While fans of the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams anxiously await the two teams meeting to be crowned kings of the NFL world, fan bases for the other 30 clubs have turned the attention to the NFL draft. Or more specifically, to Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’s Senior Bowl where Robert Saleh and his staff will be coaching the National Team.
With plenty of needs as the offseason approaches, we’ll be taking a look at several prospects whom the Jets could be targeting come draft day. We kick things off today with Penn State edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie.
A transfer from Temple to PSU, Ebiketie saw his production explode in his final collegiate season when he picked up 9.5 sacks to go along with 18 tackles for loss.
Checking in at 6′ 2” 250 lbs, Ebiketie has the size and quickness to be a force off the edge and plays the run well enough to become an every down player. At Penn State we saw Ebiketie often lined up in a wider position than he would likely be asked to with the Jets, but this doesn’t mean he can’t still be an impact player early on.
Having been without a pass rusher since the days of John Abraham, the Jets will once again be in the market for a difference maker on defense along the defensive line. While a strong showing in Mobile could propel Ebiketie in to round 1, he’s currently projected as a round 2 selection. Should the top two pass rushers (Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson) come off the board before the Jets pick at four, Ebiketie should be an option early on day two.