I truly believe that NFL draft historians will study for years the Jets 2017 draft as an all time squandered opportunity. They had so much draft capital, needs everywhere, absolutely no mandate to win, and two years of highly rated, interesting QB prospects to shoot for. They could have gone in any direction.
Staying put they could have chosen Mahomes or Watson. They could have traded back, tanked a year, and loaded up for 2018. The top two defensive rookies of the year were there for the choosing. They could have remade their offense, beefed up both lines... They could have done anything in 2017.
What did they do? Take Jamal Adams, who is good... ish. Marcus Maye who was a value pick. Two receivers who are already cut and no one else of note. Three 2018 2nd round picks had to be burned to trade up to get Darnold. It remains to be seen how he’ll rank among the 8 first round picks taken at QB in 2017-18. If I had to guess he’d be in the middle of that pack, but who knows? He has terrible offensive coaching, a poor o-line and few good skill players. And the two “good” safeties still could do squat about having Baker Mayfield eat them up in 2 and a half quarters.
In 2021, when Jets fans talk amongst themselves as to why they’re still 5-11 and Darnold seems permanently shellshocked, they’ll point back to the 2017 draft.
Staying put they could have chosen Mahomes or Watson. They could have traded back, tanked a year, and loaded up for 2018. The top two defensive rookies of the year were there for the choosing. They could have remade their offense, beefed up both lines... They could have done anything in 2017.
What did they do? Take Jamal Adams, who is good... ish. Marcus Maye who was a value pick. Two receivers who are already cut and no one else of note. Three 2018 2nd round picks had to be burned to trade up to get Darnold. It remains to be seen how he’ll rank among the 8 first round picks taken at QB in 2017-18. If I had to guess he’d be in the middle of that pack, but who knows? He has terrible offensive coaching, a poor o-line and few good skill players. And the two “good” safeties still could do squat about having Baker Mayfield eat them up in 2 and a half quarters.
In 2021, when Jets fans talk amongst themselves as to why they’re still 5-11 and Darnold seems permanently shellshocked, they’ll point back to the 2017 draft.