Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
One day after spending their two first-round picks on top defensive prospects, the New York Jets addressed their embattled offense on day two of the 2013 NFL Draft, bringing a new quarterback and running back into the fold.
Just as they did in round one, the Jets let the board come to them, and they got their top-rated quarterback Geno Smith (above, center) with their second-round pick, #39 overall, ending Smith’s long slide down the draft board.
Additionally, the Jets selected offensive lineman Brian Winters with their third-round pick, then capped off the Friday night festivities by trading their fourth-rounder to the New Orleans Saints for running back Chris Ivory.
The Jets’ expected acquisition of Ivory was a long time in the making, but in the end, the Jets believed they’d be getting more value with the 25-year-old Ivory than any player they could’ve taken with their fourth-round selection.
Ivory will compete with free agent addition Mike Goodson for the starting running back job in training camp.
Winters, a young man who can play tackle and guard, will likely battle Vlad Ducasse for a starting guard spot.
But the headliner, of course, will be the quarterback. Geno Smith was not expected to last all the way until the 39th overall pick, but the Jets are certainly glad he did. He’ll certainly be motivated to prove his detractors wrong.
All in all, with the additions of Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson on Thursday, along with the three players they added on Friday, the Jets have gotten a heck of a lot better in just 48 hours. They’re not done yet, either.
Halfway through his inaugural draft as an NFL general manager, John Idzik has done an admirable job. The task of building the Jets back into a playoff contender is far from over, but it’s hard not to be excited about the future.
Jon Presser is www.RantSports.com’s New York Jets Lead Columnist
Follow him on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 and on Google+
