NY Jets draft capital could provide ultimate roster-building flexibility

It’s been another frustrating season for the NY Jets in Florham Park. However, as always in the NFL, there is a silver lining to losing games: high draft capital and hope for a prosperous future. In the Jets’ case, this couldn’t be more true.

The Jets currently own two top-five picks in April’s draft: their own (No. 4 overall) and the Seahawks' (No. 5 overall). Unexpected struggles this season by Seattle, one of the NFL’s most successful franchises over the last decade, have left Jets faithful even more optimistic than usual.

Having two top five picks would offer the front office immense flexibility to be creative with the avenues they use to build a roster that is currently devoid of talent. From a team building perspective, let’s take a look at all those possibilities.

1. The NY Jets could stand pat and select two players

This is the most obvious option for the Jets. With two premium picks, the Jets would have their choice of two of the top college football players in the country. Selecting two high-end talents would (hopefully) allow the Jets to fill two needs and continue to develop the young core of this roster.

Of course, they’d be trusting in their own ability to evaluate talent and select the right players, which always comes with inherent risk, no matter where you pick.

Joe Douglas appears to have had a good 2021 NFL Draft, and if he stays put and selects two players, it would be huge for the overall outlook of the roster.

It would also give the Jets two young contributors on cost-controlled rookie contracts for four years (five years if they exercise the team option that is available for all former first-round picks), allowing the team to have more flexibility with how they spend money in free agency.