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New York Jets: 4 Takeaways from 2017 NFL Draft

By Stephen Smith

Apr 28, 2017; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets first round draft pick Jamal Adams during a press conference at the Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets first round draft pick Jamal Adams during a press conference at the Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) prior to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) prior to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. West Coast O Wide Receivers

John Morton is the new offensive coordinator of the Jets and he runs the West Coast offensive system so he has to be happy that Maccagnan drafted a pair of wide receivers that should fit his system well: Ardarius Stewart of Alabama (third round) and Chad Hansen of the University of California (fourth round).

Both receivers excel in a very important aspect of the West Coast Offense, yards after catch (YAC). Stewart has already been compared to Anquan Boldin, who Morton used to coach. Stewart had 54 receptions for 864 yards and eight touchdowns for the Crimson Tide last year. He does not have blazing speed — he ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash — but he has good hands and is an intense, physical runner with the football. In fact, 70 percent of the yards he gained came after the catch.

Hansen is another player that has fine YAC ability. He had a big season for the Golden Bears in 2016 with 92 catches for 1,249 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hansen has a strong combination of size (6-2, 202 pounds) and speed (4.53-second 40) and is very effective on bubble screens and vertical routes. He needs to expand his route tree though and break away better from press corners. Hansen was projected to go in the third round so the Jets got excellent value with this pick.

Next: Early 2018 Mock Draft: Do Jets get their QB?

Drafting Stewart and Hansen could signal the end of Eric Decker’s Jets career (we’ll see what happens regarding the 30-year-old veteran in due time). Adding Stewart and Hansen to their roster along with an up-and-coming Quincy Enunwa give the Jets a young trio of upside wide receivers they can flourish in New York for years to come.

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