Between the opening of free agency on March 13 and the NFL draft on April 25, the Jets’ list of needs will change dramatically.
Free agent signings will dictate which positions of need general manager Mike Maccagnan needs to target in the draft, while draft picks will determine what holes New York needs before training camp begins in July.
Predicting when and where the Jets will address roster weaknesses is a near-impossible science. With an assortment of talented players on the free agent market and in the draft, only the team brass knows how they’ll go about filling the 53-man roster.
With that in mind, Jets Wire has found a free agent and draft pick to address each of Gang Green’s biggest needs. Let’s get into it beginning on the offensive side of the ball.
Running Back
Draft Pick – Darrell Henderson, Memphis
The only way running back becomes a draft priority for the Jets is if New York strikes out on free agent targets such as Le’Veon Bell and Tevin Coleman. If that happens, Darrell Henderson should be the guy Maccagnan and company zone in on when day two of the draft begins.
Alabama’s Josh Jacobs is the consensus No. 1 running back and he’s all but a lock to go off the board in the first round. The Jets do not have a second-round pick, so that likely takes them out of play for Iowa State’s David Montgomery, Florida Atlantic’s Devin Singletary and Alabama’s Damien Harris. Henderson would not be a bad consolation prize, though.
As a junior, Henderson finished just 91 yards shy of the 2,000-yard mark. He also registered 22 rushing touchdowns and 19 receptions for 295 yards and three touchdowns. The 5-foot-9 tailback will likely be available in the third round, which puts New York in prime position to land him if he is still on the board. Henderson might not be a starter from day one, but he has the potential to turn into a solid running back in the pros.
Free Agent – Le’Veon Bell
Bell is the crowned jewel of this year’s free agent class and the running back that New York needs to take its offense to the next level in 2019.
Sam Darnold needs help under center. What better way to give it to him than adding an elite back who can both run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield? Bell’s contract demands and his inactivity in 2018 are causes for concern, but running backs of his caliber do not hit the open market often.
Unless the Jets deem his asking price to be too high, they should be all in on landing Bell. There are plenty of other talented running backs available this offseason, but none of them can match what Bell brings to the table. If the Jets want to turn it around and contend in 2019, it starts with adding All-Pro talent like him.
Wide Receiver
Draft Pick – D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
Thanks to his freakish athletic ability and standout combine performance, D.K. Metcalf is now the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2019 NFL draft. If the Jets trade down from No. 3, Metcalf should be No. 1 on their draft board as well.
Sam Darnold needs a true No. 1 wideout to throw to. Metcalf is still extremely raw and his route tree is limited, but he has the traits to turn into a dominant force on the outside. His catch radius is limitless and his physicality makes him a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks to deal with.
Metcalf at No. 3 doesn’t make much sense, but he becomes a justifiable selection if the Jets find an offer to their liking and trade down. Freak athletes like Metcalf don’t come around often. With New York’s need for a star receiver, he might be worth taking a chance on.
Free Agent – Donte Moncrief
There isn’t a true No. 1 wide receiver in this year’s free agent class, so that leaves the resurgent Donte Moncrief as the Jets’ best bet at the position.
New York has already been linked to Moncrief and it doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The Jets have plenty of money to spend and Moncrief is entering his prime after a reemergence with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018. He is a versatile threat out wide, as he is equally adept at running underneath routes and catching the deep ball.
Moncrief isn’t the star New York is searching for at receiver, but he is a very good player. Look for the Jets to make a play for the Ole Miss product in the opening hours of free agency.
Offensive Line
Draft Pick – OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
Like Metcalf, Jonah Williams becomes a realistic pick if the Jets trade down in the draft. He’s a good player, but not one to take at No. 3.
Florida’s Jawaan Taylor has emerged as the best tackle in this year’s draft class, but he only has experience playing right tackle. With Brandon Shell currently holding down that spot on New York’s offensive line, Williams comes into play with his versatility. With the ability to line up both at left tackle and as an interior lineman, the Alabama product becomes an intriguing target.
Kelvin Beachum is getting up there in age and it remains to be seen if he’ll be back with the Jets in 2019. The same goes for James Carpenter. Whether Williams’ future is at left tackle or left guard, New York could plug him in wherever they see fit and let the production come.
Free Agent – C Matt Paradis
The free agent lineman New York should prioritize does not play the same position as the one it should target in the draft.
There are not many standout centers in the draft, which means the Jets have no choice but to find a replacement for Spencer Long in free agency. Just ahead of Mitch Morse, Paradis is the best center on the market. He is consistent and durable — two traits the Jets have been lacking at the position following Nick Mangold’s departure at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Defensive Line
Draft Pick – Quinnen Williams, Alabama
The arrival of Gregg Williams in New York’s marks a new philosophy regarding defensive linemen on 1 Jets Drive. Gone are the days of slow space eaters such as Steve McLendon in favor of quicker linemen such as Alabama’s Quinnen Williams.
At 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, Williams is a rare talent. Some have dubbed him the next Aaron Donald. Others have referred to him as the most unique defensive tackle prospect in NFL draft history. Finding the right words to describe Williams is a tall task, but the decision to draft him at No. 3 is a no brainer.
Assuming he is still on the board and the Jets want to go defensive line at No. 3, Williams is the guy. He is the perfect fit in New York’s 3-4 defense and would be working alongside Leonard Williams, which would pose some serious problems for the rest of the AFC.
Free Agent – Trey Flowers
With the acquisition of Michael Bennett, Trey Flowers’ time in New England seems to be coming to an end. Could a move to the Big Apple be next for the 25-year-old?
Flowers recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2018 and fits the bill for what defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is looking for out of his linemen. Flowers has a quick first step and impacts the run game while also contributing as a pass rusher.
From a football standpoint, Flowers is the ideal defensive line signing. It also takes a talented player away from the Patriots, which should be an added incentive for the Jets.
Edge Rusher
Draft Pick – Josh Allen, Kentucky
Allen is far and away the best edge rusher in this year’s draft class. He also has the personality and work ethic to go along with a knack for wreaking havoc in opposing backfields.
Allen finished his high school career playing at Montclair and would certainly welcome a return to the Garden State if the Jets select him at No. 3. Edge rusher is an obvious need for New York, arguably its biggest. Allen would fill that void and in all likelihood, turn into one of the better players in the league at the position.
Free Agent – Justin Houston
Instead of picking between Quinnen Williams and Allen in the draft, the Jets could elect to wrap up their pursuit of a pass rusher in free agency by going out and signing Justin Houston.
Recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston has the star power to become New York’s best pass rusher since John Abraham. Injuries have been an issue for Houston over the past couple of seasons, but he has produced at a high level when healthy.
Signing Houston or any other pass rusher would allow the Jets to fill the need in free agency and take a dominant defensive lineman like Williams at No. 3, giving New York the best of both worlds. There’s not much debate as to which pass rusher should be Gang Green’s No. 1 target in free agency, though. Houston’s track record speaks for itself. Just as they should for Le’Veon Bell on offense, the Jets should go all-in to land Houston.
