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Jets NFL draft options: Latest rumor suggests New York will build around Justin Fields
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- Jets NFL draft options: Latest rumor suggests New York will build around Justin Fields
The NFL draft is essentially a game of poker involving 32 people.
Some teams play their cards close to the vest and others have no problem showing their hand. Perceived success in the draft can be directly related to how good a team's poker face is.
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Actual success won't be determined for a few years, but that still won't stop people from putting out smokescreens before the event.
With just weeks to go until the cards are turned in and lives are changed, the New York Jets are getting in on the action.
The Jets have been in the quarterback market for about half a century, with a couple of years of stability sprinkled in there. Regardless, the organization made an investment in Justin Fields this offseason, inking the signal caller to a two-year, $40 million deal .
It was a mystery whether that signing would take New York out of the quarterback market in the draft, considering the 26-year-old's shortcomings in his young career.
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On Thursday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the expectations are that the Jets won't draft a quarterback in Round 1, adding that the team is looking to build around Fields.
While New York takes its chance on a reclamation project and seemingly punts on what is believed to be a weak class at the position, that means the possibilities are aplenty for the green-and-white. Here are some of the options the Jets could opt to select with the seventh pick.
Jets NFL draft options
Armand Membou , OL, Missouri
Perhaps the likeliest option, Membou brings a size and athleticism that should allow him to slide in seamlessly at right tackle. One year after drafting Olu Fashanu to be the left tackle of the future, the Jets could take Membou to give the team two young anchors at the tackle spots.
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Aaron Glenn knows how important the trenches are following his time in Detroit . The Lions took Penei Sewell in the first round during Glenn's first year on the job. That move by the front office proved to be a good one, so it wouldn't be shocking to see the Jets follow a similar blueprint.
Tyler Warren , TE, Penn State
The focus has always been on the Jets' inability to find a quarterback, but no one ever pays attention to the struggle they've experienced with tight ends. A position that has taken on heightened importance in the modern NFL, the Jets have seen just three tight ends surpass 500 receiving yards in a season during the 21st century – Dustin Keller, Chris Herndon and Tyler Conklin .
Others like Matthew Mulligan , Jeff Cumberland , Ryan Griffin , C.J. Uzomah and more have attempted to fill that role. All have failed. The Jets seem likely to draft a tight end in what is a deep class. Warren, who is believed to be the best of the bunch, is a clear fit if they want to go in that direction.
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Ashton Jeanty , RB, Boise State
"Gang Green" doesn't have a hole at running back, but they could open one up if previous rumors come to fruition. If Breece Hall becomes a trade candidate, the Jets would have a reason to take Jeanty if he's available. From a positional value perspective, it makes no sense to take a running back. However, it does make sense in a draft that isn't flush with blue-chip prospects.
Running backs might be a dime a dozen most of the time, but Jeanty would likely be the best player available if he makes it to the Jets' pick. While the Jets are trying to chart a new path forward, Jeanty is the shiny toy in the store that the team has always preferred. He sells jerseys, would be a fantasy football star and is a highlight machine. There is also an on-field benefit to such a move, making the Jeanty selection potentially the best of both worlds.
Tetairoa McMillan , WR, Arizona
The Jets again have a need at wide receiver following Davante Adams' departure. They've secured the services of some complementary pieces while restructuring Allen Lazard's contract to keep him in the fold. Perhaps they'll play Garrett Wilson in the Amon-Ra St. Brown role, putting less emphasis on a secondary receiver and more on a tight end. Time will tell how the Jets approach to fix the offense, but receiver remains an option until there is some clarity.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jets draft rumors: Options for New York to build around Justin Fields
