New York Jets Rookie Grades

[gmf1369]

• Round 1: (No. 20 overall) Darron Lee, OLB, 13 games/9 starts.
  
• Round 2: (51) Christian Hackenberg, QB, 0 games.
  
• Round 3: (83) Jordan Jenkins, OLB, 14 games/11 starts.
  
• Round 4: (118) Juston Burris, CB, 16 games/1 start.
  
• Round 5: (158) Brandon Shell, OT, 8 games/3 starts.
  
• Round 7: (235) Lac Edwards, P, 16 games/0 starts; (241) Charone Peake, WR, 15 games/1 start.
  
• Notable undrafted free agents: Robby Anderson, WR, 16 games/8 starts; Jalin Marshall, WR, 10 games/1 start.

If the Jets are unable to get a replacement-level season out of second-round pick Christian Hackenberg, their 2016 draft will go down as an unmitigated disaster. To have the team stand idly by while the rest of the quarterback-needy organizations made power moves to secure their starters of the future was worrisome, but general manager Mike Maccagnan received the benefit of the doubt, having come from a Texans organization led by former Penn State coach Bill O'Brien -- a person who theoretically knew Hackenberg quite well. Darron Lee, like Jets mainstay David Harris, suffered from a less-productive defensive line in 2016 -- but he still struggled, especially when asked to cover, according to coverage grades provided by Pro Football Focus. He is certainly a high-upside player and did most of his best work against the run, but the Jets will need to see a massive leap forward in 2017. Jordan Jenkins might have been the best value in this draft group. With their third-round pick, the Jets found a capable edge rusher who found himself on the field for more than 500 snaps in his rookie season. Seventh-round pick Lac Edwards was not great, with one of the lowest yards-per-punt averages in the NFL. The Jets are claiming he is a work in progress -- but perhaps not the kind one would spend a draft pick on? GRADE: C-

Combine/free agency focus: I cannot blame the team for reloading with veterans after nearly missing the playoffs in 2015, but the Jets' failed playoff push has left them so threadbare at certain positions that the 2017 NFL Draft will be essential in cobbling together a team good enough to make a run at third place in the division. The Jets, in no particular order, need: a left tackle, wide receiver help, cornerback help, a quarterback, a tight end and some players capable of replacing their rapidly aging core players like Nick Mangold, David Harris and Darrelle Revis. It would be intriguing to hear names like Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker and Mike Williams associated with the Jets at pick No. 6, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted in his post-Super Bowl predictions. As for free agency, the Jets could make a run at the second-tier defensive tackle market and, if salary cap allows, put themselves in play for one of the blockbuster corners coming available.

Jets Section from AFC East Rookie Grades[h=1][/h]

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

It's an incomplete grade until the end of next season. I don't know how anyone could possibly have a final opinion on Hackenberg, Lee, Jenkins, Burris, or Shell. We just don't know yet.

For the record, I'm optimistic about all of them. Although I'm cautiously optimistic about Hackenberg.

 

[butterscotch]

It's an incomplete grade until the end of next season. I don't know how anyone could possibly have a final opinion on Hackenberg, Lee, Jenkins, Burris, or Shell. We just don't know yet.

For the record, I'm optimistic about all of them. Although I'm cautiously optimistic about Hackenberg.

you are right it takes time to see if they re any good......but if true that some/one Jets coach thinks the hack is no good that is not a good sign,.....the rest don't put a head on my beer at this time.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

you are right it takes time to see if they re any good......but if true that some/one Jets coach thinks the hack is no good that is not a good sign,.....the rest don't put a head on my beer at this time.

This "source" was an unnamed person in the organization according to Jets hater Supreme Manish Mehta. I don't put much weight into that. I am not sure one way or the other on Hackenberg. My eyeballs will be the test next preseason with him. I don't trust any Jets beat writer on player evaluations. They thrive on bashing everything the Jets do. They're not unlike some Jets fans.

 

[butterscotch]

This "source" was an unnamed person in the organization according to Jets hater Supreme Manish Mehta. I don't put much weight into that. I am not sure one way or the other on Hackenberg. My eyeballs will be the test next preseason with him. I don't trust any Jets beat writer on player evaluations. They thrive on bashing everything the Jets do. They're not unlike some Jets fans.

I agree! You know it is not just our beat writers it is the national media also.....everyone loves to pick on the Jets. I can be watching any two teams play on a Sunday & I often hear bad things about the jets......besides the score

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

I agree! You know it is not just our beat writers it is the national media also.....everyone loves to pick on the Jets. I can be watching any two teams play on a Sunday & I often hear bad things about the jets......besides the score

Part of it is the fact that they're a big market team, and will always be compared to the Giants, who've obviously won some SB's recently. I get that. But all the SOJ, Just End The Season paper bags over the heads, and sophomoric Buttfumble jokes add to the reputation of this team. ESPN and a segment of the fan base are partially to blame for it.

Until we find a franchise QB, it will probably continue. Building a strong defense and running game will bring more 10-6 finishes and early exits from the playoffs. I'm done with that. We need a QB of the Roethlisberger/Brady/Wilson/Ryan/Prescott type. I feel like this team is snakebitten sometimes.

Throw in the steaming pile of garbage known as the Knicks, and there's not much optimism around my house these days.

