Jets show big interest in one of the draft’s first round playmakers
When Jets’ owner Woody Johnson was asked about improving the team, he didn’t hesitate in what the problem was. “Offense, offense, offense,” Johnson said. “We are fully focused on it — every player, every play, every practice. So far the offseason has mostly been about improving the offense. Joe Douglas and co brought in a […]
When Jets’ owner Woody Johnson was asked about improving the team, he didn’t hesitate in what the problem was. “Offense, offense, offense,” Johnson said. “We are fully focused on it — every player, every play, every practice.
So far the offseason has mostly been about improving the offense. Joe Douglas and co brought in a veteran backup quarterback in Tyrod Taylor, they brought in Mike Williams to pair with Garrett Wilson at wide receiver and they replaced 3/5 of their putrid offensive line from last season. It has so far all been about ‘offense, offense, offense’.
That apparently will carry over to the draft as well.
On Wednesday, the Jets brought in star University of Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze for an official visit. Odunze is considered to be a top two or three wide receivers in a very deep and talented wide receiver class.
James Foster has Odunze as the number three wide receiver in this draft class and sixth best player overall on his Big Board rankings.
The Argument For Drafting Odunze
Simply put: talent.
A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson gave this analysis of Odunze:
Odunze will walk into the NFL on day one as a ready made ball-winner. Seldom winning with pure speed or nuanced routes, with Odunze, it doesn’t matter. His physicality, size, catch radius, hands and competitiveness render tight coverage virtually useless. Odunze just out muscles and out jumps the competition. And with good short area quickness and fluidity, Odunze also projects to be a factor after the catch in the NFL.
Odunze has all the skills to be an immediate impact type of player and give the Jets a 1-2 punch with Garrett Wilson for years to come. Mike Williams will be the number two wide receiver for the year allowing the Jets to bring Odunze along, but Williams’ history combined with Rodgers’ tutelage will make sure Rome doesn’t spend all season on the bench.
At Washington, Odunze averaged 109 yards per game on 92 receptions and 13 touchdowns for the Championship Game losing Huskies.
The Argument to Pass on Odunze
Jets fans might not want to hear this considering how last season went, but Allen Lazard is still very much on the team and is still very much making $11 million this season. You have to believe that he will have a bounce back season with Rodgers returning to the helm.
But even if he doesn’t, at some point the Jets will need to develop their own players instead of waiting for top draft choices or free agents. Xavier Gipson played well in the slot and the Jets will look for a jump in year two. Jason Brownlee stole training camp last year and then was barely used during the season. At some point, these types of players need to have sustained success.
You can’t build a championship team if your impact players are only coming via free agency and the top of the draft.
Wide receiver is an interesting position on the Jets roster because there is some talent on the bottom half of the depth chart, but there is also some room for improvement on the top half. Could Odunze come in and immediately be the number two guy behind Wilson? Sure. Could Lazard bounce back, Williams stay healthy, and Gipson and/or Brownlee take a step in their development? Sure.
Final Thought
Joe Douglas has done a fantastic job of giving the Jets flexibility and options in the draft. They don’t need any position but could use almost every position. This will allow Douglas to take whomever he feels is the best player available to him when the Jets are on the clock.
If he believes Odunze is a generational talent, take him. If he feels like he has never seen a more talented tight end than Brock Bowers, take him. If he is positive Taliese Fuaga is a Pro Bowl tackle for the next decade, take him.
Do not draft based on positional need. Draft based on talent evaluation.
No word on if there was any kind of breakfast sandwich waiting for Odunze on the visit.
Unknown Jets player will dictate what the Jets do with their first round pick in the draft
The New York Jets have had a very busy offseason thus far. Joe Douglas seems to be going down his wish list and checking things off one by one. The top of the wish list was certainly to rebuild the offensive line that was ranked one of the worst in the league in every metric […]
