Ed Mulloholland-USA Today Sports
Just like every other team in the NFL, the New York Jets are struggling to solidify who they are going to pick with their ninth and 13th overall picks, let alone what position of emphasis they want to upgrade with these picks. Almost every analyst has covered every hole that the Jets have in their mock drafts, now it’s a matter of which analyst was right in which position the Jets will go for. There are two different routes. There is the right way and then there is the fans’ way, but believe it or not, they might need to go the fans’ way in this draft.
As of late, many of the analysts have swayed more towards the holes on the offensive line as an area in which the Jets will address with their two first round picks. I have already put out an article on how crucial it is for the Jets and how they cannot afford to draft a bust, but they also can’t afford to disappoint the fans.
Any Jet fan, or NFL fan for that matter, despite maybe a desperate need at an offensive line position, wants to see their team draft a top skill position prospect in the first round, or big name pass rusher, or lock down defensive back. While an offensive guard, for example, might be needed on a team, the reality is the fans would rather see the skill positions listed above as the rookies on their favorite team. There is no doubt that the Jets fans are like this now.
Jet fans have had to deal with a lot over the past few years. Between crushing losing efforts, senseless contracts, and mishandling of rosters/depth charts, Jet fans are looking for a change.
Analysts have recently deemed the Jets to pick up an offensive guard, specifically either Chance Warmack, or Jonathan Cooper. While both are good offensive line prospects and the Jets definitely need help here, it won’t be an exciting pick up if the Jets do go this route.
The Jets are also projected to pick up defensive ends, as I have stated multiple times in previous articles. A pass rusher is a desperate need for the Jets, and there are multiple ones out there on the big board that they can pick up. This is an addition where fans will be excited to see him play on the field, and it’s a necessary pick.
Projections also have them taking tight end Tyler Eifert or wideout Tavon Austin. Both prospects are intriguing and play skill positions that fans will most definitely be excited about. Fans won’t be able to wait till either one of these receivers catches their first pass and critics start to hype him up.
And finally, obviously, if the Jets were to pick up a quarterback during this draft, it may not be the most exciting. This draft class doesn’t have any great quarterback prospects, and many analysts don’t see a starting quarterback in this draft. That pick would still be the most interesting. Going into training camp with an open five man competition for the starting spot could be very interesting, and it’s always intriguing to see what quarterbacks come out of nowhere to prove critics wrong and emerge as exclusive quarterbacks in the league.
Let it be clear; offensive line is a definite concern and need on the team, and if the Jets were to go this route, it would make sense and it’d be good for the team to draft a good line prospect. However, with the Jets having holes in virtually every position on a football team, the fans deserve an exciting draft. The Jets should also take that into consideration by taking a skill player or an exciting player that could be the face of the franchise, especially now with the loss of Darrelle Revis.
