New York Jets make strides in pre-free agency 7-round mock draft

Frankly, I’m not content with just adding Taylor to the edge rusher group for the Jets. They need to start building a consistent and effective rotation of players in that department. That’s why it’s a no-brainer to take Jabari Zuniga out of Florida off of the board in the fifth round considering what he brings to the table.

Zuniga is another player who really improved his stock at the Combine. He showed tremendous explosiveness, which pairs great with the strength he showed on film for the Gators. If he can put that all together in the NFL, he and Taylor can be a fierce part of this group.

After signing C.J. Mosley last offseason, linebacker is far from an immediate need for the Jets. However, there is a need for depth at the position and it never hurts to beef up with special teams players, which is what Jacob Phillips can be for New York.

Admittedly, Phillips is not ready to see substantial time on the field at linebacker. He must learn to see the game and plays develop better and process that to make plays before that can happen. Having said that, the LSU product is a fine athlete with nice physical tools that will allow him to play in a rotational/situational role and on punt and kickoff coverage.

No one is going to be knocking down the door at the NFL Draft to select James Lynch. But whatever team does pick the Baylor product is going to be happy they did. No, he’s not a physically dominant player with either size or athleticism but he was still highly effective in college.

Lynch plays a relentless brand of football, showing a motor that never quits for 60 minutes and throughout the course of a given play. If he can play a rotational role on the Jets defensive line, he can be an aggressive player that has the mental ability to show up and create disruption.