2015 NFL Draft: New York Jets Potential Picks

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Jets fans cheer as Calvin Pryor (Louisville) is being selected as the number eighteen overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, there is seemingly a lot of uncertainty coming out of Florham Park, so it’s hard to speculate and discuss any of it considering the dozens of potential outcomes that loom on the horizon for this team. However, one thing is consistent — the draft. The Jets may end up picking anywhere between 3rd-6th in the draft depending on the last week of the NFL’s regular season, but one thing is for certain, they will have a shot a top 10 talent.

Yes, I’m well aware of the recent history with the Jets and picking within the top 10, I get that, but as I previously stated, we’re looking at a bit of uncertainty within this organization. That makes it somewhat easy for me or anyone else to assume that there in all likelihood, will be a different GM and hopefully, an over all completely new scouting team making the evaluations and selections for the Jets this April.

Having said that, the Jets will eventually have to start scouting and evaluating top talent, talent that will ultimately become that first round pick. Over the past few weeks or so, I’ve laid out a few prospects in which I feel as though should be on the Jets scouting list. Now, there is no way to know who will even be doing said scouting but I’ll still continue to do mine. It really is simple for the Jets this April — Find a player in the first round that can contribute right away. (simple right?) – Whether that player is on offense or defense, it doesn’t matter that much to me considering both sides can stand to use an impact player at key positions. So here’s my thoughts on a few potential first round prospects I wouldn’t mind seeing in Green and White next season —-

Dec 27, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota talks to the media at Disney California Adventure. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 27, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston is introduced at Disney California Adventure. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks – Jameis Winston/Marcus Mariota ~

— Both QBs are Heisman winners and both have their Pros and Cons that stand out respectively.

– With Jameis Winston you get a NFL ready QB, with excellent size and mobility, that runs Florida State’s Pro Offense very effectively, yet his character and maturity is what is holding him back from being the clear-cut favorite QB of the two.

– With Marcus Mariota you get a very talented duel-threat QBs (one of the more talented QBs to come out in a long time considering his skill set matched with his size) with play-making abilities. There are questions about the offense that he’s running at Oregon and they are seemingly legitimate questions, but the talent is undeniable.

Dec 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper answers questions during the pre-announcement Heisman finalists press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers – Amari Cooper/Jalen Strong/Kevin White ~

— If you know me, then you know how I feel about Alabama’s star WR Amari Cooper. He’s undoubtedly one of the best WR prospects to come out of college football in the past few years. He separates from defenders better than any WR in college football. His route running abilities are already on the level of a 3rd year NFL vet. He has 4.4, maybe 4.3 speed and tracks the ball in the air at elite levels.

– Jalen Strong suffered from injuries this season and from inconsistencies at the QB position. That still didn’t stop him from being one of the more exciting and explosive WRs in college football this season. He tracks the ball in the air as good as Cooper and is probably stronger than Cooper in the lower and upper body. He’s undoubtedly a first round pick and would be a welcomed addition to the Jets WR corp.

– I got my first peek at West Virginia WR Kevin White this season, early in the season, in the first game when he and the Mountaineers were matched up against Cooper and Alabama. In that game, White went off for nine catches, 143 yards and one TD. His big play ability was apparent from the first touch of the game.

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He’s a legitimate red zone threat and can take the top off of the defense as good as if not better than any WR in college football this season. It is the kind of skills that the Jets have lacked at the WR position since Santana Moss.

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Randy Gregory (4) looks on before the game against the USC Trojans in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Pass Rushers – Randy Gregory/Shane Ray ~

— at 6’6″ 245 Nebraska DE Randy Gregory is prototypical size your standard NFL 3-4 pass rushing OLB. He’s quick, has a high motor, his hips are extremely fluid. The Jets haven’t had a legitimate pass rusher since John Abraham and have been actively searching for one ever since. It hasn’t gone well. Needless to say, Gregory should be an instant plug and play on this Jets defensive unit.

— At 6’3″ 245, Missouri’s DE Shane Ray is smaller than Gregory but is just as active and effective. Ray is very aggressive and active, sometime too much so as made evident by his ejection in the SEC Championship game after he torpedoed Alabama QB Blake Sims. Nevertheless, he’s a beast off the edges and would benefit greatly from playing behind the Jets D-line.

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes running back Jordan Canzeri (33) follows the blocking of teammate offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Linemen – Brandon Scherff/La’el Collins~

— Both these guys immediately and instantly upgrade a Jets O-line that was part of the problem this season. Scherff is more suited for the Guard position whereas Collins is more suited for the Tackle position, both are positions of importance for the Jets at this point. I can argue the Jets are in need of a Guard more so than a Tackle right now. I love both of these O-linemen. They are both NFL ready, immediate starters and making them legitimate options for the Jets in the first round of the upcoming draft.

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