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Joe Douglas answered a lot of questions about his plan for the Jets with what he did in the NFL Draft last week, but he obviously didn't answer all of them.
Here are some of the ones you tweeted to me this week, along with my answers in the latest edition of the SNY Jets Mailbag:
A risk/reward tackle at 11. One WR (13th one taken in the draft). A safety at 68 and a QB and RB in Round 4. Am I missing something or did Douglas really miss the mark? -- @wujan3
I think you're missing something because Douglas has gotten universally high marks for how he did in the draft -- including plenty of praise from me.
It wasn't perfect. I wasn't in love with spending a fourth-round pick on a quarterback (more on that later), and I wasn't crazy about their choice of DE Jabari Zuniga in Round 3. And I guess you could argue they should've added a second receiver -- maybe in that quarterback spot.
But the rest of it seemed good to me. Denzel Mims may have been the 13th receiver taken, but a lot of scouts thought he should go in the first round. And the fact that Douglas traded down, acquired picks and still got him was remarkable. The running back (La'Michal Perine) was needed because they don't really have a backup to Le'Veon Bell, and Bell is likely gone after this season. And the safety (Ashtyn Davis) is a versatile defensive back who could play multiple positions. Also, Marcus Maye is in the final year of his contract.
So no, I don't think Douglas missed the mark at all. Maybe on the quarterback. Maybe.
Why a developmental QB now? Especially 4th round? -- @BobbyVeap
Glad you asked. This is the reason: Some teams and GMs believe they should always have a young, developmental quarterback on their roster. They see that player as a future backup, maybe a future trade chip, or possibly someone they can use in an emergency. That's something Douglas noted the Jets learned last year when two quarterbacks went down, and Luke Falk just wasn't NFL ready.
Douglas comes from two organizations that embrace that philosophy -- particularly the Eagles who always seem to be adding quarterbacks to a depth chart headed by Carson Wentz. They just drafted Jalen Hurts, by the way.
I don't mind the philosophy. Having a young quarterback on the depth chart behind Sam Darnold certainly couldn't hurt. And I've heard nothing but good things about Florida International quarterback James Morgan. But I think a fourth-round pick is just too high to take a player you hope you'll never have to use. I would've waited until later in the draft. But that's me.
Why not draft another WR? -- @JimMaisano
The Jets will tell you that's just how the draft worked out, and they'll point to other needs they had to fill. Honestly, I thought they were going to use one of their third-round picks on a receiver. They could have gotten South Carolina's Bryan Edwards, and I would've preferred him to Zuniga.
I guess they think they have more depth than the rest of us do. Beyond Mims, Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman, I don't see a lot. I don't think Quincy Enunwa (neck) is going to play again. I'm not excited about veteran Josh Doctson, nor am I high on Braxton Berrios or Vyncint Smith. If any of them have to vault into the top three, it doesn't inspire confidence.
If I were them, I would've drafted another receiver at some point.
Video: Denzel Mims: Darnold's going to be my new best friend
Aside from good health, what do you want to see from Darnold this year? Is it a make-or-break year? -- @KonSeanneryy
Oh, I definitely wouldn't call it "make or break." I think it's a big year for Sam Darnold, but unless there's a wild drop-off in production and even ability, I don't think the Jets would be willing to move on from him if he has a disappointing year.
I wouldn't worry about that, though. Darnold is pretty good and he's had a lot working against him in his first two NFL seasons. Good health would be huge for him, but so is the idea that he's playing in the same offense for the second consecutive year -- something he hasn't done since his last two years of college.
He'll know the offense now. He'll be in a position where he can play fast and not be thinking too much. Every quarterback I've ever talked to says that when they reach that point, it has a huge impact on their game.
So I expect everything from Darnold -- better numbers, more leadership, a much more calm and confident demeanor. I think this will be the year he answers all the doubters. I don't know if he'll reach the ranks of the "elite" yet. But I think he could be pretty close.
Who is the most productive WR for Jets next year … Perriman, Mims or Crowder? -- @jackmc526
Crowder. I don't think he's the best, but the Adam Gase offense usually results in huge production from the slot. He sets up so much to take advantage of smaller, shiftier receivers like Crowder on short, crossing routes.
In a pretty terrible season with all sorts of QB issues, Crowder had 78 catches for 833 yards and six touchdowns last season. I wouldn't be shocked to see him closer to 100 catches this year.
Which Jets draft pick from day 3 is most likely to have the biggest impact this season and why? -- @BlaZeN37
That's easy. It's punter Braden Mann, their sixth-round pick. Obviously he's got a major role to play, but he also does it well. He's got an incredibly strong leg, and he's an accurate directional kicker. That can be a huge weapon. He can help tilt the field -- and aid the Jets' defense -- by pinning opponents inside their own 20.
So he could have a huge impact on the Jets' special teams, which will be a big help to the full team. Also, he's probably the only Day 3 pick who is going to regularly be on the field.