NY Jets: It’s time for Joe Douglas to cash in on his draft picks

After months of endless speculation, NY Jets general manager  Joe Douglas finally pulled the trigger and traded quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers.

New York received a 2021 sixth-round pick and second and fourth-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Now it’s time for Douglas to hit on these draft picks.

It seems all but guaranteed that BYU quarterback Zach Wilson will be the No. 2 selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. This move aligns Douglas and Robert Saleh as they are able to build this team in their own image starting with drafting their own quarterback at No. 2.

New York has 21 picks over the next two drafts including seven in the first two rounds. Douglas has said on multiple occasions that he wants to build this team through the draft. Now he has the ammunition to do so.

Joe Douglas has acquired the draft capital needed to rebuild the NY Jets

Douglas certainly shoulders his fair share of the blame for the lack of weapons and protection up front for Darnold.

Douglas did inherit a terrible roster, but he made some mistakes with the mediocre signings of Greg Van Roten, Alex Lewis, and Breshad Perriman to name a few.

He also decided to let Robby Anderson walk in free agency and replaced him with Perriman who was underwhelming, to say the least. Douglas hopes to right the ship and has a great opportunity to do.

He must learn from past mistakes made with Darnold and improve upon them. Douglas knows he must put talent around his young signal-caller and acknowledged that in Tuesday’s press conference.

"We have to surround our next quarterback with as much talent as possible." -Joe Douglas

— Ethan Greenberg (@EGreenbergJets) April 6, 2021

Douglas started making additions on the offensive side by signing receivers Corey Davis and Keelan Cole. Davis had a career year in 2020 when he hauled in 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns.

Cole is another deep threat who has the ability to make contested catches downfield. In a terrible situation down in Jacksonville this past season, Cole was still able to snag 55 catches, 642 yards, and five touchdowns.

The former Jaguar is a high-end fourth receiver on this roster. These receivers join a depth chart that includes Jamison Crowder and Denzel Mims, who showed promise as a rookie last season.

With that being said, there remain glaring holes on this roster and Douglas has his hands full. He must address the interior offensive line, cornerback, and quarterback in the draft while still adding talent to this depleted roster.

He needs to surround his next quarterback with as much talent as possible.

New York has the assets to dramatically improve this roster over the next few years and Douglas must capitalize. Adam Gase and most players from the Mike Maccagnan era are gone. This is Douglas’ team now and there are no more excuses.

The pressure is on — it’s time for Joe Douglas to cash in.