Say no to QB Gang has other big holes to fill
The dizzying array of smokescreens, half-truths and outright lies in the run-up to the NFL draft on Thursday hasn’t changed this truth: The Jets have a litany of holes that must be addressed to help them become relevant again. It’s a critical moment for a franchise filled with uncertainty. GM Mike Maccagnan faces these five burning questions entering the most pivotal draft of his career:
1 SHOULD THE JETS GO ALLIN WITH A QUARTERBACK?
It’s no secret that Maccagnan has a colossal question mark at the game’s most important position, but it would be a mistake to use his first- or second-round pick on a quarterback unless he’s absolutely certain there is a can’t-miss signal caller prospect. By all accounts, such a quarterback doesn’t exist in this draft. Although the Jets have interviewed and visited with the top quarterback options, the smarter path would be to give Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty a fair and complete evaluation this season before determining how to proceed. The 2018 quarterback draft class could be loaded with two or three signal callers better than any available this weekend. If Maccagnan pulls the trigger on a first- or second-round quarterback this year, he better pick the right guy. His future with the Jets will depend on it.
2 IS THE SECONDARY THE PRIMARY FOCUS?
Todd Bowles could use an infusion of talent in his defensive backs room. If not for his team’s quarterback woes, we’d be shining a big bright light on the secondary issues that plagued this team last season. The Jets must come away with one legitimate cornerback in this cornerback-rich draft. The miss rate for first-round corners in recent years has been high, which might give the organization some pause if they are considering taking one early. There’s a belief in scouting circles that the gap between the projected top few corners and those available in the second and third rounds isn’t that wide. Although corners are typically more valued than safeties, Bowles is in dire need of safety help. History tells us that game-changing safeties can be found in the midlate first round, second round and beyond, but strong safety Jamal Adams (LSU) and ball-hawk Malik Hooker (Ohio State) will probably be worth a Top 10
investment.
3 IS IT SMART TO TRADE DOWN?
Maccagnan has made no secret of his desire to trade down early and often in this draft. It makes perfect sense given the state of his roster. There’s no elixir in this draft. No single player will magically turn the Jets from doormats to playoff contenders. It’ll take a village. Stockpiling picks is a wise move, but will the Jets have any takers for the No. 6 pick? Word on the street is that they’re not the only team in the Top 6 looking to slide down. The Browns’ desire to move up from the No. 12 position has been gaining momentum in the past week. A Jets-Browns swap would be a win-win if UNC quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is on the board when the Jets are on the clock. Cleveland could vault up to get its franchise quarterback, while Gang Green could drop to No. 12 and pick up one of the Browns’ second-rounders and a late-rounder. A trade-down is the ideal scenario.
4 WOULD IT BE CRAZY TO DRAFT A RUNNING BACK IN THE FIRST ROUND?
This position has been devalued in recent years, but exceptions should be made for special talents. Well, LSU freight train Leonard Fournette classifies as an exception. He’s a once-in-a-decade player who would instantly upgrade one of the worst offenses in the league. There are fair concerns about Fournette’s long-term durability given his punishing running style (and questions about an ankle issue that might ultimately require surgery), but he’d be an instant difference maker. In case you lived in a cave last year, the Jets don’t exactly have any offensive difference makers at the moment. With Bilal Powell and Matt Forte on the roster, running back isn’t an area of immediate need. Remember, defensive line wasn’t an area of need two years ago when Maccagnan drafted Leonard Williams. That turned out pretty good.
5DOES TRADING SHELDON RICHARDSON MAKE SENSE?
The Jets gauged Richardson’s market value before last year’s trade deadline. The asking price was too rich for anyone’s blood. Richardson’s current trade value pales in comparison to his talent level, so why ditch him for 50 cents on the dollar? The case to keep Richardson isn’t overly complicated. If Mo Wilkerson, who bombed after cashing in last summer with a mega-deal that included $36-plus million guaranteed at signing, underperforms for a second consecutive season, then the Jets can release him (with manageable financial damage). If Richardson bounces back from his forgettable 2016, the team can conceivably sign him to a long-term deal. The Jets, of course, could package Richardson in a deal to move up in the draft, but that would be a waste of a tremendous asset. Richardson’s contract situation also makes it increasingly difficult to trade him during the draft.