 

[butterscotch]

Part of it is the fact that they're a big market team, and will always be compared to the Giants, who've obviously won some SB's recently. I get that. But all the SOJ, Just End The Season paper bags over the heads, and sophomoric Buttfumble jokes add to the reputation of this team. ESPN and a segment of the fan base are partially to blame for it.

Until we find a franchise QB, it will probably continue. Building a strong defense and running game will bring more 10-6 finishes and early exits from the playoffs. I'm done with that. We need a QB of the Roethlisberger/Brady/Wilson/Ryan/Prescott type. I feel like this team is snakebitten sometimes.

Throw in the steaming pile of garbage known as the Knicks, and there's not much optimism around my house these days.

I agree the big question do the jets or pats find the next best qb

 

[The Wicker Man]

Round 2, our achilles heel.

 

[jetgreen13]

Round 2, our achilles heel.

for decades..

hackenberg panning out would go a long way in even things out..

LOLz would be nice..

 

[Old#15]

Not bad for a bust, isn't that right certain New England Jets fan . Now just team him with Ruben Foster for a formidable ILB corps.

http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2017/02/12/jets-lb-darron-lee-named-to-nfl-coms-all-rookie-team/

"Linebacker: Darron Lee, New York Jets
Draft position: Round 1, No. 20 overall.

Like Jones, Lee is a linebacker who thrives in a game built on speed. He has a chance to be a future star. He finished with 73 tackles -- that's a lot of tackles for someone who started just nine times (out of 13 games)."

 

[mykcuz]

I agree the big question do the jets or pats find the next best qb

Tannehill?

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[jetgreen13]

Tannehill?

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just googled tannehill's contract situation..

he ain't cheap..

 

[mykcuz]

just googled tannehill's contract situation..

he ain't cheap..

19 million for a 67% completion, 24td/12int, 4000 yards, 3 fumbles.

But I was joking. Even though we'd kill for his performance.

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[jetgreen13]

19 million for a 67% completion, 24td/12int, 4000 yards, 3 fumbles.

But I was joking. Even though we'd kill for his performance.

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i would love to see petty & or hackenberg get a real shot at being our guy..

 

[mykcuz]

i would love to see petty & or hackenberg get a real shot at being our guy..

I'd really love to see hack grab this offseason by the balls.

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[NYJETSDAN16]

Round 1: (No. 20 overall) Darron Lee, OLB, -
Round 2: (51) Christian Hackenberg, QB, 0 games.
Round 3: (83) Jordan Jenkins, OLB, 14 games/11 starts.
Round 4: (118) Juston Burris, CB, 16 games/1 start.
Round 5: (158) Brandon Shell, OT, 8 games/3 starts.
Round 7: (235) Lac Edwards, P, 16 games/0 starts; (241) Charone Peake, WR, 15 games/1 start.
Notable undrafted free agents: Robby Anderson, WR, 16 games/8 starts; Jalin Marshall, WR, 10 games/1 start.


I honestly feel this draft class will be our bread and butter in the years to come.
Lee will take over David Harris as 52 will be let go. Major youth movement up coming and we will judge these kids the proper way.
Jordan Jenkins being ranked 2nd best rookie OLB was pleasantly surprising. Burris has some very good potential that i feel can turn into our starting CB. Brandon Shell turned into a stud and held his own. I thought he was going to be a bust after the last pre season game he got Petty demolished.
Lachlan looks the part as a long term solution at Punter.

Young WRS such as Charone Peake, Anderson and Marshall are exactly what this franchise needed. They need to evolve together. Will be interesting how our new OC,Morton , who specializes in WRs utilizes these young pups.

And last but not least, Christian Hackenberg. I love the fact that reporters, a possible individual who knew he was going to get fired from the team speak nonsense regarding this kid. Fabricating total garbage degrading the young mans skills.

No one knew the progressions Hack was making or the regressions for that matter than Mac and Bowles. They have a plan for this kid and they're sticking with it. It evident that they both saw something special in him to select him that high. Rumors can fly all they want, but i doubt they would give up on him this easily as some reports attest to.

Just my opinion, after all the things i read about Christian pre draft is that he is a fierce competitor. Student of the game. I'am more than sure he isnt your typical party animal 21 year old. He wants what Brady has become. All odds against him and has an enormous chip on his shoulder to prove the doubters wrong.

Mac needs to surround him in an atmosphere where Hack can grow the right way;
*shore up the O-Line
*Get him play makers
Allow him to learn from his mistakes.

Then and only then can we judge this 2nd round pick accordingly.

 

[jetgreen13]

I'd really love to see hack grab this offseason by the balls.

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agreed..

but i still believe hackenberg & or petty will have to play dramatically better than whatever veteran JAG we end up bringing in to be the starter..

 

[mykcuz]

agreed..

but i still believe hackenberg & or petty will have to play dramatically better than whatever veteran JAG we end up bringing in to be the starter..

You are not an nfl starter unless you prove you are. So you are right. Petty didn't have a playmaking offense last year, so while unimpressive I'm not writing his future off.

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[jetgreen13]

You are not an nfl starter unless you prove you are.

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i just hope bowles does the exact opposite of what i think he will & start one of the kids if they earn it..

 

[mykcuz]

i just hope bowles does the exact opposite of what i think he will & start one of the kids if they earn it..

He will start whoever earns it in my opinion.

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