If These Things Don't Happen Jets Draft is A Failure

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NFL Draft 2017: If these 7 things don't happen, Jets' draft is a failure

Updated April 25, 2017 
Posted April 25, 2017

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By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The 2017 NFL Draft begins Thursday in Philadelphia. What will the New York Jets do? Draft a quarterback like Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson? Take LSU running back Leonard Fournette at No. 6? Nobody knows for sure right now. But if the following things don't happen, then the Jets' 2017 draft will be a failure. If the Jets stick to the following advice, then it'll be a success ... 

 

1. AVOID REACHING FOR QB AT NO. 6

 

The bottom line is this: None of the top four quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft is considered a sure-thing prospect. Not Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, or Patrick Mahomes II. Would it be wise for the Jets to take any of those guys at No. 6? That's the burning question the Jets face entering Thursday. We like Watson the best of this group, but it's not like he's an Andrew Luck type. 

 

Trubisky and Watson are really the only reasonable options at No. 6. Kizer and Mahomes should absolutely not go that high. If the Jets truly like Trubisky or Watson, then they should stick with their convictions and go with the pick at No. 6, even though they will be criticized for it. 

 

But just a year after taking Christian Hackenberg in Round 2, and after he looked so raw last preseason, it makes little sense for the Jets to reach for a quarterback at No. 6 — even a slight reach — just because they have a murky quarterback situation. If they really love a prospect this year, take him. But don't reach. Better to evaluate Hackenberg in 2017 and then reevaluate the position for next year's draft, if you need to do that. 

2. ADDRESS SECONDARY

The Jets are rebuilding their secondary this offseason, and there are a bunch of different directions they could go in this draft. We really like free safety Malik Hooker as an option for them at No. 6. It seems unlikely strong safety Jamal Adams will fall to No. 6, but if he does, the Jets should pounce on him.

In terms of cornerbacks, the Jets don't need to take one at No. 6, necessarily, because this is such a deep year for cornerbacks. The Jets can probably get a very good corner early in Round 2, even if they take Hooker at No. 6.

There would be absolutely nothing wrong with the Jets going heavy on their secondary early in this draft. Whatever they do, the Jets have to come out of this draft with some significant secondary help. 

Big-time prospect

Will Jets draft next Ed Reed?

3. PICK TE REASONABLY HIGH

Alabama tight end O.J. Howard is a fascinating prospect, and we'd be fine with the Jets taking him at No. 6, even thought tight ends traditionally don't go that high. Howard is a do-it-all tight end. 

He can help as a pass catcher, and he's also a willing run blocker, which is important in today's NFL, because so many tight ends are one dimensional. Howard would be an instant boost for the Jets' offense, which has gotten basically zero tight end production the past two years.

Even if the Jets don't draft Howard at No. 6, they ought to strongly consider taking a tight end in Round 2 or 3. They need young talent at the position. And they need it now. 

Who looks good?

Best QBs for Jets in draft

4. AVOID TAKING OT HIGH

This is not a strong year for offensive tackle talent in the draft. Cam Robinson and Ryan Ramczyk are OK enough players, but they're not can't-miss, elite talents.  

The Jets ideally should get younger at offensive tackle, but they don't have a pressing need at the position, after they signed Kelvin Beachum in the offseason already, and also re-signed Ben Ijalana. They just drafted Brandon Shell in Round 5 last year, too. 

It would be a mistake for the Jets to go after an offensive tackle high in this draft, even in Round 2, and we don't think they'll do it. 

Follow along

Jets offseason moves tracker

5. STAY TOTALLY AWAY FROM JOE MIXON

You know his history by now. The running back is a tremendous talent on the field, but he is best known for punching a woman in the face in 2014 — a vile act that should not be dismissed as youthful indiscretion. Bottom line: The Jets need to stay away from Joe Mixon.

We have no problem with the Jets addressing the running back position in this draft. They need to get younger there. Matt Forte is fading. And Bilal Powell isn't a legit No. 1 back. So maybe the Jets will take Leonard Fournette at No. 6. Just avoid Mixon. He isn't worth the trouble for the Jets. 

