New York Jets brass downplays unfamiliar praise for NFL draft class

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets, who haven't done too many things right over the past decade, found themselves in an unusual position at the conclusion of the NFL draft on Saturday.

On the receiving end of universal praise.

Instead of taking a bow, coach Robert Saleh shrugged it off.

«I've also been in places where we were universally mocked,» said Saleh, recalling his time as a Seattle Seahawks assistant coach in 2012. «We took Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson in the first three rounds and we got a D grade, if I remember right.

»It doesn't matter. We've got to develop these young men. They have to come in and they have to perform. We'll know in about three years."

The Jets walked away with seven players, including four of the top 36 picks. They used their original first-round picks on Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad «Sauce» Gardner and Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and they traded into the bottom of the first round to select Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II. They traded up in the second round for Iowa State running back Breece Hall.

Gardner, Wilson and Hall were regarded by many draft analysts as the best players at their respective positions.

General manager Joe Douglas accumulated extra draft capital by trading safety Jamal Adams and quarterback Sam Darnold in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Going into the draft, he said the Jets had an opportunity to do «something special.»

Douglas didn't want to call it that when it was over, but he was clearly satisfied.

«A few things have bounced our way in terms of the draft, but we also made the most of our opportunities in adding qualities players,» said Douglas, who completed his third draft as the GM. «Ultimately, we'll see how it plays