Throughout the NFL year, the draft may be the event surrounded by the most uncertainty. With every pick, a team gambles on a player’s conduct, health, and ability to translate their game to the NFL. With a total of 256 picks, it is easy to see why fans are enthralled by the process. The New York Jets gambled a total of seven times in the 2016 draft. It is impossible to gauge how these seven players will develop or play in the NFL. However, each one should have some expectations based on the strength of their positional groups and draft position. Here is what to expect from eight Jets rookies in 2016.
2016 New York Jets Rookie Preview
Round 1: Middle Linebacker Darron Lee
For the seventh year in a row, the New York Jets selected a defensive player in the first round. Lee joins that list containing talents such as Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Leonard Williams. Lee tore up the combine running a blazing 4.47 second 40-Yard dash. This type of speed is unprecedented for a linebacker. Lee’s speed comes at the price of a relatively small frame for his position.
Even so, Lee is in a position to become an effective starter for the Jets. Lee is extremely versatile and could see success in both coverage and blitz scenarios. Whether his success will come in 2016 is the biggest question. With David Harris and Erin Henderson already manning the middle linebacker spots, there is no rush for coaches to thrust Lee into action. Lee will certainly see the field early on in specific packages tailored to his skill-set by Todd Bowles. Realistically however, Lee will not have a major impact until late 2016 or even the 2017 season.
Round 2: Quarterback Christian Hackenberg
Few picks were more polarizing in the 2016 draft than the Jets’ selection of Christian Hackenberg. The Penn State product was heavily scrutinized for his increasing struggles throughout his NCAA career. Whether Hackenberg’s struggles were as a result of his struggling offensive line or his own lack of talent remains to be seen. 2016 will likely not be the year an answer is provided. Hackenberg enters camp as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. Barring some terrible injury luck for the Jets, Hackenberg will not see the field in 2016.
Round 3: Outside Linebacker Jordan Jenkins
The New York Jets have only one rookie practicing with the first team. That player is third-round linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Jenkins comes from a Georgia defense in which he was overshadowed by first round linebacker Leonard Floyd. Jenkins is beginning to prove he is just as capable as his Georgia counterpart. He saw a lot of action in the Jets preseason opener and has little competition behind him on the depth chart. Jenkins is still young and raw but expect him to notch more than Lorenzo Mauldin‘s four sacks from his rookie year in 2015. He will see more immediate playing time than Mauldin and could become an immediate pass rushing force for the defense.
Round 4: Cornerback Juston Burris
The Jets again went defense in round 4 selecting NC State cornerback Juston Burris. Burris enters a crowded cornerback group with little pressure to be an immediate starter. He will likely be the number five corner on the roster and see little playing time, except in the case of multiple injuries. Burris will not have an impact in 2016, but he could develop into an effective starter down the road.
Round 5: Offensive Tackle Brandon Shell
Shell comes into the NFL from an impressive pedigree as he is the nephew of former All-Pro Art Shell. The Jets are not particularly strong at tackle, but with a round five price tag, Shell will not see much action. He will sit as the backup to Breno Giacomini and hopefully develop under the tutelage of Ryan Clady. The Jets can only hope for future contributions from Shell as 2016 will have little playing time in line for him.
Round 7: Punter Lachlan Edwards
Edwards is the only punter on the Jets roster after beating out fellow rookie Tom Hackett for the job. He will have some high expectations as Jets fans were fed up watching Ryan Quigley punt last year. Edwards will be in an immediate starting role and expect a slight upgrade over Quigley in 2016.
Round 7: Wide Receiver Charone Peake
The Jets finished their draft by selecting Clemson receiver Charone Peake. Peake comes from a school that has delivered prospects DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins to the league in recent years. Peake will need to impress to stand out amongst one of the Jets’ most talented positional groups. Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Quincy Enunwa are all locks to be ahead of Peake on the depth chart. He will compete with Kenbrell Thompkins, Devin Smith, and fellow rookie Jalin Marshall for playing time and a roster spot. While there’s no guarantee Peake makes the team, he should receive a roster spot. His impact will be minimal in 2016.
Undrafted: Wide Receiver Jalin Marshall
The only undrafted free agent with a shot at making an impact for the Jets is Ohio State‘s Jalin Marshall. Marshall has impressed in camp so far and can double as a kick returner. He will have a challenge making the team as a part of a talented group of receivers, but his versatility will give Marshall an edge. Marshall should make the roster and have an impact on special teams. Do not be surprised if he begins making plays on offense as well.
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