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Jets would have taken Todd Gurley if Leonard Williams was gone

By Russell Johnson

Sep 27, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs past Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (34) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs past Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (34) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Jets would have drafted RB Gurley if DE Leonard Williams was off the board

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The New York Jets landed themselves a steal with Leondard Williams at the #6 pick. However, the team had a back-up plan if he was no longer on the board form them to take.

According to NFL Network host Dan Hellie, the Jets were poised to take Todd Gurley at sixth overall. I had the Jets as a likely landing spot for Gurley myself. With Mariota and Winston off the board it was not likely that the Jets could address their need at quarterback.

With the acquisition of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker in 2014 it stood to reason that wide receiver was not a significant need. The Jets defensive line is already monstrous, they reacquired Cromarite and Revis at corner, and their defense overall is stacked with talent. This means that offense should be a higher priority in the draft and Gurley was by the far the highest graded offensive player available at #6. The Jets would have shocked everyone if they had taken Gurley, simply because running backs aren’t generally expected to go in the top ten anymore, but this pick would have been a great fit for them. Instead they had DE Leonard Williams fall into their hands.

Leonard Williams is arguably the best all-around player in the draft, and quite likely the best defensive player in the draft. He was projected to go in the top five. The Jets got a steal in value getting him at #6. They just didn’t really address a position of need. The acquisition of Leonard Williams has apparently put Muhammad Wilkerson on the trading block. While nobody can complain with Wilkerson’s performance on the field or with his attitude off the field, he will soon be commanding a substantial contract which could easily be in the market of $14 million a year, based on how expensive premier defensive end contracts have been going lately. The Jets may not have acquired a player at a position of need, but if they can manage to deal Wilkerson and Williams proves to be as good or better than Wilkerson, a tall order to be sure, then the Jets will have made a great move to secure cap space down the line and could potentially be bringing in more picks in addition. All in all it could be a lateral move for the Jets with picks and cap space to boot.

As for Todd Gurley, he was drafted by the St. Louis Rams. Gurley presents higher risk due to his knee injury, but he also represents high reward at the running back position. With their defense the Jets could have taken Gurley and modeled themselves on the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks of the last few years with a stifling defense and bruising run game. As it stands the Jets will have to add to their offense in the upcoming rounds of the draft if they are going to give Fitzpatrick or Geno a chance at putting their defense in a position to win them games.

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