The New York Jets kicked off their first voluntary player workouts of the offseason and running back Breece Hall decided to take a pass. No longer under contract with the Jets, Hall has been hit with the franchise tag which he is yet to sign. The Jets have said they plan to revisit talks on an extension after the draft. Meanwhile, Hall has made it clear in the past through his social media accounts that he’d like to move on.
Should the Jets look to shop Breece Hall when the draft rolls around in a few days? They may want to consider it in an effort to add picks while considering a back for themselves to replace Hall. The idea of Jeremiyah Love with the second pick may be a bit rich for some, but there would be other options later on such as Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, Mike Washington out of Arkansas or Indiana’s Kaelon Black, who the Jets had in for a 30 visit.
As far as players who could fit in nicely with the outside of round one, here are a few names they may have to take earlier than the masses are projecting as we see them as being worthy of a higher selection than the pundits.
Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF: You have to look long and hard to find somebody who views Malachi Lawrence as a first-round pick. Projections that have Lawrence going in the top 32 are few and far between. We think that’s where he’ll go, but if he doesn’t, the Jets should pounce with pick 32.
WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State: Ted Hurst’s biggest flaw was playing at Georgia State instead of a a bigger program. Had he done that, he’d be garnering first-round consideration. When all is said and done, the first round is highly unlikely, but top fifty is far more likely than many seem to believe.
OG Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech: According to nfl draft database, Rutledge is projected to go just before pick number 60 but don’t be surprised if he goes in the top fifty. An old-school mauler who pops on film, Rutledge could go earlier than the experts are projecting.
C Logan Jones, Iowa: One of the top centers in the class, Jones would be a great addition to compete with Josh Myers for the team’s starting role and he is currently projected to be selected outside of the top 100. When the dust settles in Pittsburgh, don’t be surprised if he’s off the board before triple digits. Whether it’s Breece Hall, Jeremiyah Love or Emmett Johnson, any back running behind the Jets O-line with the addition of Jones would be tough to contend with.