NFL Draft 2015: Five players to watch for New York Jets
NFL Draft 2015: Who could the New York Jets be targeting?
In a little over a week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will head to the podium at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago to officially begin the NFL Draft.
Over the last few months, About.com has broken down everything regarding the Jets heading into the draft. There have been mock drafts, who the team shouldn't take, scouting reports and more. Now? It's time to take a look at who the team may select in the first round this coming Thursday.
Check out the 'Top 5' players the Jets may target. Agree or disagree? Let About.com know on twitter.
This article will also appear in Tuesday's edition of The Journal Inquirer.
Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for About.com Sports and The Journal Inquirer. He can be reached on twitter: @Connor_J_Hughes, or via email: Connor_J_Hughes@yahoo.com
New York Jets 2015 NFL Draft: Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon
In his two years starting at quarterback for the New York Jets, Geno Smith has left much to be desired, to say the least. The former second-round pick has been intercepted 34 times, has completed just 57.5 percent of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 71.5 in 30 games played.
The Jets sixth pick is the team's highest since 2009. Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota may be there when the team selects...
and the Jets will, and should, give serious consideration to pulling the trigger.
While Mariota isn't without flaws, if the Jets believe he can be the team's franchise signal caller the selection needs to be made. With that being said, whether or not Mariota makes it to the Jets is another question in and of itself. The Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles all appear interested in Mariota.
New York Jets 2015 NFL Draft: Dante Fowler, Outside Linebacker, Florida
Fowler is arguably the draft's most polished outside linebacker and dominant pass rusher. The hybrid linebacker, defensive end has a never-ending motor, is stout against the run and has shown the ability to get after the quarterback.
There's a strong chance Fowler is taken well before the Jets select at six, but if he slides, Todd Bowles may run to the podium himself to make the pick.
New York Jets 2015 NFL Draft: Brandon Scherff, Offensive Lineman, Iowa
It hasn't been a name mentioned much around Florham Park, but Brandon Scherff makes an awful lot of sense if he's the best available at six. Scherff can play both guard and tackle, and could slide in as the Jets starting guard before taking over for Breno Giacomini if he struggles.
While the Jets line got an added boost with the signing of James Carpenter, he's not an elite-level player. Scherff could, in a few years, replace Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson as the staple of the Jet's offensive line.
While the Jets added quite a bit to the team's receiving corps with the addition of Brandon Marshall, adding arguably the draft's top receiver wouldn't exactly be a bad thing. Last year, Cooper caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games for Alabama.
Cooper has the speed (4.42 40-yard dash) to stretch the defense, a talent the Jets are looking for. Not to mention, his size (6-1) is nice and route running impressively polished for a player entering the draft.
If there's one piece missing from the Jets defense, it's a pure pass rusher. No player in the draft has as much potential to be an elite pass rusher, from a physical and athletic standpoint, than Clemson's Vic Beasley.
His combine numbers are staggering: 4.53 second 40-yard dash, 35 reps at 225 pounds, 41-inch vertical, 130-inch broad jump, 6.91 second three-cone drill, 4.15 second 20-yard shuttle.
His college numbers just as impressive: 25 sacks in his last 26 games.
He's not as polished as Dante Fowler, but he has much more potential to be a stud.
In a little over a week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will head to the podium at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago to officially begin the NFL Draft.
Over the last few months, About.com has broken down everything regarding the Jets heading into the draft. There have been mock drafts, who the team shouldn't take, scouting reports and more. Now? It's time to take a look at who the team may select in the first round this coming Thursday.
Check out the 'Top 5' players the Jets may target. Agree or disagree? Let About.com know on twitter.
This article will also appear in Tuesday's edition of The Journal Inquirer.
Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for About.com Sports and The Journal Inquirer. He can be reached on twitter: @Connor_J_Hughes, or via email: Connor_J_Hughes@yahoo.com
New York Jets 2015 NFL Draft: Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon
In his two years starting at quarterback for the New York Jets, Geno Smith has left much to be desired, to say the least. The former second-round pick has been intercepted 34 times, has completed just 57.5 percent of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 71.5 in 30 games played.
The Jets sixth pick is the team's highest since 2009. Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota may be there when the team selects...
and the Jets will, and should, give serious consideration to pulling the trigger.
While Mariota isn't without flaws, if the Jets believe he can be the team's franchise signal caller the selection needs to be made. With that being said, whether or not Mariota makes it to the Jets is another question in and of itself. The Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles all appear interested in Mariota.
New York Jets 2015 NFL Draft: Dante Fowler, Outside Linebacker, Florida
Fowler is arguably the draft's most polished outside linebacker and dominant pass rusher. The hybrid linebacker, defensive end has a never-ending motor, is stout against the run and has shown the ability to get after the quarterback.
There's a strong chance Fowler is taken well before the Jets select at six, but if he slides, Todd Bowles may run to the podium himself to make the pick.
New York Jets 2015 NFL Draft: Brandon Scherff, Offensive Lineman, Iowa
It hasn't been a name mentioned much around Florham Park, but Brandon Scherff makes an awful lot of sense if he's the best available at six. Scherff can play both guard and tackle, and could slide in as the Jets starting guard before taking over for Breno Giacomini if he struggles.
While the Jets line got an added boost with the signing of James Carpenter, he's not an elite-level player. Scherff could, in a few years, replace Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson as the staple of the Jet's offensive line.
While the Jets added quite a bit to the team's receiving corps with the addition of Brandon Marshall, adding arguably the draft's top receiver wouldn't exactly be a bad thing. Last year, Cooper caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games for Alabama.
Cooper has the speed (4.42 40-yard dash) to stretch the defense, a talent the Jets are looking for. Not to mention, his size (6-1) is nice and route running impressively polished for a player entering the draft.
If there's one piece missing from the Jets defense, it's a pure pass rusher. No player in the draft has as much potential to be an elite pass rusher, from a physical and athletic standpoint, than Clemson's Vic Beasley.
His combine numbers are staggering: 4.53 second 40-yard dash, 35 reps at 225 pounds, 41-inch vertical, 130-inch broad jump, 6.91 second three-cone drill, 4.15 second 20-yard shuttle.
His college numbers just as impressive: 25 sacks in his last 26 games.
He's not as polished as Dante Fowler, but he has much more potential to be a stud.
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