Detailing the Derrick Rose trade

The New York Knicks finished 32-50 in the 2015-2016 season, which placed them in 13th place in the Eastern Conference. However, with the emergence of 2015 1st rounder Kristaps Porzingis, the Knick fan-base began see some life in a team that has not made the playoffs since the 2012-2013 season. Although Porzingis had captured the city with his above-average play, many questioned if his performance was enough to attract top-notch free agents such as DeMar DeRozan, Mike Conley, etc. 

Last week, the Knicks acquired their point guard of the immediate future; former MVP, Derrick Rose. 

Here is how the trade went down between New York and the Chicago Bulls: 

Rose will look to recapture the glory days next season

New York acquires:

PG Derrick Rose

SG Justin Holiday 

2017 2nd Round Pick

Chicago acquires:

C Robin Lopez

PG Jose Calderon 

PG Jerian Grant

Starting off with Holiday, the Knicks are getting themselves a player that has seen time with Philadelphia, Golden State, Atlanta, and Chicago in his four seasons in the NBA. The older brother of Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, Justin had played 27 games with Chicago in the 2015-2016 season, averaging 6.5 PPG while shooting 43% from the three point line. In a short sample size, he showed signs of life for a Bulls team that was ravaged with injuries. 

Rose, a Chicago native, has quite a reputation in the league. After being selected 1st Overall by the Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft, he was immediately named the starting point guard for a Chicago team that was coming off a 33-49 season with a total of three head coaches. In his first year, Rose averaged 16.8 PPG and 6.3 AST, but shot just 22% from the 3 point line. 

As said earlier, Rose is a former MVP of the league, and that stellar season came in 2010-2011 after putting up 25.0 PPG, 7.7 AST, and shooting at a much-improved 33% three point percentage. Following that year, he signed a five-year extension to stay in Chicago at a rate of $94.8 million. What followed that extension, however, were a few rough years clouded by major knee injuries. 

He tore his ACL in a playoff game in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers (2011-2012 season), and ended up sitting out during the entire 2012-2013 season with setbacks and other unrelated health issues. Between his return (October 2014) and this current point in time, Rose has tore his meniscus on two occasions, and was most recently hit with an orbital bone fracture. 

Although he has shown signs of being he is old self, many have come to terms that he is not the player he once was. The Knicks have clearly reviewed all of his medical history and are willing to take the chance on a player with such an extensive health risk. In 2015-2016, Rose averaged 16.4 PPG and 4.7 AST for a Bulls team that saw themselves just outside the playoffs after finishing 9th in the Eastern Conference. 

The Knicks will be on the hook for the remainder of Rose's contract, which is slightly above $21 million for the 2016-2017 season. Although that seems like a huge commitment, even if for one year, New York is actually saving a sizable portion of money in the short term future. Lopez is owed $13.5 million next year, Calderon will receive $7.7 million, and Grant will get $1.6 million as he is still on his rookie contract. So, the Bulls will be responsible for paying about $22.8 million for these three players alone. Trading Lopez, Calderon, and Grant saved the Knicks about $13 million in guaranteed money for next off-season. 

Some were upset with what the Knicks gave up, particularly Robin Lopez, as he was coming off a very solid season. The 28 year old had signed a four year contract with New York last off-season, and put up 10.3 PPG and 7.3 REB along with 1.6 BLK per game. He started every single game for the Knicks last year, proving his durability, and seemed to mesh well with Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony. At a first glance, it would make sense for a team to acquire someone like him, but he is owed $42 million over the next three seasons. It seemed strange that the Bulls, a possible rebuilding team, would be willing to take on a contract of that magnitude. 

Calderon (left) and Lopez (right) were owed a combined $21.2 million in 2016-2017

As for Jose Calderon, Knicks fans are likely very content that he is no longer on the team. Originally acquired in the Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton deal of 2014, In two seasons with the Knicks, Calderon averaged 8.1 PPG and 4.4 AST, and shot over 40% from the three point line. The issue was his contract, and now the Knicks are out-under the $7.7 million that he was owed next year. 