Based on what Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said when asked about the Mixon situation Monday, we would be very surprised if he took Mixon. Click here to read Maccagnan's comments. 

Who looked good?

Jets prospects who impressed at Combine

6. AVOID PICKING TOO MUCH BASED ON NEED

This is an obvious one every year, and we don't think Maccagnan will do it, if only because he constantly speaks about the dangers that come with picking too much based on need.

Maccagnan said he will use positional need to break ties among players on his draft board. But he doesn't like making need the basis of a pick. Which is a wise approach.

He just needs to stick with it for this draft. It shouldn't be a problem, since the Jets have so many needs that they can't really go wrong. 

Will Jets trade Sheldon Richardson?

He could be shipped off

7. AVOID TEMPTATION TO TRADE UP

This would be completely idiotic, and Maccagnan is a sensible enough general manager (we think) to avoid the temptation of moving up.

A rebuilding team like the Jets needs to stockpile picks, not trade them away. The more picks, the better, for a team in this situation, as it tries to rebuild through the draft. If anything, expect the Jets to move down from No. 6, in order to acquire some more picks.

But they can get a very good player at No. 6, so there is really no sense in moving up, especially in a draft class lacking a sure-thing star franchise quarterback.

That would really be the only reason to move up from No. 6 to a higher position. And as we mentioned, Trubisky and Watson don't do it for us, in terms of being move-up trade worthy. 

[BornJetsFan1983]

who wrote this? garbage. "Pick TE reasonably high" great idea!!! Maybe we can also avoid the line and RB again! 

[Beerfish]

Two years from now Mixon will be one of the top backs in the league and everyone and their dog will be lamenting not overlooking his young kid indiscretion.  I have no issue if he is off the jets board but just making an observation.

Most of what the guy says is basically common sense but for me it ill be a fail if we cannot traded down in the 1st or 2nd round.

I am very fearful that we are going to get f'ed by Tennessee trading down just in front of us.

[peebag]

10 minutes ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

who wrote this? garbage. "Pick TE reasonably high" great idea!!! Maybe we can also avoid the line and RB again! 

picken's are getting slim around Draft day....

[Stonehands]

Avoid taking an OT too high?  Huh?  OT is one of the weakest positions in this draft.  If you want to take one, you are going to have to reach.  Either avoid taking an OT at all or pay the price.  Same thing goes with QB in this draft.  The advice to avoid taking them too high is very naive and assumes that if we don't take them, they will fall an additional round to where we could get them later.  

[Augustiniak]

1 minute ago, Stonehands said:

Avoid taking an OT too high?  Huh?  OT is one of the weakest positions in this draft.  If you want to take one, you are going to have to reach.  Either avoid taking an OT at all or pay the price.  Same thing goes with QB in this draft.  The advice to avoid taking them too high is very naive and assumes that if we don't take them, they will fall an additional round to where we could get them later.  

i wonder if this factored into mccags' decision to trade this year's 4th to get upshaw last year.  also wonder if he looked at the qbs in this year's draft last year and thought he was better off trying to develop hackenberg.  we shall see very soon.

[Fantasy Island]

11 minutes ago, Beerfish said:

Two years from now Mixon will be one of the top backs in the league and everyone and their dog will be lamenting not overlooking his young kid indiscretion.  I have no issue if he is off the jets board but just making an observation.

Most of what the guy says is basically common sense but for me it ill be a fail if we cannot traded down in the 1st or 2nd round.

I am very fearful that we are going to get f'ed by Tennessee trading down just in front of us.

Maybe we draft him and get Ron Mexico to be his Mentor.

[SMC]

If you like the QB, take the QB at 6.  There's is no such thing as "reaching" for a QB in the first round IF you think the QB is a first round talent.

[Augustiniak]

2 minutes ago, SMC said:

If you like the QB, take the QB at 6.  There's is no such thing as "reaching" for a QB in the first round IF you think the QB is a first round talent.

conceptually i agree.  if you need a qb and you have the qb ranked 20th, i see the logic in taking him b/c if he pans out you win.  that said i do  not think the jets will be going qb in round 1.

