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Jets general manager Joe Douglas doesn’t just want good football players. He wants leaders.
That may sound cliche, but Douglas made the notion a point of emphasis in his first draft as Jets general manager by drafting five former college captains in a row. That includes Florida running back La’Mical Perine, Florida International quarterback James Morgan, Charlotte offensive tackle Cameron Clark, Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall and Texas A&M punter Braden Mann.
Morgan was voted the Pat Tillman Award winner for his leadership skills at the Shrine Bowl practices. Clark, meanwhile, was the Offensive Team MVP in 2017 at Charlotte.
“I feel like we added a lot of quality football players and quality people,” Douglas told reporters after the draft. “We feel good about where we are right now.”
Douglas said before the draft that he wants to build a good culture with the Jets. That starts with bringing in not only talented football players, but good human beings. Douglas wants to have players who hold each other accountable for their mistakes both on and off the field.
It’s not something all general managers consider when drafting a player or signing a free agent. However, it’s an important aspect to building a successful football team.
It’s definitely something different for the Jets, but it’s a good path to be on for a team that is trying to establish a new identity in the NFL.