New York Jets Monday Mailbag: NFL Combine, Quinnen Williams, & more

In the New York Jets Monday Mailbag, we answer all your Jets Twitter questions weekly. In this edition, we discuss the NFL Combine, Alabama DL Quinnen Williams, and more.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the New York Jets Monday Mailbag here on The Jet Press! This is a new series that will look to answer any and all questions you may have about anything and everything pertaining to the Jets.

To have your question included in future editions make sure to follow us on Twitter at @TheJetPress and be on the lookout for a tweet every Friday or Saturday asking for your questions.

In this edition of the series, we will discuss the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine, potential offseason scenarios, and much more. With that, let’s get on with our questions.

What is the most likely offseason scenario for the Jets in your opinion?

— CaptainJetSparrow (@Pirateslife18) February 24, 2019

Sitting here at the end of February, it’s essentially impossible to correctly map out the expected offseason strategy for the Jets.

But let’s give it a try anyway.

I expect the Jets to be very active in free agency and come away with at least one offensive lineman they plan to start next season. Whether that’s a desired target such as Matt Paradis or Rodger Saffold or a fallback option like a Mitch Morse or a Quinton Spain remains to be seen.

They will likely look to bring in at least one edge rusher too but I wouldn’t expect it to be a big name player. Someone like Preston Smith or Trey Flowers is the most likely option with Flowers being the most appealing. On the other hand, signing a player like Dante Fowler would be a mistake.

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If I had to put money on it now, I’d say general manager Mike Maccagnan finally lands his big-name free agent in Le’Veon Bell, although that is far from a sure thing.

With one interior lineman signed and an edge rusher signed the Jets first round pick will depend on how the board falls. In this scenario let’s just assume the 49ers trade out of the second pick allowing Kentucky’s Josh Allen to fall to No. 3. I would anticipate the Jets snatching him up and plugging him in as the edge rusher opposite the free agent acquisition.

Assuming no movement, the Jets first third round pick should be devoted to an offensive lineman who is a ready-made plug-and-play player. If Mississippi State’s Elgton Jenkins or NC State’s Garrett Bradbury are on the board you take them.

Of course, there’s so much more to cover including the wide receiver and cornerback positions but in brief form, I think that that’s a pretty reasonable scenario for this offseason. Let me know if you think Jets fans would be happy with that scenario in the comments below.

Quinnen Williams is listed at 6’4 295 lbs… isn’t that a light playing weight for a traditional 3-4 Nose Tackle? Seems like a bit of a tweener. Why take him to play DE/ DT when we have Leo and H. Anderson can be resigned for cheap ?? Use the pick elsewhere. #Jets

— Jeff Hendrickson (@jeffh5454) February 24, 2019

Williams stature is a bit small for a traditional 3-4 nose tackle, and that’s because he isn’t a traditional 3-4 nose tackle. Williams was moved around all over the Alabama defensive line but played primarily as a 3-technique defensive tackle.

With the Jets reportedly sticking with a 3-4 defensive scheme, this pick becomes far less likely. While Williams can and has played in a 5-technique defensive end role, his talent would be maximized in his true position, similarly to Leonard Williams.

However, the USC product hasn’t shown the same pass rushing capabilities that his Alabama cohort has making Quinnen the more valuable player. Still, it would be surprising to see the Jets pull the trigger and make this pick simply because of scheme fit and positional value.

If the Jets were to bring back Henry Anderson, as you said, they wouldn’t have a true need in the interior defensive line making it more of a BPA scenario. But with an abundance of holes to fill, I would much rather have the Jets trade back or go in a different direction.

In a base 4-3 defense I could see this pick making sense, but in a base 3-4, it shouldn’t happen, despite the fact that Gregg Williams will run multiple fronts.

Who is one offensive and one defensive player Jets fans should keep an eye on during the combine?

— Jake Spriggs (@SpriggsyFresh) February 24, 2019

The NFL Combine will begin in just a couple days and while it isn’t the be-all, end-all for draft prospects, it does give teams a good look at the athletic traits of some of the class’ top players. If nothing else, it’s just a bit of good fun.

The offensive player Jets fans should be watching like a hawk this week is Ole Miss receiver D.K. Metcalf. Out of all the receivers in this year’s draft class, Metcalf has the most to lose/gain in Indianapolis.

His tape shows traits of a true No. 1 receiving target with the potential to be one of the very best in the league. Metcalf has a rare blend of size and athleticism that could make him an elite player at the next level.

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But a season-ending neck injury combined with a recent photo that went viral showing him absolutely jacked up have scouts concerned about how he will run at the Combine. If Metcalf comes out and runs a sub-4.45, expect him to be a top-15 pick. If he runs over a 4.60, he could very well fall out of the first round entirely.

The Jets are looking for a true top receiving target and Metcalf could be an option if he tests well and the team trades back. Honestly, if Metcalf comes out and lights it up at the Combine, he may just be my preferred target for the team in the first round, as hot of a take as that may be.

On defense, it’s a bit trickier but I’ll say Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat. Sweat shot up draft boards following an impressive Senior Bowl showing but scouts have concerns over his athleticism and agility.

Sweat wins with his play strength and power but many are concerned with his bend and ability to turn the edge. An impressive showing in the agility drills could be enough to push Sweat into top-10 consideration, right where the Jets could be picking if they trade down.

Would you bring in any AAF players into camp? I think they should bring in Greg Ward and Jalin Marshall.

— Michael Pallas (@mtpallas) February 25, 2019

With the relative success of the AAF so far I would expect NFL teams to give plenty of current AAF stars a look in training camp. The Jets should be no different.

While it may be a little early to talk about any concrete names, someone like Jalin Marshall makes a ton of sense given his history with the team. I expect the Jets to bring in some much-needed receiver depth so Marshall and Greg Ward would make interesting options for the team to sign.

Ward is especially intriguing given his athletic traits and inexperience playing the position. I could totally see the former Houston quarterback finding his way on to an NFL roster and it would be great if the Jets were that team.

At other positions, Salt Lake’s Karter Schult has impressed a ton and could help the Jets at the edge rusher position, a spot they are currently very thin at. Other receivers such as Arizona’s Rashad Ross and Orlando’s Charles Johnson (also a former Jet) have impressed and should have a market come the end of the AAF season.

Next. Fried's Pre-Combine 2019 NFL Draft Big Board

We should get a better idea as the weeks go on but those are just a few of the players Jets fans should be keeping an eye on.

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