R1 P6: ER Tim Williams, Alabama
Though Williams went quiet during Clemson’s fourth-quarter comeback, the Crimson Tide pass rusher was absurdly productive over the past two years. He generated constant pressure for Nick Saban’s defense coming off the edge, and was unblockable at times as a stand-up linebacker. His speed off the edge mixed with newfound power as he bulked up heading into the 2016 season means he should warrant a top-10 selection.
R2 P7: CB Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
Sutton might drop further than this spot if he doesn’t work out well at the NFL combine after missing the latter part of Tennessee’s season; however, he has good size and physicality on the outside and the coverage skills to hold up in one-on-one situations. Sutton is a playmaker who can get his hands on the football and make big plays in the return game.
With Darrelle Revis possibly at the end of his rope as a cornerback and a general need across from him anyway, Sutton would be a great fit for Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme.
R3 P6: TE Evan Engram, Mississippi
Tight end has been a wasteland for the Jets the past two seasons, where four players combined for 24 catches in 2015 and 2016 combined. Of those four, the only one in double digits was Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, who managed exactly 10 in seven games after being acquired midseason from Tampa Bay.
The Jets need answers at the quarterback position, but they desperately need to add production at tight end, and while Engram may never win awards as a blocker, his stat line of 65 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns his proof that he can get open and more importantly find the end zone.
R4 PC: RB Elijah Hood, North Carolina
Hood is a powerful back who can potentially be a weapon in the receiving game if given the chance. An underrated aspect of his game is pass-protection, which he rates very highly in.
Coming off a 1,400 rushing yard season with 17 touchdowns, Hood has shown the potential of being a feature back in the right system. He’s worked with multiple quarterbacks with very different styles, whether that by Trubisky or Marquise Williams.
R5 P6: WR Zay Jones, E. Carolina
Quincy Enuwa came on strong as did undrafted rookie Robby Anderson. Still, receiver is a position the Jets can continue to bring competition in at, and after taking flyers on athletes like Stephen Hill and Devin Smith in recent years, it may be a breath of fresh air to grab a super-productive pass catcher like Jones. He had 399 receptions in college, include a nation-leading 158 in 2016.
While he doesn’t bring the deep threat the Jets are missing, he has upside as a reliable route runner who can be a dependable young target.
R6 P7: OT Chad Wheeler, Southern California
Offensive tackle is arguably the biggest need for the Jets right now, but an awful class at the position makes it difficult to fill that need where they are picking early.
Still, adding a guy like Wheeler would give them a potential swing tackle with some upside. He had streaky moments of great play throughout the past two years and does have the pedigree and physical tools to develop into a starter-level performer down the road.
R7 P6: FS Orion Stewart, Baylor
Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist have been a solid duo at safety, and Stewart would give them some depth. He was a very hot and cold player at Baylor, making many big plays and watching others go into the end zone while he was being hyper aggressive jumping underneath routes. He should be more than capable on special teams and could see time as a third safety in certain situations.
Though Williams went quiet during Clemson’s fourth-quarter comeback, the Crimson Tide pass rusher was absurdly productive over the past two years. He generated constant pressure for Nick Saban’s defense coming off the edge, and was unblockable at times as a stand-up linebacker. His speed off the edge mixed with newfound power as he bulked up heading into the 2016 season means he should warrant a top-10 selection.
R2 P7: CB Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
Sutton might drop further than this spot if he doesn’t work out well at the NFL combine after missing the latter part of Tennessee’s season; however, he has good size and physicality on the outside and the coverage skills to hold up in one-on-one situations. Sutton is a playmaker who can get his hands on the football and make big plays in the return game.
With Darrelle Revis possibly at the end of his rope as a cornerback and a general need across from him anyway, Sutton would be a great fit for Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme.
R3 P6: TE Evan Engram, Mississippi
Tight end has been a wasteland for the Jets the past two seasons, where four players combined for 24 catches in 2015 and 2016 combined. Of those four, the only one in double digits was Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, who managed exactly 10 in seven games after being acquired midseason from Tampa Bay.
The Jets need answers at the quarterback position, but they desperately need to add production at tight end, and while Engram may never win awards as a blocker, his stat line of 65 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns his proof that he can get open and more importantly find the end zone.
R4 PC: RB Elijah Hood, North Carolina
Hood is a powerful back who can potentially be a weapon in the receiving game if given the chance. An underrated aspect of his game is pass-protection, which he rates very highly in.
Coming off a 1,400 rushing yard season with 17 touchdowns, Hood has shown the potential of being a feature back in the right system. He’s worked with multiple quarterbacks with very different styles, whether that by Trubisky or Marquise Williams.
R5 P6: WR Zay Jones, E. Carolina
Quincy Enuwa came on strong as did undrafted rookie Robby Anderson. Still, receiver is a position the Jets can continue to bring competition in at, and after taking flyers on athletes like Stephen Hill and Devin Smith in recent years, it may be a breath of fresh air to grab a super-productive pass catcher like Jones. He had 399 receptions in college, include a nation-leading 158 in 2016.
While he doesn’t bring the deep threat the Jets are missing, he has upside as a reliable route runner who can be a dependable young target.
R6 P7: OT Chad Wheeler, Southern California
Offensive tackle is arguably the biggest need for the Jets right now, but an awful class at the position makes it difficult to fill that need where they are picking early.
Still, adding a guy like Wheeler would give them a potential swing tackle with some upside. He had streaky moments of great play throughout the past two years and does have the pedigree and physical tools to develop into a starter-level performer down the road.
R7 P6: FS Orion Stewart, Baylor
Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist have been a solid duo at safety, and Stewart would give them some depth. He was a very hot and cold player at Baylor, making many big plays and watching others go into the end zone while he was being hyper aggressive jumping underneath routes. He should be more than capable on special teams and could see time as a third safety in certain situations.