[dbatesman]

1. Draft good players

2. Don't draft bad players

3. Don't draft a QB, unless you really like one, in which case sure, go ahead, draft a QB

[Skeptable]

3 hours ago, flgreen said:

NFL Draft 2017: If these 7 things don't happen, Jets' draft is a failure

Updated April 25, 2017 
Posted April 25, 2017

0shares

0 Comment

 

By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The 2017 NFL Draft begins Thursday in Philadelphia. What will the New York Jets do? Draft a quarterback like Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson? Take LSU running back Leonard Fournette at No. 6? Nobody knows for sure right now. But if the following things don't happen, then the Jets' 2017 draft will be a failure. If the Jets stick to the following advice, then it'll be a success ... 

 

1. AVOID REACHING FOR QB AT NO. 6

 

The bottom line is this: None of the top four quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft is considered a sure-thing prospect. Not Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, or Patrick Mahomes II. Would it be wise for the Jets to take any of those guys at No. 6? That's the burning question the Jets face entering Thursday. We like Watson the best of this group, but it's not like he's an Andrew Luck type. 

 

Trubisky and Watson are really the only reasonable options at No. 6. Kizer and Mahomes should absolutely not go that high. If the Jets truly like Trubisky or Watson, then they should stick with their convictions and go with the pick at No. 6, even though they will be criticized for it. 

 

But just a year after taking Christian Hackenberg in Round 2, and after he looked so raw last preseason, it makes little sense for the Jets to reach for a quarterback at No. 6 — even a slight reach — just because they have a murky quarterback situation. If they really love a prospect this year, take him. But don't reach. Better to evaluate Hackenberg in 2017 and then reevaluate the position for next year's draft, if you need to do that. 

2. ADDRESS SECONDARY

The Jets are rebuilding their secondary this offseason, and there are a bunch of different directions they could go in this draft. We really like free safety Malik Hooker as an option for them at No. 6. It seems unlikely strong safety Jamal Adams will fall to No. 6, but if he does, the Jets should pounce on him.

In terms of cornerbacks, the Jets don't need to take one at No. 6, necessarily, because this is such a deep year for cornerbacks. The Jets can probably get a very good corner early in Round 2, even if they take Hooker at No. 6.

There would be absolutely nothing wrong with the Jets going heavy on their secondary early in this draft. Whatever they do, the Jets have to come out of this draft with some significant secondary help. 

Big-time prospect

Will Jets draft next Ed Reed?

3. PICK TE REASONABLY HIGH

Alabama tight end O.J. Howard is a fascinating prospect, and we'd be fine with the Jets taking him at No. 6, even thought tight ends traditionally don't go that high. Howard is a do-it-all tight end. 

He can help as a pass catcher, and he's also a willing run blocker, which is important in today's NFL, because so many tight ends are one dimensional. Howard would be an instant boost for the Jets' offense, which has gotten basically zero tight end production the past two years.

Even if the Jets don't draft Howard at No. 6, they ought to strongly consider taking a tight end in Round 2 or 3. They need young talent at the position. And they need it now. 

Who looks good?

Best QBs for Jets in draft

4. AVOID TAKING OT HIGH

This is not a strong year for offensive tackle talent in the draft. Cam Robinson and Ryan Ramczyk are OK enough players, but they're not can't-miss, elite talents.  

The Jets ideally should get younger at offensive tackle, but they don't have a pressing need at the position, after they signed Kelvin Beachum in the offseason already, and also re-signed Ben Ijalana. They just drafted Brandon Shell in Round 5 last year, too. 

It would be a mistake for the Jets to go after an offensive tackle high in this draft, even in Round 2, and we don't think they'll do it. 

Follow along

Jets offseason moves tracker

5. STAY TOTALLY AWAY FROM JOE MIXON

You know his history by now. The running back is a tremendous talent on the field, but he is best known for punching a woman in the face in 2014 — a vile act that should not be dismissed as youthful indiscretion. Bottom line: The Jets need to stay away from Joe Mixon.

