2017 NFL mock draft: New York Jets ignore QB and take Jamal Adams

One of the gambles of the NFL draft is going for a sure thing or trying to strike it big by taking a risk. In the recent past, the New York Jets have taken a risk with high-round picks like Quinton Coples, Jace Amaro, Geno Smith that just haven’t paid off. They’ve scored on sure thing prospects like Leonard Williams and Sheldon Williams.

The Jets took a risk last year by taking quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the second round. The early consensus is that it was a risk poorly taken. But is it too soon to give up on the risk, or should the Jets make another one with a quarterback in the first round this year? Or should they go after a sure thing? David Wyatt of Gang Green Nation is here to answer those questions with the sixth pick in the SB Nation NFL writers mock draft.

Wyatt: This is a gift that I couldn’t possibly pass up. For me, Jamal Adams is one of the best players in this draft, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up being the best player to come out of this draft completely. He can do a little bit of everything, and his open-field tackling is outstanding.

His leadership is off the charts. He interviewed exceptionally well at the combine, and that’s the kind of player who the Jets don’t have. He’s the kind of player who will improve everyone else around him, too, and with the lack of talent on this team — that’s much needed.

I thought about taking a punt on Mitch Trubisky, but with Hackenberg only a year into his career and so little tape on Trubisky, it’s just not worth the risk. Adams has a high ceiling with a high floor, which makes him a safe pick, and we can’t afford to miss on another prospect. I’ll take Jamal Adams every single day of the week

Analysis: The analysis on Adams is spot on. Although picking him would signal the end of Calvin Pryor in New York, Adams should be a star in the NFL. While that means not getting a franchise quarterback in this year’s draft (most likely), it does give the Jets another player to build around.

Our three picks for the day are finished, but don’t worry. We’ll be back at 9 a.m. ET tomorrow. The Los Angeles Chargers are up first with Bolts From the Blue, and, boy, is it a doozy.