Should the Jets draft an offensive threat at No. 6?

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Feb 22, 2018

ANNAPOLIS, MD - NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Courtland Sutton #16 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs makes a catch against the Navy Midshipmen during the second half at Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, the New York Jets might consider breaking their usual first-round process and actually select an offensive threat with the No. 6 overall pick.

When it comes to first-round picks for the New York Jets, have you noticed a common theme as of late? In 2017, the Jets selected safety Jamal Adams. Back in 2016, the Jets went with one of the top linebackers in that year’s draft by selected Darron Lee. In 2015, they got lucky and had premier defensive end Leonard Williams right there for the taking.

Even in 2014, before general manager Mike Maccagnan was even in office, the Jets went with a bust a safety in Calvin Pryor. As a matter of fact, you’d have to go all the way back to the 2009 NFL Draft when, with the No. 5 overall pick, they selected quarterback Mark Sanchez out of USC.

Yeah, that sure is a very long time since the Jets used a first-round pick on an offensive player, let alone a top threat that was a game-changing force to reckon with. Let’s face it, the NFL is a passing league and the Jets don’t have many high-caliber offensive players to brag about at this point in time. Sure, Robby Anderson had a big year last season, but again, his total of 941 receiving yards, 63 receptions, and seven touchdowns wasn’t even enough to get him a Pro Bowl spot, let alone be considered a top-five wide receiver last season.

More from Jets Draft

Anderson was good, but not great last year and adds to the continued trend of the Jets offense lacking serious weapons. Their wide receiver corps was average last season, running backs didn’t do anything worth mentioning, and starting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins only had three receiving touchdowns which didn’t exactly break the record books.

In the grand scheme of things, the Jets would be wise to break the trend and draft a top offensive threat in this year’s draft. Even if they don’t land a top free agent quarterback this offseason, it wouldn’t hurt to add a dynamic wide receiver to the mix. Same goes with a dual-threat running back that would instantly add a spark to their offense, regardless who is under center.

Heck, even if the Jets used the No. 6 overall pick on a new franchise quarterback, all of those would merit a serious upgrade on an offense that ranked towards the bottom of every major offensive category last season. The Jets offense couldn’t score touchdowns, let alone keep those chains moving which proves that maybe changing things up for once could produce winning football.

Hopefully, Maccagnan knows that if the Jets are to go anywhere positive in the future, they need to add a few offensive weapons to the mix. Mediocre numbers by average players aren’t going to cut it if they want to make the NFL Playoffs and actually be competitive enough to go the distance.