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New York Jets: Analyzing Day 2 Draft Picks

By Alan Schechter

Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets have made their two selections on night two of the NFL draft.  Here are some thoughts.

Day was extremely interesting for the New York Jets. For anyone who missed it, the first round yielded Darron Lee, the linebacker from Ohio State with the 20th overall selection.

Night two brought two players: quarterback Christian Hackenberg from Penn State and linebacker Jordan Jenkins from Georgia.

Related Story: Analysis of Darron Lee

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The size is prototypical for an NFL quarterback, as he stands at 6’4″ and weighs 236 pounds. If you take a look at his stats, they don’t scream “future NFL star.” After a freshman year where he posted 20 touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions, he went on to throw 23 touchdowns vs. 28 interceptions for the rest of his career. His completion percentage also went steadily down from 58.9 percent to 53.5 percent. Could another year at Penn State have helped? Possibly.

The Jets are looking for their franchise quarterback, as they have been doing since Joe Namath departed. But this pick does nothing other than muddy the depth chart for the team. We still don’t get a clearer picture as to who will be their quarterback when the season opens.  According to Ian Rappaport of NFL.com, the team will be looking to sit Hackenberg.

For who? According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Jets haven’t had meaningful conversation with Ryan Fitzpatrick for weeks.

Who is going to play quarterback? If it was going to be either Geno Smith or Bryce Petty, they wouldn’t have taken a quarterback so high. We still don’t know, and being chosen in the second round just adds pressure to this pick.

Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jordan Jenkins (59) reacts after making a tackle against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jordan Jenkins (59) reacts after making a tackle against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, four-year linebacker Jordan Jenkins is a different story. Here is a guy that made a lot of plays during his time in Clemson, posting 204 tackles over his college career. Additionally, he posted 39 TFL’s and 19 sacks. Those aren’t the numbers of a pass-rush specialist, but they are of a guy that can make plays and get to the quarterback when he has to.

Erik Lambert of NFL Mocks had some thoughts on Jenkins that will make the Jets’ coaches very happy:

"Zero hesitation off the snap.  Can shoot gaps with great quickness and blow a play up in the backfield before it even starts.Team captain. Jenkins leads by example with his effort, attention to detail and productivity on the field. Not afraid to be vocal with teammates.  Motor always runs hot.  Never lets his legs stop churning even if he’s initially stopped.Show enough fluidity and athleticism to drop in coverage. Good awareness to find the football and then flies to it."

At times, he gets overpowered when he is attacked directly by his opponent. He lets his man get into his body first, and he can be neutralized. Kacy Rodgers and the Jets’ staff will have to work with this young man on his hand technique to make a big impact in the pros.

More nfl spin zone: Five Players the Jets Should Avoid in the Draft

Having the ability to rotate in a solid group of players is important to Todd Bowles, and adding Jenkins gives him more flexibility. With some development, he may develop into a solid starter as well.

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