The New York Jets checked four boxes during the first wave of free agency, but here's the thing about teams that lose every year: The beginning of a Wordle game is when there are so many empty boxes. It magnifies the importance of the draft for the Jets. They still need to address two of their biggest needs, edge rusher and wide receiver. The two first-round picks can be used to accomplish that. If they don't take an edge rusher with the fourth or 10th pick, it will be a big upset. The coach needs an edge rusher just as much as he needs oxygen. That's why they were interested in free agent Chandler Jones, who accepted a huge deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. The consensus among talent evaluators is that four could be picked in the top 10. The Jets finished 25th in sacks. It was bad. There are some really cool prospects at the top of the draft. They are really, really good. The situation is the same on the other side of the ball. The general manager did a good job of signing tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, but the second-year quarterback still needs another front-line weapon. McShay's rankings are:
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The 10th pick is likely to be used on a wide receiver, most notably the Ohio State's Garrett Wilson and the USC's Drake London.
Maybe Douglas goes in a different direction if he falls in love with a player. He will still be able to use a high pick at those positions with the additions of D.J. Reed and Jordan Whitehead. Kyle Hamilton and Ahmad Sauce are two of the top 10 talents.
Laken Tomlinson received a $27 million guarantee after signing an offensive lineman.
Dynamic players who can tilt the field are what the Jets need. They don't have any of those guys despite having a top-11 pick in five straight drafts. There are a few players who might become legit stars, but they are not there yet. The draft is where you find them.
Five good players were picked up by Douglas. They are all proven starters ranging in age from 24 to 30 and they are not going to change the course of the franchise.
The 13th-rated guard by Pro Football Focus last season was Tomlinson. We are talking about players who should fit nicely into the schemes and the locker room, which is all you can ask when you are in free agency.
They are glue guys. The Jets need impact players, but they are starting to accumulate them. The Jets will have four draft picks in the top 38, which is a real opportunity to add four dynamic difference-makers, Douglas said.
It is a unique opportunity to change everything.
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