{"id":77624,"date":"2025-04-22T18:03:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T22:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jetnation.com\/?p=77624"},"modified":"2025-04-22T18:03:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T22:03:44","slug":"top-jets-draft-classes-and-their-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/2025\/04\/22\/top-jets-draft-classes-and-their-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Jets Draft Classes and Their Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Draft is around the corner, as NFL Teams look to stock up on young talent to build the future of their respective organizations.\u00a0 Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey look to start their tenure with a bang by hitting on every Jets Draft<\/a><\/strong> pick possible.\u00a0 Not only building around Justin Fields, but adding to a roster that already has some young talent that\u2019s eager to win.<\/p>\n

As Jets fans know, the draft could go either two ways for the team.\u00a0 They could either have a John Idzik draft, where almost every draft pick could be a bust, or they could have an impactful draft, as they did in 2000 and 2022, where they hit on every draft pick, changing the course of the franchise for years to come.<\/p>\n

Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles have all had recent success over the past years.\u00a0 Coaching is a factor for sure, but drafting the right players can have a tremendous impact on the direction of a franchise.<\/p>\n

When you look at the New York Jets, their recent draft history has shown why they haven\u2019t qualified for NFL playoffs in 14 years, due to poor drafting.\u00a0 This first draft by the new regime is crucial for the franchise as it will determine the future of the team.<\/p>\n

Now that the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, let\u2019s take a second to look back at some of the top draft classes in the Jets’ history and how much they impacted the franchise.<\/p>\n

1977<\/h1>\n

1975 – 1977 was a tough stretch to be a Jets fan, 1976 has to be the worst of those years.\u00a0 For starters, legendary college football coach Lou Holtz was their head coach.\u00a0 In his first and only season in the NFL, it was a complete disaster that made the Adam Gase tenure look good.\u00a0 Lou Holtz admitted to Steve Sabol that he never watched an NFL game leading up to the Jets’ first preseason game of that year, which should summarize all you need to know about how the tenure went.\u00a0 The Jets that year only produced 12 points on offense while giving up 27.2 points per game, with an average point differential of -15.2.\u00a0 Lou Holtz would resign before the last game of that year against the Cincinnati Bengals.\u00a0 This period in the Jets’ history seems to be a forgotten one and probably should stay that way.<\/p>\n

Entering the 1977 draft, Walt Michaels took over as head coach and was hoping to bring a new energy to the Jets organization.\u00a0 This was also the first year in the post-Joe Namath era.<\/p>\n

In their first pick, they selected USC tackle Marvin Powell 4th overall, who would go on to become one of the best offensive linemen in Jets history.\u00a0 In his nine seasons, he would be selected to five pro bowls, three all-pros, and win team MVP honors in 1979.<\/p>\n

The next pick was stud wide-receiver Wesley Walker, who would play 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Jets.\u00a0 The second-rounder was known for playing with essentially one eye, as he was legally blind in his left eye.\u00a0 Walker became one of the best pass catchers in Jets history as he is only second to Don Maynard in the leading wide-receiver categories in catches, yards, and touchdowns.\u00a0 The two-time pro-bowler ended his career with 438 catches, 8,306 yards, and 71 touchdowns.\u00a0 Walker’s best game came against the Miami Dolphins in a week 3 matchup in 1986, where Walker had four receiving touchdowns in a QB duel in Ken O\u2019 Brian vs Dan Marino.<\/p>\n

The best of the class was none other than Hall-of-Fame defensive tackle Joe Klecko, who became a steal of a pick in the 6th round out of Temple University.\u00a0 A key member of the New York Sack Exchange, Klecko forged himself as one of the best defenders in Jets history.\u00a0 At the end of his career, he was a two-time all-pro, four-time pro-bowler, led the league in sacks in 1981, in the Jets Ring of Honor, and had his No. 73 retired by the Jets.\u00a0 It’s criminal that he didn\u2019t get called into Canton sooner, but he finally got the call in 2023.<\/p>\n

Dan Alexander played 13 seasons for the Jets as their starting guard for almost his whole career.<\/p>\n

Kevin Long led the team in rushing in 1978 with 954 rushing yards.<\/p>\n

This draft class would be crucial in determining how good the Jets would be in the 80s.\u00a0 Two members of the sack exchange came out of this draft along with a starting safety.<\/p>\n