Lastly, Jerian Grant is the sole player that I believe makes sense for the Bulls. As someone who pushed for him to receive more playing time last year, I can see why Chicago wanted him. The 2015 1st Rounder, acquired from Washington for Tim Hardaway Jr., averaged 5.6 PPG and 2.3 AST as a 23 year old rookie out of Notre Dame. He played in 76 games, starting only 6, and shot an abysmal 22% from the three point line. He had shown flashes to be a legitimate guard in the league, but a change of scenery may do him some good. 

In my eyes, the Knicks made a fantastic, no-lose move in acquiring Derrick Rose. It is a simple one year commitment, and it is expected that he will give it his all in a contract year. The trade expedites the Knicks rebuilding process by a wide margin, but still leaves several questions for GM Phil Jackson and his staff. 

1) How will the Knicks replace Robin Lopez? Will they take a look at Joakim Noah because of the Derrick Rose connection?

2) Will Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony mesh well?

3) Does this move entice any big-time free agents to come to New York? 

We'll know in due time. 

How should the Mets shake up the team?

The Mets are coming off a tough weekend where they lost three consecutive games to the last place Atlanta Braves, who came into the series with a 20-46 record. New York now sits at 36-32, which is good for third place in the National League East. Fans are beginning to panic as the Washington Nationals have begun to run away with the division, but the Mets are determined to stay in the hunt. After Sunday's loss, manager Terry Collins claimed that we may see some major shake ups with the current roster. In this article, I will break down what I believe the Mets should do, placing each potential transaction in order of likelihood. 

The Obvious

Activate C Travis d'Arnaud from the DL. Demote C Kevin Plawecki to Triple-A Las Vegas.

This move will probably be announced today or before Tuesday's game against Kansas City, as it is expected that d'Arnaud will take over the starting catching gig to help boost the lineup. Before going on the disabled list in April, d'Arnaud was hitting a measly .196/.288/.261, so his addition is far from a guarantee to improve the lineup. However, Plawecki was simply not getting the job done on both sides of the field. At the plate, he hit .194/.301/.258 in 41 games, and had a 24% caught stealing percentage from behind the dish.

Personally, I was not impressed at all from Plawecki, so I wouldn't mind if he spends a sizable portion of this season down in Triple-A to correct his swing and defensive struggles. As a former 1st round pick, the potential is still there for him to be a quality player in the league, so it would be ideal for the organization to ship him off to Las Vegas where he will receive consistent at-bats. 

Possible Moves

DFA OF Alejandro de Aza. Promote OF Roger Bernandina from Triple-A Las Vegas. 

Many questioned why the Mets brought in de Aza this past winter for the steep price of $5.75 million when they really didn't have a strong need for him. They could have brought back OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis for a fraction of the cost, and likely had gotten the same results, but Sandy Alderson elected to go with the seasoned veteran. 

In 47 games for the Mets, de Aza has hit .169/.229/.247, and will likely be on the chopping block very soon. To give perspective, there are 9 pitchers in the league right now who have hit for a higher batting average, thus making de Aza a strong under performer.  

Now, the obvious choice to replace him would be top prospect OF Brandon Nimmo, but I chose to ignore him in this scenario. I have high hopes for the 23 year old, but I want him to start everyday if he were to be called up, as it wouldn't do his development any good if he sat on the bench for 3/4 of the team's games. 

I picked Roger Bernadina for a few reasons. First off, he has experience just like de Aza, tallying almost 1,500 plate appearances in 7 career seasons. Most importantly, he has hit .288/.378/.441 in Triple-A this year. While I realize that Las Vegas is heavily hitter-friendly, the addition of Bernadina may provide some kind of a spark to a Mets bench that has been struggling as of late. 

Demote OF Michael Conforto to Triple-A Las Vegas. Promote OF Brandon Nimmo from Triple-A Las Vegas. 

I am going to make this clear, I do not want this to happen, but it certainly sounds like the team is leaning toward sending their young outfielder to the minor leagues. Conforto has had an interesting season, hitting .365/.442/.676 with 4 HR and 18 RBI in the first 21 games. Since that point, he has hit .157/.212/.321 with 6 HR and 12 RBI in 40 games. New York had high hopes for the 23 year old, as he was named the team's starting left fielder a few months ago after only playing just above 50 games at the MLB level in 2015.  

