The New York Jets came into the 2017 NFL Draft with the sixth overall pick in the first round, and here is how we think they made out.
During the 2017 offseason, the New York Jets have stripped down their team, as one by one, their veterans have found new homes. Gone are the likes of Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, and Darrelle Revis, all of whom have played a key role in the team’s success over the past few seasons. It is a time for rebuilding for a franchise that has not been to the Super Bowl since 1969.
The Jets came into the draft with plenty of needs, including a gaping hole at the quarterback position. Last year, New York spent a second round pick on Christian Hackenberg, who did not play a snap in the regular season. The year before, they made Bryce Petty their fourth-round selection, and he has yet to develop into a player they could see being their long-term solution at the position.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Jets seriously need help in the secondary, where they have been unable to stop the pass in recent years. They had hoped Revis would revert back to his old form after coming back from the New England Patriots, but he just looked slow and uninterested last season. A year removed from going 10-6, the Jets finished the year at 5-11, and this draft will hopefully be a step in the right direction.
On Thursday night, the Jets had the sixth-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and they decided to select LSU safety Jamal Adams with the pick. Adams was considered by some experts as the best overall player in this draft class, and the fact that he fell to the Jets, has to be exciting for fans of the team. He instantly makes one of their weak spots a strength, and was actually the No. 1 player head coach Todd Bowles wanted.
Adams’ father was a first round pick of the New York Giants back in 1985, and now his son will join his day as a New York first-rounder. He is an incredible talent, and with how bad the Jets were against the pass last season, a defensive-minded coach like Bowles has got to be ecstatic with this pick.
Next: New York Jets: List of 2017 NFL Draft picks
The Jets are going to need more than just a solid first round pick to be better in 2017, as it could be another year under .500. The 2018 NFL Draft is loaded with quality talent at the quarterback position, so it is possible they can find their franchise player next year. For now, Jets fans will have to wait through another rough season, that could actually be the last for head coach Todd Bowles.
Grade: A