We have no problem with the Jets addressing the running back position in this draft. They need to get younger there. Matt Forte is fading. And Bilal Powell isn't a legit No. 1 back. So maybe the Jets will take Leonard Fournette at No. 6. Just avoid Mixon. He isn't worth the trouble for the Jets. 

Based on what Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said when asked about the Mixon situation Monday, we would be very surprised if he took Mixon. Click here to read Maccagnan's comments. 

Who looked good?

Jets prospects who impressed at Combine

6. AVOID PICKING TOO MUCH BASED ON NEED

This is an obvious one every year, and we don't think Maccagnan will do it, if only because he constantly speaks about the dangers that come with picking too much based on need.

Maccagnan said he will use positional need to break ties among players on his draft board. But he doesn't like making need the basis of a pick. Which is a wise approach.

He just needs to stick with it for this draft. It shouldn't be a problem, since the Jets have so many needs that they can't really go wrong. 

Will Jets trade Sheldon Richardson?

He could be shipped off

7. AVOID TEMPTATION TO TRADE UP

This would be completely idiotic, and Maccagnan is a sensible enough general manager (we think) to avoid the temptation of moving up.

A rebuilding team like the Jets needs to stockpile picks, not trade them away. The more picks, the better, for a team in this situation, as it tries to rebuild through the draft. If anything, expect the Jets to move down from No. 6, in order to acquire some more picks.

But they can get a very good player at No. 6, so there is really no sense in moving up, especially in a draft class lacking a sure-thing star franchise quarterback.

That would really be the only reason to move up from No. 6 to a higher position. And as we mentioned, Trubisky and Watson don't do it for us, in terms of being move-up trade worthy. 

Shame, Shame... you don't link the article nor give credit to the author.... That's just wrong.

[Integrity28]

27 minutes ago, dbatesman said:

1. Draft good players

2. Don't draft bad players

3. Don't draft a QB, unless you really like one, in which case sure, go ahead, draft a QB, but make sure he's not a reach, but if he is a reach, have evidence that you privately worked him out, and footwork and Brady comparisons, and a much, much bigger ocean

Agreed.

[Ken Schroy]

40 minutes ago, dbatesman said:

1. Draft good players

2. Don't draft bad players

3. Don't draft a QB, unless you really like one, in which case sure, go ahead, draft a QB

Yeah, kind of like playing the stock market. Buy low, sell high.

[nyjbuddy]

Isn't number 2/3 and number 6 a little contradictory?  "Address the secondary" would be drafting for need, but then "Avoid picking too much based on need".  "Even if the Jets don't draft Howard at No. 6, they ought to strongly consider taking a tight end in Round 2 or 3. They need young talent at the position. And they need it now."... but "Avoid picking too much based on need".   

[JustInFudge]

57 minutes ago, dbatesman said:

1. Draft good players

2. Don't draft bad players

3. Don't draft a QB, unless you really like one, in which case sure, go ahead, draft a QB

Enlightening article, really. 

[PepPep]

1 hour ago, Stonehands said:

Avoid taking an OT too high?  Huh?  OT is one of the weakest positions in this draft.  If you want to take one, you are going to have to reach.  Either avoid taking an OT at all or pay the price.  Same thing goes with QB in this draft.  The advice to avoid taking them too high is very naive and assumes that if we don't take them, they will fall an additional round to where we could get them later.  

I posted this same article in a different thread. 

But I completely agree with it. 

I think he is right about OT. This is a 'weak' draft at OT but only b/c there are only a couple on top tier, NFL ready OTs. That does not, however mean there are no good OT prospects. It just happens that those prospects are developmental. While reaching for an OT will yield a guy like Ramzcyk or Robinson or Bolles. I think you are better off with one of the developmental guys later on- like Moton, Garcia, Wheeler, Davenport, Holden, etc.   