If the team were to consider sending him down to Triple-A, I wouldn't be totally against it granted they finally promote fellow former 1st round pick Brandon Nimmo to the major leagues. Nimmo has had a phenomenal season for the 51's, hitting .325/.404/.513 with 5 HR and 33 RBI in 58 games. As I said earlier, the only scenario I would like to see Nimmo is if he is put into a starting role, so this would be the ideal move to make in Conforto's absence.  

Very Unlikely/Out of the Box Move

Promote 2B Dilson Herrera from Triple-A Las Vegas. Demote INF Ty Kelly OR INF Matt Reynolds to Triple-A Las Vegas. Move 2B Neil Walker to 3B.

The Mets have a huge hole at third base now that David Wright is out for the majority of the year, and with an entire month between now and the trading deadline, the team has to find a solution. In the short term, they have given INF Wilmer Flores a chance at the starting job, and he has actually done fairly well. In the month of June, he has hit .333/.400/.521 in 17 games, but has been up and down in the field. As a 24 year old, many still hope that he will eventually become the long-term successor at third base. 

As you can see, I labeled this move as very unlikely, and I would be very surprised to see it happen at this point in time. 2B Dilson Herrera has been raking it up in Triple-A for a few years now, and as a 22 year old, many see him as the future second baseman of this team. Right now, he is hitting .288/.338/.492 with 10 HR and 38 RBI in the minor leagues, so he has proven to be major league ready. The problem is the Mets currently have veteran 2B Neil Walker manning the position, and he has actually had a solid year himself. 

Coming into today, Walker is hitting .266/.335/.477 with 14 HR and 28 RBI in 63 games. The only issue with moving him to third base is he has tallied a grand total of 15 games at the position. Additionally, the last time he even played the position was in 2010, so there may be a defensive liability. 

Personally, I would keep him at 2B as he and SS Asdrubal Cabrera have formed a solid middle infield combination. I want the team to continue to ride the Wilmer Flores experiment for as long as they can, and in July, acquire a proven third baseman that could provide an instant boost to a depleted lineup. 

If you would like to check out direct quotes from the Mets players and coaches, take a look at this article by ESPN's Adam Rubin. 

Bringing back Kelly Johnson was a good idea

Johnson has been dealt from ATL to NYM again

Two days ago, the Mets re-acquired utility player Kelly Johnson after they let him sign with the Atlanta Braves in free agency. New York sent minor league pitcher Akeel Morris to the Braves for Johnson and cash considerations. Specfically, Atlanta sent over roughly $450,000 in the deal, which leaves the Mets with about an $800,000 commitment. 

Johnson knows a thing or two about New York, as he played for the Yankees in 2014 and the Mets in the second half of 2015. In 11 career seasons, he has put up a combined .250/.330/.420 slash line, with 146 home runs. The 34 year old was once thought of as a cornerstone piece for the Braves way back in 2007, where he hit .276/.375/.457 with 16 HR in 147 games. However, he inked a deal with the Diamondbacks in 2009 to become their everyday second baseman. Since that point, he has seen playing time with the Blue Jays, Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, and Braves on two stints. 

At first glance, many think that the addition of a left handed batter would help the Mets' everyday lineup against tough right handers, but Johnson actually has reverse splits in his career. What I mean by that is that he is actually more of a balanced hitter against left handed pitching. In over 3,600 plate appearances, he has hit .243/.329/.417 with 113 HR against right handers, whereas he has hit .271/.332/.429 with 33 HR in 1,247 plate appearances against southpaws. 

Aside from his experience, he provides a strong veteran presence in a clubhouse that is familiar with his surroundings. Last year, he played 49 games for the Mets, hitting .250/.304/.414, and making the World Series roster. 

As stated in the introduction, Johnson, at this point in his career, is classified as a utility player. He predominantly has experience at second base, totaling 868 games, but has also seen time at left field, third base, and first base. He could even patrol right field or shortstop in an emergency situation, so this will give Terry Collins yet another versatile option to help fill out his bench. 

The main reason why I like this move was that it presents the team with a nice stopgap option for the month of June until the trading deadline next month. At that point, the Mets will likely be in the market for a top-notch third baseman to fill out their playoff-bound team. 

To back up the points made in this article, I would like to pull a quote by Assistant GM John Ricco. 

