Post Draft Thought – It’s Time for Wilson and Jones to Step Up

By Lenn Robbins ,The New York Extra/TheNYExtra.com

This could all be for naught, you know.

All this optimism. All this celebration. All this shockingly-appealing narrative that the Jets and Giants finally have themselves highly-functioning front offices; front offices that crushed the 2022 NFL Draft.

It could all mean little if the hands that rock the cradles aren’t ring-worthy.

Because as breathtakingly-good as the Jets drafted, (who gets the No.1-ranked player at two positions?!) and as equally impressive as the Giants selected (who gets anchor pieces on both lines?!), this success will be a footnote if quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Daniel Jones turn out to be franchise-crushing flops.

But let us revel. Let us rejoice. Because really, what exactly has a New York area football fan had to be happy about over the last half decade? No, we’ve been thisclose to paying the five cents at the local grocery store and using those brown paper bags as masks.

Wilson, Jones – you’re up.

 GM Joe Douglas gave Wilson the draft’s No1.-ranked runner in Iowa State’s Breece Hall and one of the top three receivers in Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson. Douglas and Co. also snagged a lockdown corner in Cincinnati’s Sauce Gardner, arguably the No.1 pick at that spot, a pass-rushing defensive end in FSU’s Jermaine Johnson II and one of the top three tight ends in the Buckeye’s Jeremy Ruckert, a 6-foot-6, 257-pound Gronk-like player.

But if Wilson can’t make that crucial improvement leap from struggling rookie to Year Two legit starter, then the Jets, a better team today on paper, will not have a much better record next season.

For all the good work that Douglas has done – clearing cap space, making prudent free agent signings, executive terrific trades that garnered the Jets four high picks in the first two rounds – he’ll be burdened by having used the No.2 overall pick last year on Wilson if the QB doesn’t deliver.

“Yeah, I think last time I was with you guys talking about the importance of Zach’s development and getting guys that can help,” said Douglas. “I feel like all three of these guys can help Zach in different ways whether it’s helping him on the field on offense or getting the ball back to him as quick as possible.

“Feel great about Garrett (Wilson) at the value we were able to get him. His play making ability, his explosiveness, ball skills, run after catch, he’s a very talented young man.”

The Jets came into the draft needing a vertical threat on the outside. Garrett Wilson, checks that box.

The Jets needed a pass-rushing menace. Johnson II checks that box.

Every team in the league craves a corner who can neutralize the opponent’s game breaker. Gardner checks that box.

Ruckert can be every-down tight end because of his blocking and willingness to work the middle of the field. And if you’re looking for the possible pleasant surprise in this draft, fourth-round pick Michael Clemons, a defensive end from Texas A&M, has a chance to contribute early.

“Yeah, I think last time I was with you guys talking about the importance of Zach’s development and getting guys that can help,” said Douglas. “I feel like all three of these guys can help Zach in different ways whether it’s helping him on the field on offense or getting the ball back to him as quick as possible.

“Feel great about Garrett (Wilson) at the value we were able to get him. His play making ability, his explosiveness, ball skills, run after catch, he’s a very talented young man.”

Who had a better draft? Maybe the Giants. Maybe not. But isn’t it great to have this debate.

The Giants built a team the way a team should be built– from the inside out. With the fifth overall pick they took DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has the talent to emerge as the next great pass-rushing menace. Anyone who still questions the value of getting to the quarterback simply watch the last two Super Bowls.

Conversely, a team that can protect its quarterback can put up a lot of points, crucial in today’s NFL. In Alabama tackle Evan Neal, the Giants got the player many believe was the best tackle with the No.7 pick.

Jones now has two elite Southeastern Conference tackles in Neal and last year’s No.1 pick Andrew Thomas protecting his strong and weakside. This is Secret Service level protection.

The Giants also signed center Jon Feliciano and guards Mark Glowinski and Max Garcia to further fortify the line.

Now they get to see if Jones can be a franchise quarterback when he has the protection he’s lacked the last four seasons.

“I think so,” said Giants GM Joe Schoen said. “We’ve got some big bodies too. Start there. Start up front and see the best version of Daniel Jones we can. I think that starts by keeping him on his feet.”

The Giants then took to the perimeter. Second-round pick Wan’Dale Robinson from Kentucky is going to be known as Won’Der Man by Big Blue fans. The 5-8, 174-pound gyro of stops and cuts is a fantasy football dream.

Cornerback Cardale Flott from LSU and safety Dane Belton from Iowa are players who will make the squad for their special teams play alone although both could easily be in the rotation. The Giants are a much better team on paper today but if Jones doesn’t step up, the record next season might not be better.

The Giants are a better team. The Jets are a much better team.

Now the quarterbacks need to show they can be better.