With free agency underway and the NFL draft only a month away, teams are scrambling to fill holes and shore up weaknesses. The New York Jets enter the player acquisition season with lots of salary cap room. That’s a big advantage. However, they also have a sense of desperation after three straight subpar seasons with five or fewer victories. That’s a disadvantage. Altogether, everything adds up to the Jets having no room for error as they move through the draft.
The signings of RB Le'Veon Bell (four years at $52.5 million, $25 million guaranteed) and DL Henry Anderson (three years at $25.2 million) set the stage for the draft. Fans are already excited about the start of the season and the prospects of the Jets getting back into the playoffs. NY sports bettors are eyeing the website bet-ny.com for opportunities to make wagers on the Jets in the Future Book.
After what has already been an active free agency season, the Jets are now able to focus on the draft. The most prevalent needs by any measure are defensive lineman (pass rusher), cornerback and a deep-threat wide receiver.
The Jets go into the draft with the #3 pick. The first pick is expected to be Oklahoma Sooners QB Kyler Murray going to the Arizona Cardinals. Next up, the San Francisco 49ers are expected to take DE Nick Bosa from Ohio State. There is a longshot chance they might opt for DE Josh Allen of Kentucky over Bosa, but that is indeed a longshot at best. Either way, the Jets are expected to take the defensive end the 49ers leave on the board.
Josh Allen was the anchor of a terrific Kentucky defense in 2018. His speed, agility and instincts make him the perfect pass rusher. Since Head Coach Adam Gase and his staff have decided to stay with a 3-4 defensive alignment, Allen would be the perfect fit alongside the aforementioned Anderson. The selection of either Bosa or Allen should take the Jets no more than 30 seconds to make. For what it's worth, Alabama's Quinnen Williams is in the mix, but he's a defensive tackle and the Jets need something on the outside. After the first round, the waters start getting a little deeper since the Jets won’t pick again until the third round.
The two remaining needs will be cornerback and wide receiver. The Jets will be carefully watching the board to see what players are remaining when they get to the 67th pick. A little background information seems in order. The NCAA's leading receiver in 2018 was Andy Isabella with more than 141 yards per game. The Jets met with the U Mass WR and were impressed.
If CB JoeJuan Williams of Vanderbilt were to slip into the third round, it's quite possible the Jets would lean in that direction. If not, they should go with a WR in either Isabella (great speed and hands, small stature) or perhaps Parris Campbell of Ohio State.
It's noteworthy these are all safe picks. With no room for error, it's a good bet the Jets won’t deviate much from this analysis.