2017 NFL Draft: New York Jets 7-round mock

With the sixth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Jets can go a plethora of ways. How should  they let this draft play out?

The Jets are in a bit of a rebuild. After letting go of some veteran names such as Brandon Marshall and Nick Mangold, the Jets are opting for young upside to step into a new core of the team.

Before we get into the seven-round mock draft for these picks it is important to remember the conversation should not be about whether or not that player will be at that pick. Instead, the conversation should be about how that player fits. Nobody can predict a perfect draft, but it is a good exercise to understand player limitations and roles.

6

O.J. Howard

Tight End, Alabama

The Jets could go plenty of ways, especially considering the board can break so many ways this year. Either way, not matter how you look at it, Howard is the safest pick that is going to be there at pick six. Howard is a big piece that the Jets need and would reinforce an offense moving forward.

While Howard has a great catching frame, and run after the catch ability, his best attributes come as a blocker. He can pull, block as a fullback, block inline and block from the slot for screens. The Jets have a bit of an issue at the tackle position, and while there is no option worth the sixth pick on the offensive line, the best way to remedy without drafting high is adding a threat like Howard.

Howard can chip at the line, and pause pass rushers as a flare out wide receiver. The Jets have enough wide receivers to replenish the targets of Brandon Marshall. However, the addition of Howard, and the versatility they can find with him and Quincy Enunwa, with Robbie Anderson and Devin Smith hopefully being able to take the take off. It would be an offense that makes an average quarterback look good, and they can address that position in free agency or at a later point.