Marty Lyons, selected 14th overall out of Alabama, playing under Bear Bryant, Lyons brought toughness and hard-nose football to the Jets’ defense.\u00a0 A key member of the sack exchange, the defensive tackle\/end was a nightmare to game plan against for 11 years.\u00a0 Winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 1984, his character as a person showed on the field and off the field.\u00a0 He\u2019s also recognized for his philanthropy work through the Marty Lyons Foundation, which helps grant the wishes of terminally ill children.\u00a0 Lyons was also the Jets radio analyst from 2002-2023.<\/p>\n

After selecting Lyons, the Jets drafted another stud, defensive end Mark Gastineau, who was also part of the Sack exchange.\u00a0 Gastineau had a tremendous career in the NFL, making himself known as one of the best pass rushers to step on the field.\u00a0 He won Defensive Player of the Year in 1982 and became the first defensive player to lead the league in sacks in consecutive seasons.\u00a0 Before Michael Strahan, Gastineau owned the sack record with 22.0 in 1984.\u00a0 He finished his career as a five-time pro-bowler and a three-time all-pro.<\/p>\n

Johnny Lynn was a starting defensive back for the Jets for seven seasons.<\/p>\n

2000<\/h1>\n

Arguably the best draft class in Jets history, this class would propel the Jets into contention for the 2000s as they made the playoffs five times, when they only made it once in the seven seasons prior.\u00a0<\/span>After acquiring two first-round picks in a trade for Keyshawn Johnson to the Tampa Bay Bucs and a first-rounder from trading Belichick to the New England Patriots, the Jets were the first team and only team in NFL history to select four first-round draft picks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bill Parcells stepped down from coaching and was the GM for this draft, so having one of the best football minds drafting certainly helped the Jets.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first of the bunch was Shaun Ellis, selected 12th overall out of Tennessee.\u00a0 Ellis played for the Jets for 11 seasons and was a key defender for most of the 2000s.\u00a0 Two-time pro-bowler was a key contributor to their back-to-back AFC Championship run from 2009-2010.<\/span><\/p>\n

The very next pick was pass rusher John Abraham out of South Carolina.\u00a0 Abraham was a tremendous pass rusher for the Jets as he was a two-time all-pro and selected to the Pro Bowl three times in his Jets career.\u00a0 His best season was in 2001 when he led the league in forced fumbles with 6 while collecting 13.0 sacks, earning all-pro honors.\u00a0 When the Jets traded him to the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 for a first-rounder, his presence was sorely missed as the Jets struggled to find a pass-rusher for quite a while.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the 18th overall pick, the Jets selected QB Chad Pennington out of Marshall.\u00a0 Pennington sat for two years before taking over as the starting QB in 2002.\u00a0 Even though injuries derailed most of his career, people argue he\u2019s the best QB in Jets history besides Joe Namath.\u00a0 Leading the Jets to the playoffs three times, including winning the Jets’ last AFC East division title in 2002.\u00a0 Pennington won Comeback Player of the Year in 2006.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The last of the four first-round picks was Anthony Becht from West Virginia, who was a serviceable tight end for the Jets and played out his contract.\u00a0 He is now the Jets radio analyst, taking over for Marty Lyons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laveranues Coles, a wide receiver out of Florida State, was the steal of the draft as the Jets drafted him in the third round and played seven seasons for the Jets.\u00a0 Coles had 1,000 yards in two seasons with the Jets; his best season came in 2002 with a stat line of 89\/1,264\/5.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2006<\/strong><\/h1>\n

