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Jets' Draft Grades All Over the Board

Pundits Liked the Early Defensive Additions of Darron Lee & Jordan Jenkins

**NFL.com**Chad Reuter, Draft Analyst
Grade: A-
The skinny: In five years, Lee has a chance to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL. This is really good value. Hackenberg is an enigma, but an okay second-round pick. But if Ryan Fitzpatrick refuses to sign after that pick, it could mean disaster for 2016. Jenkins is a really good pick in the third round, and should excel as a linebacker setting the edge and rushing the passer. Burris gives good depth in the secondary. Shell will be at least a long-term swing tackle, if not a future starter for the Jets. Edwards has a big leg and would have been highly recruited as an undrafted free agent. I like the Peake pick late in the draft, though he'll need to prove he has the hands to stick in the league.

CBSSports.com
Rob Rang, The Sports Xchange
Grade: B
Todd Bowles was a master at creating exotic and aggressive blitz packages while serving as defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals and few players in the 2016 draft offer more creativity than first round pick Darron Lee, a heat-seeking missile.The Jets followed that up with third rounder Jordan Jenkins, who was more productive than top 10 pick Leonard Floyd at Georgia.

Of course, the selection everyone is going to talk about is quarterback Christian Hackenberg, whose technique faltered once Bill O'Brien left Penn State for the Houston Texans but possesses the size, arm strength and grit to ultimately rise past Geno Smith and Bryce Petty (and Ryan Fitzpatrick?) to be the Jets' starting quarterback —  though not necessarily in 2016. Of New York's Day Three selections, offensive tackle Brandon Shell (the nephew of Hall of Famer Art Shell) offers the length and physicality worthy of developing.

**CBSSports.com**
Pete Prisco, Senior NFL Columnist
Grade: B
Best pick: For me, it was taking Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the second round. Contrary to most, I think he will become a quality starting quarterback.

Questionable move: It was taking Hackenberg. I get it. It's a questionable move, but no guts, no glory.

Third-day gem: Offensive lineman Brandon Shell. He was a four-year starter at South Carolina. Doing that in a good conference matters. He's a big, physical kid who might have to move to right tackle.

Analysis: If Hackenberg develops into a starting quarterback, which the Jets think he can, this will be a great draft. If he doesn't, it's a flop. It's that simple. Getting linebacker Darron Lee in the first was a nice choice.

Hackenberg Grade: A I love this pick by the Jets. This kid has a ton of talent. Nice job — Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) April 30, 2016

**SI.com**
Chris Burke, NFL Writer
Grade: B-
Not even really sure how to calculate the grade on this one, if we're being honest. The Lee selection deserves at least an A-minus — he brings much-needed athleticism (and a little blitzing ability) to the Jets' linebacking corps. Call the pick of edge-setting OLB Jordan Jenkins a B, provided New York can get him on the field. Burris—a 6-foot tall physical corner—and seventh-round WR Charone Peake bring value to the table, but the Hackenberg pick throws a wrench into it all.

**FoxSports.com**
*Pete Schrager, Senior National Writer
Grade: *B-
Darron Lee was one of my favorite players in this draft, and though I was told he could go anywhere from 15-25, I was a bit surprised some of the teams in that 15-19 range passed on him. So the Jets get the Lavonte David clone and a guy who'll work perfectly in Todd Bowles' scheme. I am not a Christian Hackenberg guy, but I'm the same guy who didn't love Russell Wilson and Blake Bortles coming out of college. So what do I know? With Muhammad Wilkerson's contract situation a bit murky and D'Brickashaw Ferguson no longer there, I would have liked to have seen a few more offensive and defensive line talents taken. Brandon Shell is a project.

Best value pick: Juston Burris, CB, North Carolina State, 118th overall

Darron Lee Christian Hackenberg Jordan Jenkins

Regardless of order, that's a great haul for the @nyjets on my board. — Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 30, 2016

**ESPN **
Mel Kiper, Jr, Draft Guru
Grade: B-
It's a symptom of the draft process that the same person could be excited about an FCS quarterback with barely a year and a half of starting experience drafted No. 2 overall -- and for a boatload of picks! -- and criticize the Jets for taking Christian Hackenberg at a reasonable value slot in Round 2. The reality is we just don't know what either will become, but while I had Connor Cook rated higher, I don't think the value range is too bad for Hackenberg if they feel he can be a starter. I think Hackenberg can get there, but he needs a lot of work with Chan Gailey. I think it's an awful idea to throw him out there early.

Elsewhere, I like this draft. The Jets got better at linebacker with Darron Lee, my No. 15 overall player taken at 20. Third-rounder Jordan Jenkins out-produced No. 9 overall pick Leonard Floyd at Georgia. Juston Burris is a good press corner who can contribute in this system. Brandon Shell is a talented project at tackle. Charon Peake is a guy I thought could go much earlier because of his physical skills, but if he's healthy he has a chance to stick. The story of this draft might very well end up about the success or failure of Hackenberg, but in Round 2 it's a decent bet to make.

**SBNation.com**
Dan Kadar, NFL Draft Editor
Grade: B-
Best pick:Lee - Even though the Jets may slowly ease him into the lineup, Lee is a dynamic player on defense who can fly around the field.

Questionable pick: Hackenberg - It's true, the Jets loved Hackenberg, but it was a stunning move to see him get drafted in the second round.

GM Mike Maccagnan, HC Todd Bowles and Owner Woody Johnson Welcome the 2016 Draftees to the Jets

USA Today Lindsay H. Jones
Grade: C-
The Jets seem to love Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg more than the masses do, but right now picking him early in the second round seems like a gamble. New York did well in taking Ohio State LB Darron Lee in the first, however. He shouldn't have to leave the field in Todd Bowles' defense.

ProFootballFocus.com Steve Palazzolo Grade: C-Day 1: We don't hate Lee as a player, but we saw him as more of a second- or third-round player than a first-round option. His athleticism stands out, but it hasn't translated into the strong coverage ability in college everyone has projected for him in the NFL. He posted a negative grade in coverage in 2014, and an average mark in 2015. However, he's shown to be an excellent blitzer and that should be a weapon in head coach Todd Bowles' scheme, which blitzed 43.3 percent of the time last season, third in the NFL.Day 2:As for Jenkins, he's a solid run-stopping outside linebacker ( 14.9 run grade, ninth in the class in 2015), and he's had two strong years of production to provide an indication the he'll be a solid player in the Jets' scheme on the edge.

Day 3:Burris has good size and he was productive for NC State, surrendering only 0.71 yards per cover snap, good for ninth in the draft class. Shell only allowed seven pressures all year, but he struggled with the best of the SEC competition.

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