Thursday night was another Joe Douglas masterclass in drafting. The Jets added three new players to their roster last night, with more coming.

What started out as just the #4 and #10 pick quickly added the #26. With those, Gang Green added three players who, at some point, were all mocked for them to take with that fourth pick. They’re three top-15 players, all within the course of one day.

The Jamal Adams saga comes full circle.

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinatti

With pick number four, the Jets took Cincinatti’s Sauce Gardner. This sent some shock through Jets fans, as Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux was still on the board.

But it’s a very simple case for the Jets. They took the best available player on the board when their time came. Gardner has the size, measurables, and tape. He’s a better corner prospect than Stingley. When you’re in a position like Joe Douglas is, with a roster like the Jets, every position is worth an upgrade.

With the addition of former Seahawk DJ Reed in free agency, the Jets have added two Day 1 starters to the roster. What this means for Bryce Hall, Brandin Echols, and Michael Carter II….well: a little competition never hurt anyone, right? It’s good to have depth.

Jets get the best corner in the draft.

Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

The Jets tried to execute a trade for Deebo Samuel with the 10th pick. San Francisco turned them down, so the Jets grabbed the best wide receiver in the Draft.

Wilson has it all. He can play in or out, as a true wideout or in the slot. He runs the whole route tree, catches the ball well, and runs fast enough to be a problem. He compliments and fleshes out the wide receiver room very well. If Corey Davis can continue growing into his big-body role the Jets need him too, Wilson and Moore become a very interchangeable, lethal wide receiving group.

Jets get the best wide receiver in the draft.

Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State

This was the news Jets fans were waiting for. After passing on a much-needed EDGE defender at both 4 and 10, Joe Douglas still managed to land someone experts thought the team would have to take at fourth overall. Instead, he fell, and the Jets stole him.

Johnson II was likely the third ranked EDGE, behind Hutchinson and Thibodeaux. It took the Jets a second rounder, a fourth, and a swap.

Final Day 1 Thoughts

The Jets got three Top-15 players in Day 1, with plenty of draft capital remaining. These are all Day-1 starters come September. An absolute masterclass of a Draft for Joe Douglas.

Ask any analyst: they won the first round.