Ohio State’s Darron Lee embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New York Jets as the 20th pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL football draft, Thursday in Chicago.
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They did just that in the second round by grabbing Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg with the 51st overall pick, a move that doesn’t solve the Jets’ starting quarterback vacancy.
With 2015 starter Ryan Fitzpatrick still locked in a contract squabble with the Jets, Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and Hackenberg are the quarterbacks on their current roster. Fitzpatrick, who led the Jets to a 10-6 record last season and threw for 3,905 yards and 31 touchdown passes (a franchise record), is reportedly being offered somewhere between $7-8 million per season by the Jets.
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan reiterated last week that Fitzpatrick remains the team’s priority, adding that “it may take some time” before it’s resolved.
The Jets picked Lee ahead of UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, who fell down draft boards due to knee concerns, and the Ohio State linebacker will play behind a defensive line full of first-round talent.
So, Osweiler got a deal averaging $18 million per season, and Bradford got one with a $17.5 average. The Jets’ public spin is they’re willing to wait until training camp for a resolution.
“I think you’re defined by how you react to not success but failure and adversity”, he said. Then O’Brien left to take the Texans job, and Hackenberg’s last two seasons were fluctuated between inconsistent to bad. He’ll turn 34 next season, has never brought a team to the playoffs, and he melted on the Jets’ biggest stage last season, throwing three fourth-quarter interceptions in their final game, costing them a postseason spot.
“It doesn’t change anything in our approach to Ryan”, Maccagnan said.
His 2,525 yards were the lowest in his three years at Penn State.
“We like Ryan. We’ve said this from Day 1”. Hackenberg was one of my least favorite quarterbacks in this class. He did face some poor circumstances at Penn State, but he developed into a very inaccurate quarterback with inconsistent mechanics. “I came a long way, but personally I feel I’m just getting started. I’m not really anxious”.
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Lee is looking forward to improving at his new position and should be a valuable draft pick.
