The Jets will enter another crucial NFL Draft this year as the franchise continues along its rebuild, and the team’s first two picks, both in the top 10, will be pivotal to get right if the team wants to take another step towards a brighter future.
Gang Green has plenty of needs heading into this year’s draft, but one draft analyst says New York should use its No. 4 overall pick on…a safety?
That’s right, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid says on the ESPN First Draft podcast that the Jets should take Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 4, addressing a glaring area of need while drafting a position not normally seen in the top five.
“I think he brings a different type of skillset in what Marcus Maye and also Jamal Adams brought to the forefront,” Reid said. “You find yourself in trouble a lot when you’re reaching for need, especially in the top 10. You need to make sure when you’re selecting that high that you get players that can help you right away, and Kyle Hamilton can definitely bring that to the table.”
Maye was a second-round pick for the Jets in 2019, while Adams was taken sixth overall in 2017, and promptly earned two Pro Bowl selections in his three season with New York. Of course, that didn’t end well as Adams wanted out and was eventually dealt to Seattle, but in terms of talent in his early years with the Jets, the pick at No. 6 was justifiable. Taking a safety even earlier would certainly raise eyebrows, which Reid acknowledges, but still thinks it’s something Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh should consider.
“I think that’s gonna bring a lot of reluctance to Jets fans,” Reid said. “I know people are gonna be like ‘Man, what is this guy talking about?’”
Hamilton was a consensus All-American in 2021 and an undeniable star for the Fighting Irish, though his year was cut short due to injury before declaring for the draft. Our first Audacy mock draft actually has Hamilton going to New York with the fourth pick, as did Mel Kiper Jr. in his latest mock. The reason? Defense is a desperate area of need for a Jets team that had the worst defense in the league last season, and picked off just seven passes, the second fewest in all of football.
“The Jets defense was historically bad last year…why not take a player like a Kyle Hamilton with the fourth overall selection?” Reid said. “I think it’s a situation where they just need to collect and get the best player possible.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch