Draft board heading into Rounds 2 & 3 for the Jets

As the New York Jets prepare for Rounds 2 & 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft, here’s what their draft board should look like.

The New York Jets made a steal at the sixth pick by selecting safety Jamal Adams. Sitting at No. 39, the Jets are poised to select another player who can make an immediate impact. Shockingly, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook fell out of the first round and could be available when the Jets are on the clock.

It’s hard to imagine the Green Bay Packers passing on Cook at No. 33, but if they do, he’ll likely be available to the Jets at No. 39. With Bilal Powell on the rise and Matt Forte on the decline, Cook and Powell would serve as a nice running back-by-committee for the Jets, which would ultimately take pressure off their starting quarterback, whoever it ends up being.

Round 2 Corner Could Help Jets’ Defense Take the Next Step

If Cook is unavailable, which he most likely will be, the Jets will have a fine selection of corners to put opposite Morris Claiborne. Still available on the draft board are Sidney Jones and Kevin King from Washington as well as University of Florida teammates Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson. Landing a good, starting corner at 39, along with the Adams pick, could completely rebuild the Jets’ secondary and bring this defense back to being elite once again.

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Greatly due to the efforts of Tabor and Wilson, the Gators ranked first in defensive passing efficiency, allowing only 148.54 passing yards per game and only eight passing touchdowns all season. Both Wilson and Tabor have received praise for their “prototypical size and athleticism.” Both standing over 6′ tall with 32″ arms, either one of the lengthy, athletic corners could really help rebuild the Jets secondary.

King and Jones led Washington to the 8th best passing defense in the nation this past season. Both corners sit atop the list of best players still available at their position, but King’s size, along with Jones’ torn Achilles tendon at his pro day, makes King emerge as the better pick.

King possesses a rare combination of size and speed at his position at 6’3″ and running a 4.43 40-yard dash. King is a great player to match-up against big red zone targets. If the Jets select any of these guys with the 39th overall pick, teaming up another corner along with newly acquired players Adams and Claiborne, itcould completely rebuild the Jets’ entire secondary in only one offseason. With a strong defensive line, young linebackers and a new and improved secondary, the Jets could re-establish themselves as having an elite defense this upcoming season.