The Jets only had six selections in the 2019 draft, but all of them could impact the team as New York heads into the summer.
Some members of the Jets organization will love the moves, either because they’ll make their jobs easier or because the picks will make the team better. But not every pick had positive consequences for all interested parties. Some veterans could lose their jobs, or face much more pressure to perform as they head into a pivotal season.
Here are top five Jets winners and losers from the 2019 NFL draft.
Winner: Gregg Williams
The Jets put an emphasis on defense in the 2019 draft, which has to have Gregg Williams excited. Four of New York’s six selections were on the defensive side of the ball – including the third overall pick and the team’s first third-rounder.
Williams wants to reshape the Jets’ defense in his own image and it will take players that fit his system. Quinnen Williams will be a force in the middle, Jachai Polite could be a terror on the edge, Blake Cashman is a stingy, quick linebacker and Blessuan Austin could turn into a solid reserve cornerback. Barring any new offseason acquisitions (like cornerback Morris Claiborne), this should be the defense Gregg Williams takes into training camp.
Loser: Darron Lee
Not only did the Jets not move Lee during the draft, but they also drafted a linebacker who could be his replacement in Minnesota’s Blake Cashman. Lee is already on the outs in New York and now he’ll need to stave off pressure from Cashman and the rest of the linebacker group after being demoted to a backup role.
Lee isn’t a starter for the Jets anymore, but he had a chance to contribute if he didn’t get traded. Now he’ll need to hope that he plays well enough for the Jets to move him, rather than hide him on the bench and release him after the season.
Winner: Leonard Williams
The Jets upgraded the defense by drafting Quinnen Williams and Jachai Polite. Both should make Leonard Williams’ job much easier heading into 2019. Williams only recorded five sacks this past season, but he had a team-high 20 quarterback hits. Playing with lineman Quinnen Williams and Henry Anderson and linebackers Polite and C.J. Mosley should help alleviate pressure on Williams and help him get more penetration in the backfield.
Williams plays well with support on the line. During his break-out year in 2016, he played with guys like Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. The addition of a fellow Williams, coupled with Anderson, Mosley, Polite and rest of the defense, should help him return to form.
Loser: Brandon Copeland
Copeland is coming off a great season, but drafting Jachai Polite means he isn’t a lock to be the Jets second outside linebacker. Polite is much younger than Copeland and much more explosive (on tape, anyway), and his third-round value means the Jets will prioritize his development before Copeland’s.
You can never have too many pass rushers, but if Polite is as good as many believed before the draft, then Copeland might find himself back on the bench.
Winner: Sam Darnold
The Jets didn’t draft any explosive weapons, but the additions of offensive lineman Chuma Edoga and tight end Trevon Wesco could help Darnold in 2019.
Edoga blocked for Darnold at USC for two years and could turn into a starter on the offensive line ahead of Brandon Shell or Kelvin Beachum. Protecting Darnold will be a top priority in 2019, and Edoga has the opportunity to be a big part of that.
Wesco, on the other hand, is a tremendous pass blocker who has a chance to start ahead of Eric Tomlinson. Wesco also has some untapped pass-catching ability, which could be huge for the offense if Adam Gase can unlock that skill set.
