The first night of the 2016 NFL Draft brought clarity for the New York Jets in some areas, while leaving plenty of intrigue elsewhere (cough, quarterback, cough). Let's take a look at Gang Green the morning after they selected Ohio State outside linebacker Darron Lee with the 20th overall pick.
1. Jets couldn't ignore their linebacker problem: The Jets have now used their last eight first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball. You have to go all the way back to 2009 to break the streak -- that's the year they traded up to No. 6 to take some guy named Mark Sanchez. Why go to the D well yet again? For starters, outside linebacker was a desperate position of need. Lee steps into the spot left vacant when Demario Davis signed with the Browns in free agency. He gives the Jets a much-needed boost of speed on defense and creates a succession plan with David Harris entering his age-32 season. Lee is slightly undersized for the position, but Jets fans should trust coach Todd Bowles' instincts on this side of the ball.
2. Fitz kisses his remaining leverage goodbye: When the Broncos traded up five spots to grab Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, it cut Ryan Fitzpatrick's market down to just one team -- the Jets. ESPN reported Thursday that Fitzpatrick would be inclined to not play this season before taking the Jets' current offer, believed to be in the $8-to-$10 million range annually. Don't buy it. That would be a lot of scratch to leave on the table for a 33-year-old journeyman passer. Fitz's pride is hurt, but like Marsellus Wallace once said, "Pride only hurts. It never helps."
3. Speaking of Paxton Lynch ... Time will tell if the Jets will live to regret passing on the physically gifted former Memphis star, but it's hard to blame them. Lynch is a project. He comes out of a spread system and will take time to learn the pro game. Sound familiar? The Jets are in the middle of another construction project named Bryce Petty, who they took in the fourth round out of Baylor a year ago. Lynch was a tantalizing option for a team that's been looking for a franchise QB since Joe Willie, but Lynch wasn't the right fit.
4. Big Mo is staying home ... probably:Muhammad Wilkerson wasn't moved during the first day of the draft, and he's unlikely to be traded any time soon. "I don't envision that happening," general manager Mike Maccagnan said after the Jets' first selection on Thursday night. ESPN.com reported that the Jets fielded calls in the week leading up to the draft, but no serious suitors emerged. Any team would love to have Wilkerson on its defensive line, but his uncertain contract situation makes him a tough sell in a mega-deal. We'll find out just how peeved Wilkerson is when mandatory workouts begin. Don't expect to see him in Florham Park before that.
5. What's next? The Jets have just five more picks in this draft. We expect them to address offensive line with one of their two picks on Friday night. The unit lacks depth and just said goodbye to stalwart D'Brickashaw Ferguson. The line hasn't been a draft priority for years -- that should change soon. The Jets will also likely draft with an eye on special teams -- their unit was awful last season and is desperate for an infusion of young talent.
