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15 Predictions for the Jets' First-Round Draft Pick

With Less than 2 Months Until the 2016 NFL Draft, Pundits from Around the League Weigh In

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ESPN
Mel Kiper, Jr., Football Analyst
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
While I think Elliott could certainly qualify as "best player available" here, I'm not sure the Jets would take a running back this high. But that will be the question for every team, and Elliott sure would see the field for them.

NFL.com
Chad Reuter, Draft analyst
Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
With Calvin Pace a free agent, the Jets get another tall, long pass rusher to join a stout front line in confounding offensive lines across the league.

**Bleacher Report**
Matt Miller, NFL Draft Lead Writer
Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback, Clemson
The Jets will need to fix holes at running back and find an edge-rusher either in free agency or through the draft, but running back doesn't seem like a Round 1 pick.

**CBSSports.com**
Pete Prisco, Senior NFL Columnist
Kamalei Correa, OLB-DE, Boise State
He's a player who caught my eye on tape last week, and backed it up with an impressive combine. The Jets need edge rushers in their 3-4 scheme, something that has been lacking the past few years.

SB Nation
Dan Kadar
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
(Spence) could still go in the top 10, but falling to the 20th pick won't be a surprise either. Spence and Lorenzo Mauldin could give the Jets a nice, young duo to build a pass rush around.

NFL.com
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media analyst
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Elliott is clearly the top RB in this class and he will fit perfectly in this offense.

**NFL.com**
Bucky Brooks, NFL media analyst
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
Elliott is a versatile workhorse back capable of delivering explosive plays as a runner or receiver.

**NFL.com**
Lance Zierlein, NFL media analyst
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
The Jets could add a tight end, a talented defensive lineman or even an offensive tackle here. However, finding an edge rusher has been in play for quite a while, so let's make it happen.

**NFL.com**
Charles Davis
Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio St.
Adding more speed on the edge will benefit head coach Todd Bowles' defense. Lee can run, tackle, cover and rush the passer.

**SI.com**
Chris Burke, Senior Writer
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
The Alabama linebacker could be a dominant piece in Todd Bowles's defense, at least against the run. He is far from a non-factor on passing downs, too, with at least competent coverage skills and the wherewithal to blitz. Without an obvious edge-rusher fit available at 20, bringing in Ragland as the future defensive captain is the play.

**Pro Football Focus**
Steve Palazzolo
Shilique Calhoun, OLB, Michigan State
Seemingly forever in the market for an edge rusher, the Jets grab Calhoun who has been as disruptive off the edge as any non-Bosa in the draft. His +46.0 pass rush grade led all edge players in 2015 after ranking fifth in 2014 at +38.5. Though his run defense took a step back last year, Calhoun has the potential to be the top pass rushing edge defender in the draft.

**Bleacher Report**
Luke Easterling, Featured Columnist
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
With the likes of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and last year's top pick, Leonard Williams, the New York Jets have one of the NFL's most impressive defensive line units. What they're missing is an explosive, athletic edge player who can make plays in the backfield against both the pass and the run.


Bleacher Report

Chris Roling, Featured Columnist
Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida

**USA Today**
Nate Davis
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
At 6-6, 244 pounds, he won't be the stoutest guy at the point of attack. But Floyd is an explosive athlete who could bag a lot of quarterbacks by capitalizing from the mayhem the Jets' D-line sows.

**CBSSports.com**
Will Brinson, NFL Writer
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
Continuing to pump resources into the defense while hoping Chan Gailey and the Brandon Marshall/Eric Decker combo can hold up the offense gives the Jets playoff potential in 2016.

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