Morris will likely report to Double-A Mississippi for Atlanta

"We have aspirations of winning the whole thing this year, so we're not going to sit around and wait," Ricco said after the trade. "We know what this team is. We know what it can be, and we're going to give it every chance to get there."

As for what the Mets gave up, some are upset that the Mets gave up ANYTHING when they could of had Johnson in the off-season for nothing more than a minor league contract. Akeel Morris, 23, ranked 13th on the Mets prospect list coming into LAST year, and even saw a brief, albeit rough, MLB debut last year against the Blue Jays. 

Morris has a 4.62 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Double-A Binghamton this year. He broke on to the scene in 2014 when he posted an outstanding 0.63 ERA in 41 appearances for the Savannah Sand Gnats of Single-A. Historically, he has had trouble locating his pitches, leading to a 5.0 BB/9 ratio. For more on Akeel Morris, check out this article from Adam Rubin of ESPN.com. 

What should the Knicks look at this off-season?

The Knicks are coming off a season where they went 32-50, taking a small step forward from the previous year. Although they are trending upward, some wonder what GM Phil Jackson's off-season direction will be. The hardest decision of them all will be the handling of star player Carmelo Anthony, who has insisted that he would like to stay in NY. The question is, does it make sense for the Knicks to finally part ways with the 31 year old small forward?

Before we dive into potential targets for the team, let's take a quick glance at notable transactions by Phil Jackson ever since he took over the reigns in 2014. 

Notable Transactions/Roster Moves under Phil Jackson

June 25, 2014: Acquired PG Jose Calderon, PG Shane Larkin, SG Wayne Ellington, C Samuel Dalembert, and two second round draft picks (Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo) from Dallas in exchange for C Tyson Chandler and PG Raymond Felton. 

July 13, 2014: Agreed to terms with SF Carmelo Anthony on a five year deal. 

January 5, 2015: Acquired SF/PF Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City, C Lou Amundson, C Alex Kirk, 2019 2nd round pick from Cleveland, in exchange for SG Iman Shumpert and SF J.R. Smith.  

January 7, 2015: Signed PG/SG Langston Galloway to 10-day contract. 

February 16, 2015: Waived  PF/C Amar'e Stoudemire.

February 19, 2015: Acquired SG Alexey Shved and 2nd round picks in 2017 and 2019 in exchange for PG Pablo Prigioni. 

July 9, 2015: Signed C Robin Lopez to four year contract, SG Arron Afflalo and SF Derrick Williams to two year contracts. Acquired PF/C Kyle O'Quinn from Orlando in exchange for the right to exchange 2019 2nd round picks and cash considerations. 

July 11, 2015: Re-signed SF/PF Lance Thomas. 

July 31, 2015: Signed 1st round picks Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant. 

February 6, 2016: Fired coach Derek Fisher. 

March 16, 2016: Signed PG Tony Wroten to three year deal. 

A trend that I have noticed is that Phil has not been afraid to sell off mid-lower tiered assets for 2nd round picks, as he has begun to stock up on those. Unfortunately, the team does not have many trading chips at this moment in time, as the only one I can think of that would fit the bill would be Kyle O'Quinn. The Knicks could likely get a 2nd rounder for O'Quinn, who averaged 4.8 PPG and 3.8 REB off the bench this past season.

Now let's take a look at the current financial details for the Knicks this summer.

Guaranteed Contracts: Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, Robin Lopez, Kyle O'Quinn, Tony Wroten, Kristaps Porzingis. 

Potential Free Agents: Arron Afflalo (Player Option), Lou Amundson (Unrestricted), Cleanthony Early (Restricted), Langston Galloway (Restricted), Kevin Seraphin (Unrestricted), Lance Thomas (Unrestricted), Sasha Vujacic (Unrestricted), Derrick Williams (Player Option). 

1st Round Draft Picks: None

Max. Cap Space: Approximately $30 million.

Min. Cap Space: Approximately $28 million. 

Team Needs

Point Guard

The Knicks do not have an experienced playmaker on their roster, and seem unwilling to give former 1st rounder Jerian Grant the starting gig, so they will likely be in the market for someone who can properly control the offense. 

Options: Mike Conley, Rajon Rondo (Unlikely), Brandon Jennings, Norris Cole. 

