The Jets will kick off their critical off-season evaluation process in Mobile, Ala., for Senior Bowl week. General manager Mike Maccagnan & Co. have plenty of roster upgrades in mind, including bolstering the offensive line and pass rush.
Here’s a six-pack of prospects to keep an eye on this week:
Montez Sweat, Mississippi State EDGE
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and Montez Sweat (Getty Images/AP/NYDN composite)
Sweat doesn’t have the sizzle like projected No. 1 overall pick Nick Bosa, Kentucky’s Josh Allen or Florida State’s Jachai Polite, but there’s no denying his production the past two seasons since transferring from Michigan State.
The 6-6, 245-pound Sweat has racked up 22 ½ sacks and 30 tackles for loss in his final 26 games in college. It’s unclear if he makes the best sense in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ attacking 4-3 scheme, but there’s no denying that he has the skills to make a difference at the next level.
Sweat is obviously not a candidate to be picked with the third overall pick, but Gang Green will be entertaining offers to trade down and collect more premium draft picks. Sweat could make sense depending on whether the Jets strike a deal to collect more premium draft capital.
Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech DE
The 6-5, 262-pound Ferguson isn’t exactly a household name, but he sure lit up the stat sheet last season by leading the country with 17 ½ sacks and finishing second with 26 tackles for loss. Ferguson’s career college numbers are staggering: 45 sacks and 67 ½ tackles for loss in four seasons will get everybody’s attention.
Ferguson has explosion, but he’s not an athletic freak. He’ll have a great opportunity to show NFL talent evaluators this week that his numbers aren’t a mirage. The Jets won’t take him in the first round, but he might be an intriguing option if they can collect more draft picks.
Dalton Risner, Kansas State OT
Dalton Risner. (Sue Ogrocki / AP)
It’s no secret that Maccagnan & Co. will need to make offensive upgrades to better serve and protect Sam Darnold. The 6-5, 308-pound Risner might be better suited to kick inside to guard at the next level. He can also play center.
Maccagnan needs to bring in more offensive linemen after grabbing only two of them in his first four drafts. The Jets will be looking to replace two or three linemen this offseason in addition to beefing up their depth.
Risner will likely be a second-third rounder. The Jets don’t have a second-round pick thanks to the trade with the Colts last year that landed Darnold. Things will change quickly, of course, if Gang Green moves out of the No. 3 spot.
Andre Dillard, Washington State OT
The 6-5, 310-pound Dillard has proven to be solid in pass protection in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense.
The three-year starter has good feet and length. He has the skill set to be productive in a zone-blocking scheme, but there are fair questions about his strength at the point of attack right now.
Regardless, he’s an intriguing option on Day 2 for a team that will be looking to improve their offensive line.
Zach Allen, Boston College DE
Zach Allen. (Gerry Broome / AP)
Allen has been a disruptor the past two years even if he hasn’t gotten home as much as he would have liked. The 6-5, 285-pounder had 15 and 15 ½ tackles for loss the past two seasons, respectively, but only managed 10 ½ sacks in the past 26 games.
Allen has the tools to be a difference maker off the edge at the next level. He’s a first-round talent, who would come into play if the Jets decide to get creative and wheel and deal.
Michael Dieter, Wisconsin OL
The versatile offensive lineman started a school-record 54 games at three different spots: Left guard, center and left tackle. The 6-6, 321-pounder is probably best suited at guard right now. His position flexibility is intriguing for a team that desperately needs an influx of talent up front.
