The New York Jets were on the cusp of the playoffs, and had they won in Week 17, they might still be playing. They didn’t, though, and will be selecting 20th overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The Jets will enter the draft with an assortment of needs, especially on the defensive side of the ball where free agents and age might threaten the Jets’ ability to contend next year.
Luckily for them, there are plenty of intriguing prospects they should target.
5. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Getty ImagesJack tore his meniscus last season and may not be ready in 2016. When healthy, though, he is arguably the best linebacker in college football, and can impact a game like few in the NFL. He has good size (6-foot-1, 245 pounds) and speed. The Jets will need youth and explosiveness in their linebacker corps, and Jack would be an instant starter if he is healthy. The health concerns mean he might fall right into the Jets’ lap.
4. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
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Like Jack, Ragland could step in and be a starter for the Jets, and there is a chance he could still be there when the Jets pick in the first round. Calvin Pace and Demario Davis are free agents. David Harris is getting old. Ragland could provide the Jets with a linebacker who can cover and play against the run, and who could develop into an occasional pass rusher.
3. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Matthew OHaren - USA TODAY SportsAs it stands, Bryce Petty is essentially the lone Jets quarterback guaranteed to return next season, and they might need to spend a high pick on one in the draft. Hackenberg won’t be a starter right away, but he is a pocket passer with very good arm strength, and has a skillset that has drawn Andrew Luck comparisons. He isn’t Luck, but can be a good pro quarterback capable of leading a team. He could go early, or in the second round.
2. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Getty ImagesDarrelle Revis is nearing the end, and Antonio Cromartie is probably gone. The Jets could use reinforcements in the secondary, and Fuller will be the best corner on the board when the Jets pick. Although he suffered torn cartilage in his knee, he should be healthy for the draft. Fuller could be an excellent NFL corner with solid cover skills and a nose for the ball. Though he does need to improve his ability to shed blockers and battle receivers in physical situations, Fuller should be an excellent weapon on the blitz.
1. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
Getty ImagesHe has excellent size at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, and knows how to get to the quarterback. Ogbah tallied 13 sacks this season, and could be versatile enough to rotate all over the field for the Jets. Ogbah is ideally suited for a 4-3 scheme, but could potentially thrive in a 3-4 and give the Jets an edge rusher who can stay on the field for all three downs. With Muhammad Wilkerson likely headed to free agency, the Jets might want to add a player like Ogbah to the mix of Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams.
