A look at what's happening around the New York Jets:
1. Forget the norms: Coach Aaron Glenn summed up his draft philosophy this way:
"If you love the player, go get the player. I truly believe in that. If you love the player, go get him, regardless of what everybody thinks, regardless of positional value."
Glenn said this approach, which he learned from mentor Sean Payton, is shared by general manager Darren Mougey.
This is particularly noteworthy for the Jets, who are sitting with the No. 2 overall pick in a draft top-heavy with players at non-premium positions -- off-ball linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State), running back Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and, to a certain extent, linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese (Ohio State).
Some drafts are loaded with blue-chip prospects at premium positions -- quarterback, edge rusher, etc. This isn't one of those years, which creates a fascinating decision for the Jets, who need help at a lot of positions.
Glenn was a member of the Detroit Lions' coaching staff in 2023, when it got torched by critics for drafting running back Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 12 overall) and off-ball linebacker Jack Campbell (No. 18). Coach Dan Campbell, another Payton disciple, got the last laugh. Gibbs and Campbell have developed into Pro Bowl players.
Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey recorded 154 pressures in 823 pass rushes over 48 career games (34 for Stanford, 14 for Texas Tech), which computes to an 18.7% pressure rate -- tops among FBS players since 2016. AP Photo/Julio Cortez Of course, it's easier to go against the grain when you're picking in the middle of the first round, as opposed to near the top.
Mougey too worked under Payton -- 2023-2024 with the Denver Broncos. In those years, their drafts were relatively traditional, meaning no non-premium positions in the first two rounds.
Mougey and Glenn stuck to the norm last year in their first draft together, taking an offensive tackle (Armand Membou) at No. 7 overall. Membou addressed a need at a premium position. Easy peasy.
This year presents a different dynamic.
If the Jets adhere to a conventional approach, the choice likely would be David Bailey (Texas Tech), a pure edge rusher. He too would address a need. Some evaluators believe Reese has a higher ceiling than Bailey as a rusher, though he's still a work in progress because of a limited number of pass-rushing opportunities in college.