Grading the New York Jets' 2015 draft class

Photo credit: sportsmockery.com

For the first time in what seems like – and likely is – a very long time, the Jets exited draft weekend feeling good about what they did over the three-day span. Whether it was stopping the perceived slides of talented players or filling holes on both sides of the ball with guys who fit their needs and represented value, general manager Mike Maccagnan and his staff showed a shrewd understanding of how the draft process works.

The Jets entered the draft with six picks, one in each of the first four rounds and two in the seventh. They ended up making six picks, although only half of them were in the slots they had before Thursday’s first round thanks to two separate trades. How did Maccagnan perform in his draft debut?

Round 1, Pick 6: Leonard Williams, DL, USC

Widely projected as a top-five pick that wouldn’t fall past the Redskins, Williams became available to the Jets when Washington selected Iowa lineman Brandon Scherff. Many expected New York to take either West Virginia receiver Kevin White or a pass rusher like Clemson’s Vic Beasley, who came off the board at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively, but Williams was a great choice for the Jets.

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