Pretty much the same goes for QBs. There is no sure fire prospect, so don;t use the 6th overall pick. Not to mention that the Jets have Hack, who, at some point, they will need to figure out if he can be 'the guy'. Not to mention that 2018 is expected to be a very strong draft at QB, and the trajectory of the team i looking like they will not win very many games this year- putting them in position to possibly draft one of those top QB prospects in 2018. 

This is not about assuming that these prospects will fall. It's about not reaching for prospects- at all. Which is also why he goes on to say that the Jets need to avoid drafting too much based of need (Macc will not do that anyway).  

[PepPep]

23 minutes ago, nyjbuddy said:

Isn't number 2/3 and number 6 a little contradictory?  "Address the secondary" would be drafting for need, but then "Avoid picking too much based on need".  "Even if the Jets don't draft Howard at No. 6, they ought to strongly consider taking a tight end in Round 2 or 3. They need young talent at the position. And they need it now."... but "Avoid picking too much based on need".   

I mean, you're nit-picking. Jets have needs all over the place. They can easily draft BPA and still address a need. Clearly, Slater is saying don't focus on need TOO MUCH- in part, b/c you have needs all over the place. You know you need to address the secondary and TE positions- and unlike QB and OT- two other clear 'need' positions, this draft is stacked with CB/S and TE talent. Getting a good one is CRITICAL. That may be where he was headed with that.

Anyway, I agree with all of his points- except maybe about trading up. Because I feel like if the Jets trade down in the first and add picks or trade Richardson and add a pick, I have no problem with them moving up for a player they really want- that is what matters most, getting the guy you want.     

[Sperm Edwards]

1 hour ago, dbatesman said:

1. Draft good players

2. Don't draft bad players

3. Don't draft a QB, unless you really like one, in which case sure, go ahead, draft a QB

My favorite takeaway from this asshat:

#2 - rebuild the secondary because the current roster needs that so badly. So totally, take a strong safety at #6 in the country.

#5 - avoid drafting based on need

rofl

[varjet]

I don't like to be critical of someone else's work, but this article is terrible.

Fortunately for the Jets, although they have so many needs, their most acute needs are the strengths of the draft.

But rather than pure BPA, they should look at add 7 football players that are better than the players they already have on the team in some form.

So from my perspective, if they do not do the following, the Jets draft is a failure:

1)  Draft at least one CB who can start.  Can you say Dexter McDougal?  Marcus Williams and Morris Claiborne are on one year deals.  And then there is Darryl Roberts.  If the Jets do not think Burris can be a starter, they need 2.  Claiborne will not play 16 games.

2)  Draft a FS who can start in 2017.  Gilcrist may not be ready to play in September, and the other safeties are more SS.  This is a sobering thought, but the Jets may not have ANY FS that can start week 1 on the roster now, notwithstanding an ability level.  I think its safe to say that there could be safeties that could start that can be picked through the 3rd round.   It would nice if they can upgrade SS, but they Jets do have Pryor up to 2 years, Middleton, Martin.  Actually, the Jets need TWO NEW SAFETIES.

3) Draft at least 2 TEs that can start/play opening day.  There is no starting TE on the roster right now.

4)  Draft a RB that can potentially start in 2018.  At least Forte should be gone in 2018.

5)  The other needs are nice to haves.

This is the state right now of the Jets roster:  No real QB, No NFL quality TEs, questionable CBs, best safety Pryor.

This is the draft that can address these needs.   If they don't fill these holes the season will end very, very badly.  NFL teams can fail based on their weakest link-we have seen this before.  If people want to keep their jobs, they need to make sure there are no broken links on this team.  The team has many weak leaks, but CB, S, TE are broken.   

[Sperm Edwards]

Drafting for niche need for this upcoming season is moronic. Short of drafting a lights-out rookie QB, we could take 5 of the top 6 prospects this year and we still wouldn't make the playoffs (let alone win a SB).  

[GKnight83]

I am certain my German Shepherd dogs are smarter than Darryl Slater or anyone at NJ.com in general!

[Il Mostro]

I guess our draft is already a failure.

[flgreen]

4 hours ago, Skeptable said:

Shame, Shame... you don't link the article nor give credit to the author.... That's just wrong.

