Take quarterbacks out of the equation, and it’s been more than a decade since the Jets used a first-round pick on a skill position.
The last was Dustin Keller. The Jets used the 30th overall pick in the 2008 draft on the Purdue tight end. Now, after 11 years, Gang Green is tied with the Steelers for the second-longest stretch without drafting a non-QB skill player in the first round. The Packers own the longest such streak at 17 years, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
#Jets draft factoid of the day: The last time they drafted a non-QB offensive skill player in the first round was TE @DUSTINKELLER81 (2008). At 11 years, they’re tied with the #Steelers for the second-longest streak. #Packers at 17 years (WR Javon Walker, 2002).
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 16, 2020
In the years since 2008, the Jets have used first-round picks on four defensive backs, three defensive tackles, two defensive ends and one linebacker. They have also drafted two quarterbacks — Mark Sanchez and Sam Darnold — since 2008.
Since Keller, wide receiver Devin Smith is the highest Gang Green has drafted a non-QB skill player. He was taken with the 37th overall pick (second round) in 2015. That didn’t work out very well for New York, as Smith battled injuries from the onset of his career.
Keller, meanwhile, was an effective tight end for the Jets, catching 17 touchdowns and totaling just under 3,000 yards over five seasons in New York.
The question now is whether or not the Jets will snap their streak, or whether the choice will even be left up to them.
Joe Douglas is expected to take an offensive lineman or a wide receiver with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft. However, given Douglas’ belief that the NFL is lacking when it comes to talent in the trenches, the safe bet is that he’ll go with a lineman if one of the top four tackles — Jedrick Wills Jr, Tristan Wirfs, Mehki Becton and Andrew Thomas — are available. If they’re not — which is certainly possible — the chance of Douglas taking a receiver like CeeDee Lamb, Henry Riggs III or Jerry Jeudy increases. If that happens, New York’s streak will be snapped.
If not, this is a talented receiver class and Douglas shouldn’t have a problem finding a capable one in the second round. With the 48th pick, however, Smith would still be the highest New York drafted a skill position player since Keller.