Has Joe Douglas reversed the New York Jets draft failures?
A look at the Jets drafts since 2015 and through General Manager Joe Douglas’ first three years drafting and building the New York Jets roster.
There is a narrative out there about the New York Jets and their ability or lack of, to draft and develop players. Historically speaking there are a number of examples of past drafts with the Jets that have simply not worked out.
In fact, the players drafted between 2015 and 2019, five seasons prior to Joe Douglas being hired, 34 players were drafted, exactly three remain on the roster and 22 aren’t even on an NFL roster at the moment.
Douglas’ first draft was in 2020 and consisted of nine players. The book is still out on Mekhi Becton, as injuries have been an issue, and Bryce Hall, not to be confused with newly drafted running back, Breece Hall, is the lone starter to come out of the 2020 draft class.
So, as it stands now, Douglas seems to have mostly swung and missed with his first attempt to draft.
The 2021 NFL Draft seemingly has gone better thus far, with 10 selections which included offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, wide receiver Elijah Moore, and running back Michael Carter.
The 2021 draft also included the 2nd overall pick of the draft, Zach Wilson out of BYU. Wilson missed time last season, starting and playing in 13 games with only 2,334 yards passing. He also posted more interceptions, 11, than passing touchdowns, only nine.
He completed a lowly 55.6 percent of his passes. He did chip in four touchdowns on the ground but Wilson has a long way to go still before people start getting comfortable and believing in him as a franchise quarterback.
Joe Douglas’ third draft was by most accounts a hit. According to NFL.com draft grades, their draft scored an A and is considered one of the best drafts among all 32 teams.
They arguably drafted the best players at their respective positions with three of their first four picks, with cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and running back Breece Hall.
No matter how good the other players from the 2021 draft become, it will be measured almost exclusively on the arm of Zach Wilson. If he fails, Joe Douglas will forever be remembered as the GM who took the wrong quarterback with the 2nd pick of the 2021 draft.
As we all know, draft grades mean very little but are fun to apply to teams and give us all something to talk about.
True grades can only be accurately assessed two or three years after the class and quite honestly, Joe Douglas deserves another year or two before we decide if the New York Jets losing ways and struggles in the draft remain an issue.