2017 NFL Draft: New York Jets final grade
The Rest
Ardarius Stewart
Wide Receiver, Alabama
Ardarius Stewart is great with the ball in his hands. He is not a strong route runner or deep field presence, but he is precise in his movements and has great size and abilities. Stewart has dealt with poor quarterback play throughout his career, so he may actually appreciate what the Jets currently have. He is one of the more underrated receivers in the class, so his selection is great value, but it can be questioned whether wide receiver was their greatest need.
Chad Hansen
Wide Receiver, Cal
Hansen is another possession receiver who is skilled with the ball in his hands. He can excel with poor quarterback play, like Stewart due to the ability to make plays near the line of scrimmage. Robbie Anderson emerged last season as a deep threat. Devin Smith is a deep threat on paper as well. Quincy Enunwa is a hybrid chess piece, but with the additions of Stewart and Hansen and how they mesh in with Anderson, Smith, and Enunwa, it may be a sign that Eric Decker, like his teammate Brandon Marshall, is on the way out for youth.
Jordan Leggett
Tight End, Clemson
The Jets truly do not have a capable tight end on the roster. Enunwa is a de facto tight end, but hardly plays inline and is not the strongest blocker. Leggett most certainly is a tight end, but he is not much of a blocker either. He has described himself as a lazy blocker and lapses in play are the reason he is around this late. Still, when looking at the depth chart he should be the team’s starting tight end very soon, and that is not bad value in the fifth round.
Dylan Donahue
Edge Rusher, West Georgia
Donahue is an edge talent and a small school bet. He is a bit undersized, but the Jets need outside linebacker help in the worst way, and Donahue has special teams ability that should find him on the final 53-man roster.
Elijah McGuire
Running Back, UL-Laffayette
McGuire is a very underrated running back in this class. He comes from a small school, but is very fluid in movement and has great agility. His vision and pass protection need work, but he can learn from two crafty veterans in Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, and should be the third back New York with upside to be better.
Jeremy Clark
Cornerback, Michigan
Clark would have gone a lot higher but he tore his ACL last season. Clark has great size, pedigree and has some solid tape. The Jets are not competing for a Super Bowl next year, so Clark could be a practice squad player who eases into play this year and competes to be a starter in 2018.
Derrick Jones
Cornerback, Ole Miss
Do you think the Jets knew they needed secondary help? Jones is long but rail thin and is inexperienced and raw at cornerback. However, from a length, weight and athleticism viewpoint he has upside, and as mentioned, the Jets have time to turn their late round projects into potential starters.
Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time