2016 Jets, NFL Mock Draft: New York may tab Leonard Floyd, Le’Raven Clark

However the Ryan Fitzpatrick drama shakes out, Gang Green still has many other holes to fill. And with not much salary cap relief, the draft is the way for general manager Mike Maccagnan to replenish the roster.

It seems as if every other year that the Jets are in need of a franchise signal caller. But at No. 20, there may not be a quarterback worthy of that status. If the draft board shakes out the way many pundits predict, the Jets could have a plethora of pass rushers available for them – and that, not quarterback, is the team’s primary need.

Naturally, the draft rarely plays out the way people expect, but here’s a look at the potential matches for a Jets team that is on the cusp of playoff contention.

Round 1 (20 overall): Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia – It’s safe to say the Jets haven’t had a true pass-rushing menace since John Abraham was dominating – but that was a decade ago. Floyd is 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and runs a 4.55 forty-yard dash. Despite his streamlined build, Floyd will be one of the best remaining pass rushers on the board, and can easily add a little more mass to his frame and successfully play the strongside.

Round 2 (51 overall): Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech – They added former Pro Bowl, but oft-injured left tackle Ryan Clady via trade with the Denver Broncos. But there’s still room to add depth along the offensive line. The Clady trade was necessitated due to the retirement of D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Clark, 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, is a mountain of a man who is durable (he started 51-straight games) and accomplished (All-Big 12 honors and second-team All-American). He spent his last three seasons at left tackle following a freshman season that was spent at right guard. Many scouts think he can slide inside and be the hammer the Jets need as they try and beat opponents into submission with its revamped power running game. He’s pro-ready and tenacious – just what the Jets need.

Round 3 (83 overall): KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame – No more Antonio Cromartie opposite Darrelle Revis, meaning the Jets have the likes of Buster Skrine and Dee Milliner to contest for that vacancy. Russell, though, would be a nice addition to the camp battle, as the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder possesses 4.44 speed in the forty-yard dash and is very good at press coverage, despite his slight build. Russell missed the 2014-15 season for the Irish due to a suspension for academic improprieties, but came back strong, last season, when he tallied 60 tackles, two picks, and four passes defended. He’d be a good find at No. 83 overall.