Taking Flight, Part Two: Grading the Rest of the NY Jets Draft Picks

 

Mason Taylor. Photo Credit: Scott Clause/USA Today Sports.

Mason Taylor, TE, LSU 

The Jets kicked off the second round by picking Mason Taylor--son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor--from LSU. On a side note, man, I feel old! I remember watching his dad play back in the day, now his son is in the league.

They received some flack from some for passing on Tyler Warren, but I like this pick, nonetheless. Mason's also a dynamic playmaker, and he fills a need for the Jets after Tyler Conklin left in free agency.

He's a big target who knows how to get open and has reliable hands. He uses his frame well for jump or 50/50 balls.

The only thing I see is that he could be a more physical blocker, but I think that's an easy fix, it's just a matter of effort.

Grade: A

Photo Credit: northjersey.com.

Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State 

In the third round, the Jets picked corner back Azareye'h Thomas from Florida State.

He's a big, physical corner who excels in man coverage. He has drawn comparisons to Jalen Ramsey, and if he plays anything like him, the Jets got a steal with this pick.

Today's NFL is still pass-oriented for the most part, and because of that, it's good to stock on defensive backs, so while I like the pick, talent wise, I thought a receiver would've been better here.

Grade: A-

Photo Credit: Dale Zanine/Imagn Images.

Arian Smith, WR, Georgia 

The Jets picked a receiver in the fourth round, drafting Arian Smith from Georgia. He's a playmaker with a track and field background. He led Georgia in receiving yards last season.

The concerns that I have with this pick are the dropped passes--he had the most of the Power Four conferences--and his durability issues. He comes off as a mere deep threat, and probably someone you can use on gadget plays. I don't see much in his game after that.

This pick reminds me of the Jets approach in free agency: potential. A lot of moves they made were players with untapped potential that hasn't fully materialized yet, and this seems to be the case with Arian.

Grade: C

Photo Credit: Crimson Tide Photos/UA Athletics.

Malachi Moore, Safety, Alabama 

The Jets traded back into the fourth round, picking Malachi Moore from Alabama. I like his versatility, being able to play the nickel and both safety spots.

His lack of size for the position is a concern, as it could lead to him being overpowered by bigger players.

Although the defensive backfield is loaded, his versatility could get him on the field sooner than later. If nothing else, he could be or at least start off as a contributor on special teams.

Grade: B

Photo Credit: nfldraftdiamonds.com.

Francisco Mauigoa, LB, Miami 

The Jets fifth round pick was Francisco Mauigoa from Miami. He's a downhill thumper who plays more like a throwback linebacker.

Like most throwback linebackers, he's more linear than horizontal in his movement. He's not very rangy or fast, and struggles in coverage.

It's usually around this time of the draft where teams pick for training camp/practice squad players, but with the departure of CJ Mosley, there may be a spot for Francisco in the lineup as possibly a two-down linebacker.

Grade: B-

Tyler Baron (9). Photo Credit: Bryan Bennett/Getty Images.

Trading back into the fifth round, the Jets last pick of the draft was Tyler Baron from Miami. I like his aggression at the point of attack. He has a non-stop motor and doesn't give up on plays. He does a good job using his hands, and he's really good at bull rushing.

He seems to be better attacking directly versus off the edge, and I would like to see him develop more pass rush moves, but the potential is there.

Tyler is entering a crowded defensive line, specifically at his position, but in today's NFL, there's always room for pass rushers. If nothing else, he could be a good rotational player.

Grade: C+

Overall, for the most part, I thought (Jets GM) Darren Mougey did well with his first draft. I like the Membou pick, but my favorite might be the Mason Taylor pick. He's a big, reliable target who makes things easier for the quarterback.

Arian Smith was a roll of the dice. With his speed, he could very well be the game-breaking, playmaking guy they're seeking, but right now, he has unreliable hands.

I like the Azareye'h Thomas pick, but I wish they would've went with a receiver in that spot. However, if he plays anything like Jalen Ramsey, I wouldn't be surprised if he's lined up opposite Sauce Gardner eventually, if not by Week One.

My biggest issue with this that they didn't address the defensive tackle position. I think they need more guys to eat up space and disrupt the run.

To me, this draft is similar to last year's draft, being mostly smart picks versus "popular" picks.

Overall Grade: B+

I Won't Complain: The NY Jets Select Armand Membou

 

Armand Membou (79). Photo Credit: Eric Canha/Imagn Images.

Last night, with the seventh overall pick, the New York Jets selected Armand Membou from Missouri. Now, he wasn't on my wish list, although most mock drafts projected the Jets to get him for the past month and half.

The more tape I watched on him, the more I liked. Listed at 6-4, 332 lbs., he didn't give up a sack or a QB hit last season. He moves very well and is shifty for a player his size. He has very good footwork; he's excellent at sliding out and shadowing pass rushers.

He finishes blocks and he's a mauler, once he gets his hands on you, it's over. Another thing that stood out to me is his ability to finish a block and quickly move on to another defender.

One of the knocks on him seems to be that he lacks ideal height for the position, and long-armed rushers give him trouble sometimes, but that can be coached, and as far as height, as I've said before with undersized quarterbacks, if I'm confident this guy can get it done, his size becomes a non-factor.

Some view this as a "safe" pick, and I can see why they would look at it that way, with them passing on tight end Tyler Warren, a more "exciting" pick, and adds another element to your offense, but at the end of the day, everything starts in the trenches, and your offense won't go very far if it lacks protection.

