Scouts Inc.: New York Jets score unprecedented haul in NFL draft
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:
1. Rare trifecta: Coach Robert Saleh called it a “dream” first round. It was one for the ages, according to one scouting service.
The Jets became the first team in the history of Scouts Inc., which has been evaluating prospects for ESPN.com since 2004, to select three players with a grade of 92 or better (on a 100 scale) in the same draft.
Cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner: 93
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson: 93
Defensive end Jermaine Johnson II: 92
That’s a pretty good haul for the Jets, considering only 14 players received a 92 or better.
“I think they had an awesome [first day],” a scout from an opposing team said. “You can make an argument that all three of those guys were the best at their position this year.”
Saleh, who previously said Becton would compete with George Fant at left tackle, backed away from that on Saturday, hinting that Becton could move to right tackle. Saleh was unusually vague. Asked if Becton could switch to the right side, Saleh said, “We’ll see as soon as we can get him back here healthy, and he’s ready to roll, and he’s on the field.”
By rule, teams aren’t allowed to criticize players for skipping voluntary workouts, which is what Becton is doing, but Saleh made it clear that he’d like him in the offseason program. At one point, the coach looked at the camera and said, “We would love to have you back, buddy. We’ll take care of you.”
The Jets better hope Becton doesn’t let them down because they don’t have a Morgan Moses insurance policy anymore.
7. Extreme makeover: Zach Wilson showed up to the offseason program with a different demeanor, according to one teammate. Said Fant: “My guy came back with a little more swag. … He definitely came back with a little something different.”
This is a huge year for the second-year quarterback, who now has a supporting cast that has a chance to be pretty good. That awful Adam Gase-led offense from 2019, which included the washed-up, overpaid RB Le’Veon Bell, is completely gone. Every projected starter on the current offense was acquired in 2020, 2021 or 2022.
Success won’t happen overnight because there’s still a lot of inexperience, but the pressure is on Wilson to take a big step and grow with this group.
“I appreciate their confidence in me, and I think they understand that quarterback efficiency in this league … it’s how you win games, it’s how you’re explosive on offense,” Wilson said last week. “So I need to do my part. I need to get better. I need to let the guys around me make the plays that they were brought in for.”
8. Uphill battle: The addition of Garrett Wilson certainly creates questions about Denzel Mims, who projects as the WR5 at best. That he doesn’t play special teams, a virtual must for a receiver in that role, doesn’t help his chances. The prediction here is that the Jets bring him to training camp and give him an opportunity to turn the arrow upward. If nothing else, it could increase his trade value. If he sputters, adios.
9. Sam and Adams: A final tally on the Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold trades with the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers, respectively:
The Jets turned the Adams picks (2021 and 2022 first-rounders and a 2021-third rounder) into guard Vera-Tucker and Garrett Wilson, two potential longtime starters. They used that third-round pick to trade up for Vera-Tucker.
They got three picks for Darnold — a 2021 sixth-round choice, plus 2022 second- and fourth-rounders. They parlayed them into four players — DB Jason Pinnock, DT Jonathan Marshall, Hall and OT Max Mitchell.
Having that extra pick in Round 2 created flexibility, allowing them to use one (No. 35) to trade up for Johnson. That has to be factored into the equation. On paper, the Jets did well with those two trades.
10. The last word: This happened in the green room Thursday night at the draft in Las Vegas. After completing his media obligations, Gardner saw Garrett Wilson wearing a Jets cap while talking to reporters. That’s how he found out they had picked Wilson. Gardner thought to himself, “Oh, man, this is going to be crazy.” Then, in a phone conversation with cornerbacks coach Tony Oden, Gardner learned they had traded up for Johnson.
Said Gardner: “I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, this team is going to be special.'”
