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NFL Draft: Which teams improved the most?

By Ryan Phillips

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the crowd in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the crowd in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Leonard Williams (Southern California) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number sixth overall pick to the New York Jets in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Leonard Williams (Southern California) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number sixth overall pick to the New York Jets in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Jets

The Jets have had a fantastic offseason (when was the last time we said that?) and that continued during the draft. They were able to get the best player in this year’s draft with the sixth pick in the first round, which is always going to lead to a positive grade. USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams is an absolute stud and was the top player on many draft boards all year. He didn’t really fill a need, but when you get a chance to take the best player in the draft you do it.

The Jets continued their solid decision-making by snagging Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith in the second round. Smith has blazing speed but will need to develop as a route-runner. Still, they got a guy who can stretch opposing defenses, and that’s something they haven’t had in a long time.

Louisville edge rusher Lorenzo Mauldin won’t wow anyone right away but could turn into a solid producer with time. Fourth-round pick Bryce Petty could take a while to adjust to the NFL, since he ran a pure spread system at Baylor, but based on talent alone he’s already better than starting quarterback Geno Smith.

The Jets also snagged Texas A&M guard Jarvis Harrison went in the fifth round and I could see him turning into a solid NFL player with good coaching coaching.

All-in-all the Jets got a ton of value and that doesn’t include the fact that they got Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fifth-round pick earlier in the offseason. I can’t be the only one completely thrown off by competent moves from Gang Green’s front office. It just doesn’t feel right.

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