The Jets have done well to fill an assortment of holes in free agency, but there is still work to be done in the upcoming 2019 NFL draft.
In 10 days, general manager Mike Maccagnan and the rest of New York’s front office will get to work on rounding out a roster that has the potential to contend next season. If the Jets hit on players at positions of need in the draft, they will be in good shape moving forward.
What needs are left for New York to address? Here’s a look at some of the positions the Jets will target in the draft.
EDGE
New York’s draft needs center around landing an edge rusher. For years, the Jets have lacked an elite pass rusher. This year, they will have a chance to land one with the No. 3 overall pick.
At this point in time, it looks like Kentucky outside linebacker Josh Allen would be the pick barring Ohio State defensive end miraculously falling to the Jets. Regardless of who New York elects to take at No. 3, it needs to be a player who can consistently get to opposing quarterbacks.
Center
After missing out on a center in free agency, the position should be one of New York’s main priorities throughout the draft.
There is no elite center in this year’s draft class, but there are a couple of intriguing options. N.C. State’s Garrett Bradbury has emerged as a potential plug-and-play option on the line, while Texas A&M’s Erik McCoy has the skill set and football I.Q. to be a starter from day one as well.
If the Jets fail to land a center during the draft, Jonotthan Harrison will go into training camp as the starter. Rolling with a career backup is a risk, so it would behoove New York to select a center.
Cornerback
Other than Trumaine Johnson, who struggled mightily in his first season with the Jets, New York lacks a proven cornerback who can step in and start on the outside.
Fortunately for the Jets, this year’s cornerback class is a deep one. Taking one at No. 3 would be beyond a reach, but New York should still be able to land a solid player in the middle rounds of the draft. Unless the Jets are comfortable are rolling out Darryl Roberts as the starter opposite of Johnson without any training camp competition, they need to draft a corner.
Wide Receiver
Jamison Crowder gives Sam Darnold another weapon to throw to, but the Jets could still do a little more to help out their second-year quarterback in the draft.
This year’s draft doesn’t feature a bonafide star at receiver, but there are plenty of solid options out there. The Ole Miss duo of D.K. Metcalf and AJ Brown have the potential to turn into stars, while Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry’s frame and catch radius have scouts salivating.
It’s unlikely New York takes a receiver with its first two picks, but there will be plenty of solid depth pieces available in the middle rounds.