Shooting Guard

With Arron Afflalo likely leaving in free agency, the Knicks will look to upgrade a position that has been filled by several in the past couple seasons. This area will probably be where the Knicks splurge their money, as there are a decent amount of available players. 

Options: Courtney Lee, Kent Bazemore, Evan Fournier, Gerald Green, Jamal Crawford, Allen Crabbe. 

It is expected that we will see several low-risk signings by Jackson and Co. this off-season in hopes that someone sticks. The Knicks do have the assets to bring in a mid-tiered free agent or two, but they first must decide on the direction of the franchise. That all lies on whether or not Carmelo Anthony will return, and because of his no-trade clause, it seems likely that we see him in New York again next season. 

I think Knicks fans are realistic with this team moving forward. They seem to understand that it is a process, but what Jackson needs to do is come right out and give fans a definitive answer on the Anthony debacle. Once he does that, he can divert his attention to either buying into the draft next month, or scouting potentially available players in this year's off-season. 

Islanders eliminated by Lightning in 5 games, face tough off-season decisions

The Islanders magical season ended abruptly with a 4-0 loss against TB 

The Islanders' season was cut short on Sunday after losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 4-0. The series came a conclusion with Tampa Bay winning 4 games to 1. New York finishes a season where it made an awkward, yet successful, move to Brooklyn, and winning their first playoff series since 1993. 

There is no shame to losing to last year's Stanley Cup finalist, so the team should hang their heads high after all they have done this season. However, they know that changes are due in order to make that extra push forward to become a top seeded team. Here is how the entire series played out: 

Game 1: Islanders W vs. Lightning 5-3

Game 2: Islanders L vs. Lightning 1-4

Game 3: Islanders L vs. Lightning 5-4

Game 4: Islanders L vs. Lightning 2-1

Game 5: Islanders L vs. Lightning 4-0

As for the foreseeable future, the organization will be changing it's ownership. The group led by Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin will take full control of operations in July, leaving former owner Charles Wang in a minority status. The team is in an awkward relationship right now with GM Garth Snow, whose contract is set to expire in the summer, but it is expected that he will oversee the upcoming draft. In addition to that, he will handle defenseman Travis Hamonic, who had requested to be traded to a team that is closer to his home in Western Canada. 

Okposo has been with NY since 2006, but may find a new home next year

Snow will also address three key upcoming free agents, with the first being Kyle Okposo. The 28 year old has been a constant on the Islanders first line and productive along the way. However, he did not provide much during the playoffs, scoring just two goals in 11 games. This may make it difficult for Okposo to get his asking price, which is reportedly $6 million per season, more than double of his recent $2.8 million salary. 

The next is Frans Nielsen, who has been regarded as one of the top defensive forwards in the league. Although he is now 32 years old, there is still some value here. In fact, many expect him to receive a salary increase next year. Nielsen had been with the Islanders since 2002, notching 119 goals in 606 games during the process. 

The final key free agent is Matt Martin, who led the league in hits for the fifth consecutive season, and has been an important part of what many consider the best fourth line in the league. The consensus on Martin is that it would be foolish to overspend for him, however, so perhaps Snow lets him walk to a team that is willing to negotiate his terms.  

New York is expected to re-sign forwards Casey Cizikas, Shane Prince, Ryan Strome, and Alan Quine, along with goalie J-F Berube and defenseman Scott Mayfield. 

With Hamonic, who was mentioned earlier, he requested a trade earlier in the season, but coach Jack Capuano said that there is a possibility that he returns to the Islanders next year. Snow has held a firm asking price for the 25 year old defenseman, but it is possible the team eventually settles on a forward that can complement Tavares. 

As for the lower levels, there is some youth that is on the way. Unfortunately, Ryan Strome had an inconsistent year, but showed glimpses of talent. Some say that his ceiling is a top six forward in the league, but he may be at least a few more years away from fulfilling that potential. Former first rounders Matthew Barzal, Anthony Beauviller, and Michael Dal Colle had productive junior seasons and will ideally battle for roster spots next year. 

The roster and organization remain a work in progress, but this past season was a huge step in the right direction. Garth Snow now has many difficult decisions to make, as he will likely have to part ways with a few fan favorites in order to ensure the team's long-term success. 

