The Jets enjoyed the quiet. No crazy offseason drama. No wild splashes in free agency.
It’s been, for the first time in a long time, a headline-free few months.
The draft felt like that, too.
The Jets stuck to their board. They took the best players available at positions of need.
How did they do?
Here’s the report card....
No. 7 pick: T Armand Membou, Missouri
Offensive line was far from a weakness for the Jets. They had a hole at right tackle, but it's easily maskable when you consider their other four pieces. What they desperately need are playmakers. That's what made Penn State TE Tyler Warren or Arizona WR Tet McMillan more appealing options, personally, at No. 7.
With that said: You can't fault them for going with Membou.
Aaron Glenn came from Detroit. He was their defensive coordinator, but coached against an offense daily that became one of the best in the NFL in large part because of their offensive line. This Jets line now has the chance to be the best in the entire league. They've certainly invested the resources in making that happen.
Olu Fashanu (left tackle), Alijah Vera-Tucker (guard) and Membou are first-round picks. Joe Tippmann (center) came in the second round. John Simpson (guard) was a priority free-agent signing. There's an elite-level potential with that group that the Jets have not experienced in years.
Grade: B+
Round 2, Pick No. 42: TE Mason Taylor, LSU
Luther Burden or Jayden Higgins would have been nice picks for the Jets -- either could have taken attention away from Garrett Wilson. This team is still in dire need of a legitimate No. 2 receiver. With both off the board, though, the Jets got the next best thing in Taylor.
Taylor is long and athletic. He has the ability to develop into a playmaker.
The Jets were in dire need of a new tight end after losing Tyler Conklin to free agency. Jeremy Ruckert is on the roster still and is a solid blocker, but brings very little in the pass game. One source said he still needs to develop strength in order to be a complete tight end, but he'll contribute from the jump.
Grade: B
Round 3, Pick No. 73: CB Azareye'h Thomas, FSU
The Jets lost D.J. Reed in free agency. They signed Brandon Stevens to replace him, and believe in his upside, but there are legitimate concerns with what he'll actually be able to accomplish after an up-and-down tenure with the Ravens. Thomas gives the Jets another player to develop who fits the big, press-man mold that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks loves. He struggles quite a bit in zone.
Grade: B
Round 4, pick No. 110: WR Arian Smith, Georgia
This one feels like it might have been a bit of a reach for the Jets, as most sources SNY touched base with had Smith as an undrafted option. The third day of the draft is where you take chances based on physical attributes.
Smith’s 4.36 40-yard dash showed he has speed you can’t coach. His hands (10 drops a year ago) are an issue, but if the Jets can work with him on that, there’s potential here.
The Jets don’t really have a deep threat in their passing attack. Malachi Corley is their slot, Allen Lazard a big body and Garrett Wilson the do-it-all. Smith averaged 17 yards per catch last year.
Grade: C