He wasn't quite what I had in mind, the player I was hoping they drafted went two picks earlier to the Browns, but they did address a need at right tackle who was considered one of the best offensive lineman in the draft with this pick, so I won't complain.

Grade: A

Making My Case: If the Jets Pick a Developmental QB

 

Dillon Gabriel (8); Quinn Ewers (3).

This is sort of a Part Two of my Jets wish list that I wrote two weeks ago. I saw a post recently on the Jets website that made a case for who New York could select as a developmental quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft. Some see them drafting one later, a few see them drafting one early.

With the acquisition of Justin Fields, and (head coach) Aaron Glenn seemingly committed to making him the starter, I don't see them drafting one early, if they draft one at all, but you never know.

If they're going to pick a developmental prospect, and he's available--which it looks he could be available in the fourth round at the earliest--Dillon Gabriel from Oregon would be my pick. 

I think he's the most underrated quarterback in this draft. As I mentioned last week regarding Dillon, because of the way he plays--the smarts, accuracy, pocket presence, and mobility--he could fit in nearly any offense.

Another quarterback I think has been forgotten about, honestly, I forgot he was in the draft myself until I heard his name mentioned recently, is Quinn Ewers from Texas.

He has good pocket presence, fairly accurate, resilient, he doesn't get easily discouraged or rattled, and can make most throws. He has enough mobility to make plays with his feet.

Quinn has a stronger arm; Dillon is more accurate and mobile. I wouldn't mind the Jets getting either one of them to draft and develop, but again, if they're going to do that, my hope is that it's Dillon.

Some also predicted the Jets to get Jalen Milroe from Alabama, but, to me, they already have that currently in Justin Fields. I think their games are similar.

He's by far the most mobile and has the strongest arm--he has a pretty deep ball--of the three, and there's some talent there, but he's raw, and he needs more time to develop versus the previously mentioned.

I can see the temptation to draft him because of his rocket arm and athletic ability, but this is how some teams get caught up because they put too much focus on measurables instead of looking at the whole body of work.

Overall, I think these three are the best available at the position after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, and can thrive in the right system, and if given a chance.

Fields of Dreams: Can Justin Fields Become the Jets Franchise Quarterback?

 

Photo Credit: foxsports.com.

The quarterback pool in this year's free agent class wasn't that deep, to me. It's saying something when Sam Darnold, who's coming off a breakout season in Minnesota, but has had an up-and-down career prior to that, was considered the best QB available. Then there was Justin Fields, who was considered the next best thing.

As free agency drew closer, Fields' name became linked with the Jets more and more. I was a little skeptical at first, but then it came to me that Fields is talented and loaded with potential, it just hasn't fully materialized, yet. He said it himself that he has untapped potential, which I think is a perfect way to describe it. Now that he's a Jet, it will be interesting to see how the coaches help him realize that potential.

From his time with the Chicago Bears, he has shown flashes of what he's capable of, but it has been hindered by inconsistency, particularly from the pocket. His pocket game looked better in Pittsburgh-- and he had a winning record before Russell Wilson took over-- but I still saw where he relied more on his feet.

I get it; he's a dual-threat quarterback, so I don't expect him to be Joe Montana from the pocket, that's not his game, but I would like to see him go through his progressions and make the right reads/decisions more often. I'm not saying take away his running ability completely-- it's an extra weapon-- just don't over rely on it. What I would like to see is a balance.

I've been saying the last few years that I prefer a young veteran over a rookie--unless I think that rookie is a once-in-a-lifetime talent-- that you can build around. Justin checks one box as far as being a young veteran, building around him is to be determined.

I know some will look at me sideways for saying this because he just won a Super Bowl, but he reminds me of a poor man's Jalen Hurts. Jalen was the same way when he first came into the league: he showed flashes of what he was capable of, but he was hot and cold, hit-or-miss. Jalen is starting to come around, and I still don't think he has reached his full potential, but I digress.

I think Justin is capable of being a franchise guy if he puts it all together. If or when that happens, then they can build around him.

A Blast from the Past: The NY Jets Hire Aaron Glenn as Head Coach

Photo Credit: nflalumni.org.

No, I’m not late to the party. I’m well aware of the New York Jets hiring of Aaron Glenn as head coach in January, I’m just getting around to giving my usual take when they make significant moves such as this.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Aaron Glenn when he became a strong candidate for the Jets head coaching job, seeing the colossal failures with the last two coaches (Adam Gase and Robert Saleh), who were first-time head coaches when they were hired, as Glenn is now.

Now, I loved him as a player. Til this day I think he’s one of the most underrated corners to step on the field. That was as a player, becoming a head coach is a different story.

Initially, I was hoping for either Rex Ryan or Pete Carroll, two guys who also have history with the Jets, being that they were the head coach in previous years, but when Aaron was hired, I thought, “The hire has been made, let’s give him a chance and see what happens,” the same benefit of the doubt that I gave the last two coaches.

The more I learned about Glenn as a coach and after his playing career was over, the more I liked the idea of the hire. For instance, until a few months ago, I had no idea he came back to New York as a scout (2012–13), which tells me he has experience in player evaluation.

During his last days in Detroit, he mentioned in a press conference that he has studied all sides of the ball, not just defense. He described himself as a coach who happens to be on defense. This tells me he’s knowledgeable, well-versed, and has a willingness to learn.

While there’s a lot of talent on the team, the dysfunction, particularly in leadership, is holding them back, and I hope Aaron can turn things around as soon as possible — I know he’s committed to doing so.

As successful as he was with the Jets as a player back in the day, I hope he’s more successful as a head coach.