2020-03-31 14:06:02

-by Daniel Mogollon, Staff Writer; Image: New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold was the third pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. (Image Source: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

With the NFL Draft a little over three weeks away, we put the New York Jets on the clock:

2019 Record: 7-9; Finished: 3^rd in the AFC East

General Manager: Joe Douglas (2^nd Year), Head Coach: Adam Gase (2^nd Year), Offensive Coordinator: Dowell Loggains (2^nd Year), Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams (2^nd Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 32 Overall, No. 31 Scoring, No. 29 Passing, No. 31 Rushing

New York’s offense was downright abysmal in 2019. That was due in part to a lack of overall talent, mostly along the offensive line, while the depth in the receiving corps was rather weak as well. An injury to second-year quarterback Sam Darnold certainly didn’t help things. Improving the O-line was their main priority and in his first offseason running the Jets, Joe Douglas clearly focused on the trenches, as he brought in three free agents to bolster their blocking.

Defense Rankings: No. 7 Overall, No. 16 Scoring, No. 17 Passing, No. 2 Rushing

After taking a step back in 2018, the defense was significantly improved last season and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams deserves much of the credit. Injuries in the back seven forced a lot of patchwork. Backups James Burgess and Neville Hewitt ended up as their leading tacklers, despite playing in just 22 games (combined) themselves. They made some tweaks but if this unit can remain healthy the defense could take another step forward in 2020.

The Five-Year Plan – Record: 31-49; Last Playoff Appearance: 2010; Last Playoff Victory: 2010 Season (28-21 Over the New England Patriots)

2019 Draft: (1-3) DT Quinnen Williams, (3-68) OLB Jachai Polite, (3-92) T Chuma Edoga, (4-121) TE Trevon Wesco, (5-157) LB Blake Cashman, (6-196) CB Blessuan Austin

Top Picks Last Five Years:

2018 – (1-3) DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama

2018 – (1-3) QB Sam Darnold, Southern Cal

2017 – (1-6) S Jamal Adams, LSU

2016 – (1-20) ILB Darron Lee, Ohio State

2015 – (1-6) DE Leonard Williams, Southern Cal

Booms:

S Jamal Adams (Rd. 1—2017)

Busts:

WR Devin Smith (Rd. 2—2015)

OLB Lorenzo Mauldin (Rd. 3—2015)

QB Bryce Petty (Rd. 4—2015)

LB Darron Lee (Rd. 1—2016)

QB Christian Hackenberg (Rd. 2—2016)

CB Juston Burris (Rd. 4—2016)

WR ArDarius Stewart (Rd. 3—2017)

WR Chad Hansen (Rd. 4—2017)

DE Dylan Donahue (Rd. 5—2017)

LB Jachai Polite (Rd. 3—2019)

Additions:

WR Josh Doctson (UFA/Vikings)

WR Breshad Perriman (UFA/Bucs)

OT George Fant (UFA/Seahawks)

OG Josh Andrews (UFA/Colts)

OG Greg Van Roten (UFA/Panthers)

C Connor McGovern (UFA/Broncos)

LB Patrick Onwuasor (UFA/Ravens)

CB Pierre Desir (UFA/Colts)

Keepers:

OG Alex Lewis (Re-Signed/UFA)

TE Daniel Brown (Re-Signed/UFA)

LB James Burgess (Re-Signed/UFA)

LB Neville Hewitt (Re-Signed/UFA)

LB Jordan Jenkins (Re-Signed/UFA)

CB Bennett Jackson (Re-Signed/UFA)

CB Arthurs Maulet (Re-Signed/UFA)

CB Brian Poole (Re-Signed/UFA)

Subtractions:

WR Robby Anderson (UFA/Panthers)

OT Brandon Shell (UFA/Seahawks)

OT Brent Qvale (UFA/Texans)

OG Tom Compton (UFA/49ers)

LB Brandon Copeland (UFA/Patriots)

CB Maurice Canady (UFA/Cowboys)

CB Trumaine Johnson (Released)

CB Darryl Roberts (Released)

S Blake Countess (Released)

2020 Picks: The Jets enter the 2020 NFL Draft with a pick in every round but the seventh, which they traded for Alex Lewis who emerged as their best offensive lineman in 2019. They have two selections in the third and sixth rounds, their own and picks they acquired in trades of former first-rounders Leonard Williams and Darron Lee. Coming off a 7-9 season, the Jets snapped a three-year streak of picking in the top six. It’s the first time the Jets have a second-round pick since 2017 and it’s been seven years (2013 draft) since New York owned four picks in the first two days of the draft.

Round 1, Selection 11

Round 2, Selection 48

Round 3, Selection 68 (from Giants)

Round 3, Selection 79

Round 4, Selection 120

Round 5, Selection 158

Round 6, Selection 191

Round 6, Selection 211 (from Chiefs)

Daniel Mogollon is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America. He is also a voter for the Thorpe and the Rotary Lombardi Award, as well as the Latino Sports MVP Awards. You can reach him via email: danmogollon@gmail.com.