Joe Douglas exhibits adaptability in first draft as Jets’ GM

The primary Jets draft of the Joe Douglas period is within the books.


How did he do? We’ll inform you in three years.


It's unimaginable to know the way these draft picks will pan out, however you possibly can consider on logic, and Douglas made some strikes that had been clearly good and a pair that raised some eyebrows. However he confirmed a capability to maneuver by means of the 2020 NFL Draft, making three whole trades. He went into this draft with eight picks, ended up making 9 and likewise buying a veteran participant.


“My principal goal was to attempt to make this workforce higher,” Douglas mentioned. “I really feel like we added a whole lot of high quality soccer gamers, high quality folks. I feel we’re higher after this weekend than we had been earlier than the draft began.”


The Jets needed to provide quarterback Sam Darnold safety and playmakers. They did that within the first two rounds with Mekhi Becton and Denzel Mims, then added depth at different positions after that.


“We received the correct of fellows and we received a whole lot of positions that we had been sort of skinny at or lacking crammed,” coach Adam Gase mentioned. “I really feel prefer it turned out pretty much as good as we may have hoped for.”


Joe Douglas
Joe DouglasAP

On Day three of the draft, Douglas confirmed how a lot he values character. All 5 of the draft picks made Saturday had been captains of their faculty workforce. That makes six in all within the draft, together with their first-round decide Becton.


On Saturday, Douglas chosen Florida operating again La’Mical Perine, Florida Worldwide quarterback James Morgan and Charlotte deal with Cameron Clark within the fourth spherical. He selected Virginia cornerback Bryce Corridor within the fifth and Texas A&M punter Braden Mann within the sixth. He traded the Jets’ last decide of the day (No. 211 general) to the Colts in change for cornerback Quincy Wilson.


Douglas selected 5 offensive gamers, three defensive and one particular groups in his first draft. He addressed wants like offensive line and vast receiver, although an argument will be made he ought to have taken a couple of receiver. Choosing security Ashtyn Davis within the third spherical and taking a backup quarterback within the fourth spherical will likely be questioned. The Jets imagine Davis is usually a versatile weapon for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, capable of play a number of spots, and be a particular groups standout.


Morgan was the shock of Saturday. The Jets entered the draft with Sam Darnold, David Fales and Mike White as their quarterbacks. Morgan, who's a couple of months older than Darnold, is usually a developmental quarterback who may turn out to be a longtime backup. However taking him within the fourth spherical will trigger debate. May they've waited till later within the draft and brought a participant who may contribute instantly? Is Morgan price a fourth-round decide? Professional Soccer Focus gave him a seventh-round grade. Others did have him as excessive because the fourth and fifth spherical.



• Jets’ NFL Draft tracker: Stay round-by-round picks and evaluation


“We had an actual consolation stage with James,” Douglas mentioned. “It is a younger man that’s extraordinarily clever, has the bodily instruments you’re searching for. You guys have heard me say it earlier than that quarterback is crucial place in all {of professional} sports activities. You may by no means have sufficient.


“You have to have depth at that place particularly, as we discovered final yr.”


The Jets might have gotten a steal within the fifth spherical with Corridor, who was projected as a potential first-round decide after his 2018 season at Virginia when he led the nation in go break-ups. He broke his ankle and tore a tendon in October, although, ending his senior season and requiring surgical procedure. That precipitated him to plummet within the draft. The Jets are assured he will likely be recovered in time for this season.



“He’ll be able to roll,” Douglas mentioned.


If Corridor can regain his pre-injury kind, he may assist shore up a place that could be a poor one for the Jets. Along with Corridor, the Jets added Wilson at cornerback within the commerce with the Colts. Wilson was a second-round decide in 2017 by the Colts however has began simply 10 video games for Indianapolis.


The Jets’ final precise decide of the day was Mann, who gained the Ray Man Award final yr because the nation’s high punter. The Jets are shifting on from Lachlan Edwards. Mann will likely be their punter and will kick off, too.


The Jets have been horrible within the NFL draft for the final decade. Jets proprietor Christopher Johnson employed Douglas final June largely to repair that. We gained’t know for some time if he achieved the mission over the past three days.



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