That one stings. Jets fans heard this morning that Tyreek Hill wanted out, then it comes out that the Jets and Dolphins were the two favorites to land him, and then Hill chose Miami all in a couple hour span. In what began as a mundane day of the NFL offseason as the free agency frenzy has quieted down, the brief hope that the team could land one of the most electric players in football led to nothing but disappointment. It will go down as a huge missed opportunity and now everyone is left wondering how the Jets will go about surrounding quarterback Zach Wilson with talent to help accelerate his development.
Calvin Ridley may have been an option until he wasn’t. Davante Adams went to another AFC team. D.K. Metcalf is reportedly unavailable. Ditto Brandin Cooks. So basically, Joe Douglas and the New York Jets are in the same position they were yesterday. Turning to the draft to fill their needs.
It is very interesting to note that the Jets were much more in on Hill than they were Davante Adams. Yes, Hill is a couple years younger than the former Packer, but I think it is more the differing skillsets that sets the two players apart in Douglas’ eyes. Last offseason, Douglas mentioned speed as something he thought the team was lacking. Elijah Moore helps in that area, however the interest in Tyreek Hill indicates the organization is not satisfied yet. So with the free agent and trade options dried up, who can the Jets turn to in the draft to unlock another level of their offense?
Jameson Williams. I have written about the Alabama standout before, and I am still of the belief that he is the best wide receiver in this draft class. Williams is an absolutely electric playmaker, and a torn ACL is the only thing holding him back from being a high first round draft pick. Even so, he is likely to go in between the Jets 10th pick and their selections in the second round, so a trade down in the first or a trade up from the second seem like the best avenues to add Williams in the draft.
In an 8-game span this season during the heart of the SEC schedule, Williams put up 1,081 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He was just getting better and better as the season went along, and it would have been awesome to see him in the 40-yard dash if he was healthy, because man can he fly. He may not be ready for the start of the NFL season, but he is worth the long-term investment. Pairing Williams with another high draft pick to ensure a deep receiving core would be a fantastic route for the Jets to go in Las Vegas in a month’s time.
It remains to be seen where Joe Douglas chooses to audible to after missing out on Tyreek Hill. But if his comments and actions are an indication, look for New York to add speed in the form of Jameson Williams this offseason.
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