<
>

New York Jets pass on quarterback, but that doesn't mean they're content

Christian Hackenberg will compete with Josh McCown and Bryce Petty for the starting QB job. AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Biggest post-draft questions still to be answered by the New York Jets:

Is there a quarterback in the house? The streak is over. After picking a quarterback in four straight drafts, the Jets decided to stand pat -- a wise move, considering the mediocrity of this year's class. General manager Mike Maccagnan is riding with Christian Hackenberg, last year's polarizing second-round pick. It's a gamble because Hackenberg, who will compete with Josh McCown and Bryce Petty for the starting job, remains a major project. If he flops, they'll be chasing the big-name quarterbacks in the 2018 draft.

Do they have enough at cornerback to execute a Todd Bowles defense? No, they shouldn't have waited until the sixth round before addressing it. This was one of the deepest cornerback drafts in history, but they came away with only a couple of developmental players, Jeremy Clark (coming off ACL surgery) and Derrick Jones (a converted wide receiver). Their top three corners are Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams and the injury-prone Morris Claiborne, who replaces Darrelle Revis. They're counting on big improvement from Juston Burris. Bowles needs effective press-man corners to play his scheme, and the current group doesn't look any better than last year.

Will Calvin Pryor make it to opening day? They sent a loud message by using their first two picks on safeties, Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. The Jets, who shopped Pryor during the draft, don't have to make a quick decision. The 2014 first-round pick counts only $2.7 million on the salary cap, so they can afford to carry him into training camp. That would be the smart play. They need veteran insurance in case one (or both) of the rookies struggle. If Pryor becomes expendable, they can dump him at the end of the preseason, a la Dee Milliner, 2016.

Are Sheldon Richardson's days numbered? Quite possibly, yes. The Jets appear desperate to trade the 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, whom they view as a locker-room distraction. They failed to trade him before the draft, but "there's a whole offseason ahead of us," Maccagnan said. "We'll see how it unfolds, going forward." No one wants to absorb his $8.1 million salary, which is guaranteed, but the team will continue its efforts to move him. This could turn ugly if Richardson makes a stink.

What will the offense look like under new coordinator John Morton? They drafted four skill-position players, all of whom have traits that fit a West Coast-style offense. Jordan Leggett is a pass-catching tight end, wide receivers ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen are known yards after catch and running back Elijah McGuire is a versatile player who can catch out of the backfield. This shows the scouting department is on the same page as the coaching staff.