Shame shame, authors name is right on article, where it belongs.  

 

 

By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

[ASH1962]

So in other words, anything that we do will be wrong.

[Stonehands]

6 hours ago, PepPep said:

I posted this same article in a different thread. 

But I completely agree with it. 

I think he is right about OT. This is a 'weak' draft at OT but only b/c there are only a couple on top tier, NFL ready OTs. That does not, however mean there are no good OT prospects. It just happens that those prospects are developmental. While reaching for an OT will yield a guy like Ramzcyk or Robinson or Bolles. I think you are better off with one of the developmental guys later on- like Moton, Garcia, Wheeler, Davenport, Holden, etc.   

Pretty much the same goes for QBs. There is no sure fire prospect, so don;t use the 6th overall pick. Not to mention that the Jets have Hack, who, at some point, they will need to figure out if he can be 'the guy'. Not to mention that 2018 is expected to be a very strong draft at QB, and the trajectory of the team i looking like they will not win very many games this year- putting them in position to possibly draft one of those top QB prospects in 2018. 

This is not about assuming that these prospects will fall. It's about not reaching for prospects- at all. Which is also why he goes on to say that the Jets need to avoid drafting too much based of need (Macc will not do that anyway).  

We will agree to disagree on that.  My feeling is you avoid drafting a RB too high because there is quality later in the draft because the position is deep.  With a weak position like OT, if you want to avoid over drafting one, be prepared to go without.

[rangerous]

16 hours ago, nyjbuddy said:

Isn't number 2/3 and number 6 a little contradictory?  "Address the secondary" would be drafting for need, but then "Avoid picking too much based on need".  "Even if the Jets don't draft Howard at No. 6, they ought to strongly consider taking a tight end in Round 2 or 3. They need young talent at the position. And they need it now."... but "Avoid picking too much based on need".   

i think the whole difference between bpa and drafting for need arguments are a little overblown. any team that doesn't consider what players they need while drafting is foolish.  i can see the need not being the main factor but it is a factor. the main key is to not overpay for the selected players. imo right now the jets have a lot of positional needs so it's going to be hard for them to select players they don't need or can't fit in.

[jack48]

20 hours ago, flgreen said:

NFL Draft 2017: If these 7 things don't happen, Jets' draft is a failure

Updated April 25, 2017 
Posted April 25, 2017

0shares

0 Comment

 

By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The 2017 NFL Draft begins Thursday in Philadelphia. What will the New York Jets do? Draft a quarterback like Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson? Take LSU running back Leonard Fournette at No. 6? Nobody knows for sure right now. But if the following things don't happen, then the Jets' 2017 draft will be a failure. If the Jets stick to the following advice, then it'll be a success ... 

 

1. AVOID REACHING FOR QB AT NO. 6

 

The bottom line is this: None of the top four quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft is considered a sure-thing prospect. Not Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, or Patrick Mahomes II. Would it be wise for the Jets to take any of those guys at No. 6? That's the burning question the Jets face entering Thursday. We like Watson the best of this group, but it's not like he's an Andrew Luck type. 

 

Trubisky and Watson are really the only reasonable options at No. 6. Kizer and Mahomes should absolutely not go that high. If the Jets truly like Trubisky or Watson, then they should stick with their convictions and go with the pick at No. 6, even though they will be criticized for it. 

 

But just a year after taking Christian Hackenberg in Round 2, and after he looked so raw last preseason, it makes little sense for the Jets to reach for a quarterback at No. 6 — even a slight reach — just because they have a murky quarterback situation. If they really love a prospect this year, take him. But don't reach. Better to evaluate Hackenberg in 2017 and then reevaluate the position for next year's draft, if you need to do that. 

2. ADDRESS SECONDARY

The Jets are rebuilding their secondary this offseason, and there are a bunch of different directions they could go in this draft. We really like free safety Malik Hooker as an option for them at No. 6. It seems unlikely strong safety Jamal Adams will fall to No. 6, but if he does, the Jets should pounce on him.