Grading the Giants draft picks, Rounds 2-7

The Giants walked out of the draft with mixed results, as reports indicated that they initially looked at OT Jack Conklin out of Michigan State, but he was snagged by the Titans right before the Giants had a chance to select him. The team took CB Eli Apple with the 10th overall pick, as stated in a previous article. Here we will look at the other players that New York selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

New York Giants

Round 2: Pick No. 40: Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma, Highlights

Shepard had a total of 137 catches for 2,258 yards and 16 touchdowns over the final two seasons of his collegiate career. Giants scouting director Marc Ross said that he was a guy who made an impression on him for years. Although he is listed at 5'10" 194 pounds, an undersized height and weight for the position, many believe that this will not hold Shepard back in his NFL career. 

Shepard will likely make an immediate impact for the Giants as they are looking for a wide receiver to complement star Odell Beckham Jr., and fill the void that was left by oft-injured player Victor Cruz. In fact, fans may stack up Shepard against Cruz's former self, hoping that he gives Eli Manning yet another weapon to work with. GM Jerry Reese described Shepard as a slot receiver, but coach Ben McAdoo said he could move around to different positions. 

He is one to keep an eye on next season. 

Round 3: Pick No. 71: Darius Thompson, S, Boise State, Highlights

Last season, Steve Spagnuolo's defense lacked a true free safety and someone who was capable of making play calls in the back end of the defense. Many expect Thompson to step in right away and fill this void. Recently, Thompson broke Eric Weddle's Mountain West Conference record for career interceptions with 19. 

"I have a knack for finding the football," he said. "I feel like an interception is just as good as a touchdown, so that's what I'm going after."

Coach McAdoo said that Thompson's "instincts and twitch" are the qualities that allow him to locate the ball so effectively.

Round 4: Pick No. 109: B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson, Highlights

The Giants always pay close attention to the NFL Scouting Combine, and this year, Goodson lead all linebackers with 30 bench press reps. Before the draft, they had him in for a visit, and liked the fact that he was a middle linebacker and the team captain that made it to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Some say that he is, at best, a two-down linebacker at the NFL level that can help right away on special teams. Last year, the Giants ranked 24th against the run, so the Goodson pick will definitely look to right that number. Last year, he had 108 tackles for Clemson, along with 5.5 sacks, 2 INTs, and 14 tackles for loss. 

Round 5: Pick No. 149: Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA, Highlights

The Giants now have six running backs on their roster, but Perkins is believed to be a nice pickup because he offers above-average quickness and has the ability to break defenders' ankles, forcing missed tackles. Like any other late-round pick, he will have to force his way up the depth chart, but there is a legitimate chance that we see him before long.

His competition is Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, Bobby Rainey, and Orleans Darkwa, so its feasible that, with a strong preseason, we see him in some kind of a regular role next season. Below is a chart that highlights his statistics from UCLA. 

Paul Perkins	Rush	Yards	YPC	TD
2014	251	1575	6.3	9
2015	237	1343	5.7	14
TOTAL	488	2918	6.0	23

Round 6: Pick No. 184: Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina, Highlights

Like Goodson from before, Adams had a very impressive combine performance. He had a 4.64 time in the 40 yard dash, which ranked as the best among all tight tends for the upcoming draft class. He proved to be a reliable pass-catcher for South Carolina. The Giants view him as athletic player who can improve his game at the NFL level. 

GM Jerry Reese said that Adams is currently a better blocker than receiver. He will likely begin on special teams and slowly earn playing time, but the Giants did lack a solid blocking tight end last year (after the loss of Daniel Fells due to illness), so its reasonable for the organization to make room for Adams if he looks good.

In case you missed it, check out my article detailing the Jets draft picks in rounds 2-7. 

Grading the Jets draft picks: Rounds 2-7

In the previous article, we discussed both Darron Lee and Eli Apple, who were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Jets and Giants, respectively. Here, we will take a look at the remaining players that both organizations selected in the draft, and attempt to see where they will fit in with their team's next season. 

New York Jets

Round 2: Pick No. 51: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State, Highlights

With the Hackenberg pick, the Jets now have three quarterbacks on the roster but none of them are starter-worthy. Ryan Fitzpatrick is still in free agency, and playing hard to get, so the Jets felt it was necessary to grab a quarterback as insurance if he doesn't come back. The only issue here is: they may have taken the wrong one. 