This would be Mike Tannenbaum\u2019s first draft as Jets GM and the first post-Herm Edwards era.\u00a0 To start Tannenbaum\u2019s tenure as Jets GM, it was a slam-dunk of a draft.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their first pick was Jets legend and Long Island product, left tackle D\u2019Brickashaw Ferguson.\u00a0 Selected fourth overall out of the University of Virginia, Ferguson became a staple of the Jets offensive line for ten years.\u00a0 The three-time pro-bowler is known for his durability, as he only missed one snap in his entire career.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After acquiring a first-rounder for John Abraham from the Atlanta Falcons, the Jets selected Nick Mangold out of Ohio State.\u00a0 Like Ferguson, Mangold became another staple of the Jets offensive line for the next decade and solidified himself as one of the best centers in the league throughout his career.\u00a0 Mangold finished his career as a seven-time pro-bowler and two-time all-pro.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tannenbaum hit on his late-round picks.\u00a0 Eric Smith was a serviceable safety throughout his Jets career.\u00a0 Brad Smith was a decent Swiss army knife as he was used at multiple positions on offense, while also contributing on special teams as a great kickoff returner.\u00a0 Leon Washington was a steal in the fourth round as he was great for the Jets as a backup running back, but he\u2019s mostly known for his work on special teams as he made the Pro Bowl and all-pro honors in 2008.\u00a0 Drew Coleman was a decent backup during his time with the Jets.<\/span><\/p>\n

2007<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Even though the Jets had four picks in this draft class, their impact on the Jets has to be mentioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

After trading up to the 14th pick with the Carolina Panthers, the Jets managed to snag Darrelle Revis out of the University of Pittsburgh, before the Pittsburgh Steelers could take him the very next pick.\u00a0 Revis would go on to have a Hall-of-Fame career with the Jets as he showed the definition of a lockdown cornerback.\u00a0 Nicknamed Revis Island, quarterbacks would never throw his way, leaving No.1 wide receivers stranded.\u00a0 His 2009 seasons prove that as he locked down star wide receivers like Steve Smith, Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, and Torry Holt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the second round, they selected David Harris out of Michigan.\u00a0 Harris would be a staple to the Jets’ defense during his Jets career and is top five in the franchise in tackles.\u00a0 His signature moment came in the 2010 Divisional round against the Patriots when his first-quarter interception helped kick-start the Jets’ momentum toward upsetting the Patriots.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2022<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Some might argue that this is the best draft class in team history.\u00a0 For now, the 2000 class still reigns at the top, but the 2022 class has the potential to dethrone the 2000 class.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this draft, the Jets managed to snag cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson with their two top-ten picks.\u00a0 It was the second straight year that they had two first-round picks after sending safety Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks, where the Seahawks surprisingly forked over two first-round picks in the 2021 and 2022 drafts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since joining the league, Sauce Gardner has made himself known as one of the league’s shutdown corners.\u00a0 His presence as a lockdown corner makes it hard for defensive coordinators to game plan around his physicality and dominance at the position.\u00a0 In his rookie season, he did not disappoint one bit as he led in pass deflections, earning all-pro honors, and winning Defensive Player of the Year.\u00a0 Sauce has shown leadership abilities in the locker room and off the field by maintaining positive vibes and great gratitude toward being a Jet.\u00a0 It\u2019s thrilling to see that Sauce has been very outspoken about being a part of the change in New York and ending the 14-year playoff drought.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like Sauce, it was no problem for Garrett Wilson to adjust to the league as he helped the Jets right away.\u00a0 The highlight of his rookie season was in week 2 where he caught 8 receptions for 102 yards, the second touchdown was the game-winner as the Jets shocked the Browns in a thrilling victory.\u00a0 Wilson also won Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he and Sauce became the first tandem to achieve that since the Saints did it in 2017 when Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore.\u00a0 Ever since then, Wilson has been the Jets WR1.\u00a0 Hitting 1,000 yards in all three seasons (despite who\u2019s been under center at QB) along with 279 career receptions.\u00a0 The scary thing is, that Garrett Wilson hasn\u2019t reached his full peak yet, <\/span>which annoys Jets fans along with NFL fans because they know what he can do with a competent QB.\u00a0 Hopefully, the addition of Justin Fields can help Garrett reach his full potential.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jermaine Johnson II was also the last first-rounder selected.\u00a0 Johnson II has developed into a premier pass rusher for the Jets as he was selected to the pro-bowl in 2023.\u00a0 A ruptured Achilles ended his season in week 2 of last year against the Titans.\u00a0 Johnson II will look to bounce back from a gruesome injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breece Hall has been their leading running back for the past three seasons.\u00a0 He looked poised to win rookie of the year over Garrett Wilson, but a torn ACL cut his season short.\u00a0 Since then, Hall has shown flashes are greatness with his explosiveness and speed.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be interesting to see how the new Jets regime will use him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Honorable Mention<\/strong><\/h1>\n