In terms of cornerbacks, the Jets don't need to take one at No. 6, necessarily, because this is such a deep year for cornerbacks. The Jets can probably get a very good corner early in Round 2, even if they take Hooker at No. 6.

There would be absolutely nothing wrong with the Jets going heavy on their secondary early in this draft. Whatever they do, the Jets have to come out of this draft with some significant secondary help. 

Big-time prospect

Will Jets draft next Ed Reed?

3. PICK TE REASONABLY HIGH

Alabama tight end O.J. Howard is a fascinating prospect, and we'd be fine with the Jets taking him at No. 6, even thought tight ends traditionally don't go that high. Howard is a do-it-all tight end. 

He can help as a pass catcher, and he's also a willing run blocker, which is important in today's NFL, because so many tight ends are one dimensional. Howard would be an instant boost for the Jets' offense, which has gotten basically zero tight end production the past two years.

Even if the Jets don't draft Howard at No. 6, they ought to strongly consider taking a tight end in Round 2 or 3. They need young talent at the position. And they need it now. 

Who looks good?

Best QBs for Jets in draft

4. AVOID TAKING OT HIGH

This is not a strong year for offensive tackle talent in the draft. Cam Robinson and Ryan Ramczyk are OK enough players, but they're not can't-miss, elite talents.  

The Jets ideally should get younger at offensive tackle, but they don't have a pressing need at the position, after they signed Kelvin Beachum in the offseason already, and also re-signed Ben Ijalana. They just drafted Brandon Shell in Round 5 last year, too. 

It would be a mistake for the Jets to go after an offensive tackle high in this draft, even in Round 2, and we don't think they'll do it. 

Follow along

Jets offseason moves tracker

5. STAY TOTALLY AWAY FROM JOE MIXON

You know his history by now. The running back is a tremendous talent on the field, but he is best known for punching a woman in the face in 2014 — a vile act that should not be dismissed as youthful indiscretion. Bottom line: The Jets need to stay away from Joe Mixon.

We have no problem with the Jets addressing the running back position in this draft. They need to get younger there. Matt Forte is fading. And Bilal Powell isn't a legit No. 1 back. So maybe the Jets will take Leonard Fournette at No. 6. Just avoid Mixon. He isn't worth the trouble for the Jets. 

Based on what Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said when asked about the Mixon situation Monday, we would be very surprised if he took Mixon. Click here to read Maccagnan's comments. 

Who looked good?

Jets prospects who impressed at Combine

6. AVOID PICKING TOO MUCH BASED ON NEED

This is an obvious one every year, and we don't think Maccagnan will do it, if only because he constantly speaks about the dangers that come with picking too much based on need.

Maccagnan said he will use positional need to break ties among players on his draft board. But he doesn't like making need the basis of a pick. Which is a wise approach.

He just needs to stick with it for this draft. It shouldn't be a problem, since the Jets have so many needs that they can't really go wrong. 

Will Jets trade Sheldon Richardson?

He could be shipped off

7. AVOID TEMPTATION TO TRADE UP

This would be completely idiotic, and Maccagnan is a sensible enough general manager (we think) to avoid the temptation of moving up.

A rebuilding team like the Jets needs to stockpile picks, not trade them away. The more picks, the better, for a team in this situation, as it tries to rebuild through the draft. If anything, expect the Jets to move down from No. 6, in order to acquire some more picks.

But they can get a very good player at No. 6, so there is really no sense in moving up, especially in a draft class lacking a sure-thing star franchise quarterback.

That would really be the only reason to move up from No. 6 to a higher position. And as we mentioned, Trubisky and Watson don't do it for us, in terms of being move-up trade worthy. 

The best secondary you can muster will not perform without a good pass rush.  This is bunk.

[jack48]

I kind of buy the BPA thing.  But of course you draft for need. Especially in the rest of your draft.  If you do not draft for need you will not have a team.  If the Jets follow BPA they could conceivably draft 3 more defensive linemen.  I also think BPA is overblown.  If there is a need guy at 8 on your board and you have a 6, you draft the guy at 8.  There are no absolutes.  The number of busts we see proves that.