Jets dig in at Combine
INDIANAPOLIS — The Jets’ brain trust descends upon Middle America this week for an annual spectacle of stopwatches and tape measures complete with a largely useless market list of risers and fallers.
The Underwear Olympics, better known as the Scouting Combine, is filled with imaginary nonsense drummed up to keep the pre-draft chatter going for a laughably long — and unnecessary — waiting period before Mike Maccagnan & Co. are actually on the clock on April 28. The names might be new to the television and social media audience, but general managers and scouts are well aware of prospects’ skill sets by now. Here’s a closer look at some of the names the Jets will keep an eye on in Indianapolis this week:
PASS RUSHERS
Maccagnan got a gift from the football gods a year ago when Leonard Williams, who was atop some teams’ draft boards, slid to No. 6. The Jets shouldn’t bank on a repeat of that type of good fortune, but could Notre Dame outside linebacker Jaylon Smith somehow drop to within striking distance of the No. 20 pick?
Smith was destined to be a Top 10 pick before tearing his ACL and MCL in the Fiesta Bowl last month. He has the explosion, athleticism and versatility to be a game-changer when healthy, but his reconstructive knee surgery might scare off some teams. Smith obviously won’t be participating in any drills at the Combine, but interested teams will get a medical update and have an opportunity to interview him.
Eastern Kentucky defensive end/outside linebacker Noah Spence presents a different kind of risk. He’s a prodigious talent, but off-field transgressions with drugs might scare off the Jets. Some analysts believe Spence will be a Top 10 pick despite his pair of failed drug tests that ultimately got him kicked out of Ohio State. In a vacuum, he’d be an ideal 3-4 OLB in Todd Bowles’ scheme.
Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd has been touted as one of the better edge rushers, but he never had more than 6 ½ sacks in three years. At 6-4, 231 pounds, it’s unclear whether Floyd will be strong enough to shed blocks as a 3-4 OLB.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Maccagnan’s area of scouting expertise lies in the trenches, so you should feel confident that he’ll be able to identify quality OL prospects. History has shown that you don’t have to overdraft at that position — the middle rounds can yield some quality players — but that doesn’t mean the Jets should altogether dismiss the idea of grabbing a big eater in the first round.
Mississippi tackle Laremy Tunsil will be long gone when the Jets are on the clock. It’s unlikely that Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley will slide that much, but he would be a no-brainer for Maccagnan if he did. Michigan State’s Jack Conklin and Ohio State’s Taylor Decker aren’t flashy, but could make sense. Maccagnan likely has the confidence to unearth a gem offensive lineman or two in the middle and late rounds, so don’t expect him to force the issue at No. 20.
Either way, the Jets must replenish a line that includes an aging D’Brickashaw Ferguson and a pedestrian Breno Giacomini at the tackle spots.
QUARTERBACK
The Jets have made it clear that they would like to re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick (at fair market value) and continue developing Bryce Petty, but they shouldn’t hesitate to select a quarterback — even at No. 20 — if they have a conviction in one of the available signal-callers.
With Cal’s Jared Goff and Division I-AA media darling Carson Wentz likely off the board by the time the Jets are on the clock, Memphis’ Paxton Lynch or Michigan State’s Connor Cook, who skipped the Senior Bowl to rehab his sprained throwing shoulder, could be considerations.