The main issue with Hackenberg is the idea that the Jets used a 2nd round pick to take him. Typically you don't draft someone that high only to have them ride the bench the following year. Hackenberg, who was loved by GM Mike Maccagnan, looks like he could handle the hard-hitting NFL plays, as he currently sits at 6'4" 223 pounds. He was a mediocre quarterback in his last two seasons at Penn State. Some blame this on the new coaching system, and others on the supporting cast. As a freshman, he had 20 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions, and scouts projected him as a future top-10 pick. The Jets are hoping to get that version of Hackenberg, and not the one who was a mess at the scouting combine.

"There's a lot of upside and potential. We vetted him thoroughly "  said Maccagnan.

The Jets are placing a lot of faith in offensive quarterback Chan Gailey.

Round 3: Pick No. 83: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia, Highlights

Jenkins (and Darron Lee) gives head coach Todd Bowles two new weapons to play with on defense. The outside linebacker currently sits at 6'3" 259 pounds, but wasn't a standout pass rusher at Georgia. In four seasons, he had 19 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. He doesn't project to be an explosive player, rather one that can defend the run and handle the tight end at times. This has led to comparisons to Calvin Pace, which the Jets would gladly take. 

The Jets linebacking corps will look very different next season. Pace and Demario Davis are gone, David Harris will return to the middle, Erin Henderson will replace Davis, and Lorenzo Mauldin will become the starter on the outside. The speed will be improved with the addition of the younger players, but there will certainly be a learning curve. 

Round 4: Pick No. 118: Juston Burris, CB, North Carolina State, Highlights

Some expected the Jets to take a cornerback earlier in the draft, as they passed up on some good ones in the first few rounds. With Burris, New York is adding a young corner to their pipeline, which is something they greatly needed. Darrelle Revis is turning 31 soon, Antonio Cromartie is out of town, and former 1st round pick Dee Milliner will likely be a non-factor next year. 

Burris played a man-to-man scheme at North Carolina State, so some expect that he will have an easy transition to the Jets' man-heavy defense.

When speaking of Burris, Todd Bowles said "He's big. He's got long arms and he's very good at the line of scrimmage. He's got great eyes and ball skills."

Burris is listed at 6 foot, 212 pounds, which is an ideal size for the cornerback position. He only had three interceptions in the past three seasons, but was only targeted 44 times last year. His completion percentage was just 34 percent, which stands at an above average level. Bowles said that Burris has the ability to play the slot, but will likely start off on the outside. 

Round 5: Pick No. 158: Brandon Shell, OT, South Carolina, Highlights

The Jets traded up to acquire Shell, so they must have quite a bit of faith in his talents. In fact, they gave up more for Shell (4th round pick in 2017) than they did last year for Ryan Fitzpatrick, so this pick has a "reach" feel to it. 

The team did not want to come out of this draft without an offensive lineman, so they got Shell, who ranks third in South Carolina school history in career starts with 48. He moved to left tackle in his senior year, but recently said that he feels that he is more comfortable at right tackle. 

Round 7: Pick No. 235: Loc Edwards, P, Sam Houston State, Information/Scouting

The team needed a punter after Ryan Quigley left and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, so this move made sense. Edwards, who was born and raised in Australia, is the first punter that the Jets have selected in the draft since 1993, when they picked Craig Hentrich in the eighth round. 

In three collegiate seasons, Edwards averaged 42.8 yards on 185 punts. He is listed at 6'5", 205 pounds.

Round 7: Pick No. 241: Charone Peake, WR, Clemson, Highlights

Peake has been regarded as a potential steal for the Jets, as some projected that he would be taken in the third round. He slipped because of two major knee injuries, including an ACL tear in 2013. He was highly recruited out of high school, but fell under the radar after he was buried by DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins at Clemson. 

This past year, he finally got his first chance to become a full time player, and responded well. He had 50 catches, 716 yards, and five touchdowns. If he can stay on the field, the Jets may have yet another nice offensive weapon moving forward.

In case you missed it, check out my article detailing the Giants draft picks from rounds 2-7.