No, they shouldn’t reach in the draft, but yes they need to force the issue.
Robert Saleh was asked on Monday about the possibility of the Jets picking an edge-rusher in the draft.
“You guys know me, I’ve said it before, if we had the Fearsome Foursome, we’d still be wanting to add a pass rusher,” Saleh said. “It’s always going to help. If the opportunity presents itself, we’ll get it, but we’re not going to force the position either. John Franklin-Myers is in good shape, obviously with Carl, we added Jacob Martin, Bryce Huff is still in the fold, so we still feel good about our defensive line as it stands. Quinnen (Williams) is getting ready to have a really good year and Sheldon Rankins, so it’s still a really good group. It allows us the ability not to have to force the issue at any of our draft picks.”
Yes, they need to force the issue. That doesn’t mean recklessly reaching and drafting somebody too early. That almost never works. But let’s put it this way – if two grades are close on the board – the tie goes to the dynamic edge-rusher, high in the draft.
It’s okay to show loyalty and mention names of incumbents while addressing the press, and they do have some good players in the defensive line room, but they need a game-wrecking edge-rusher.
It’s not even a debatable issue.
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