2015 DBN Mock Draft: New York Jets Select OLB Dante Fowler Jr. at No. 6

With the sixth pick in the DBN 2015 NFL Mock Draft, the New York Jets select...

Dante Fowler Jr, OLB, Florida

The selection and write-up were made by aszabo1:

The Jets have prioritized defense so far this offseason.  The greatest impact on that side of the ball figures to come from new Head Coach Todd Bowles.  Bowles has had nearly as much success coordinating an NFL defense lately as anyone and was a very deserving hire.  He inherits an incredibly talented D-line led by budding stars Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Damon Harrison.  The Jets picked up veterans Kevin Vickerson and Stephen Bowen to back up that group.

Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine, and Marcus Gilchrest were added in free agency to shore up the secondary, and the Jets should also be set at inside linebacker with cagey vet David Harris, who recently signed a contract to get a guaranteed fifteen million over the next three years, and the solid Demario Davis, who played on over ninety-nine percent of the defensive snaps last season.  Where they could use some competition though is outside linebacker.  They have three pretty good ones, but they don't really have a bookend.

Overall though, the talent on defense is fairly strong.  On offense it's a bit closer to average.  The Jets, like so many teams, need a quarterback.  It's basically Ryan Fitzpatrick's job to lose as he comes over from Houston to further the team makeover.  Brandon Marshall,after putting up big numbers as a Bear, signs as the new wideout and Eric Decker, Jace Amaro, and Jeremy Kerley all return as quality pass catching options.  The offensive line and running back situation should be addressed very soon in the draft, but at pick number six, with the wealth of defensive talent available, the Jets can get a major upgrade at a position where one is greatly needed.

Currently, the OLB depth chart looks like this:  Coples, Pace, Babin.  Coples gets 1.5 million this year and then will most likely face free agency if he continues to play himself to the bench like he did at one point last season.  Pace has a relatively low base and heads into year thirteen after an off year.  Babin is a journeyman filling a situational role.  Fowler, Jr. has the talent to be a day one starter, or he could rotate with the vets as he better learns the position. He would be in great shape to succeed playing for a strong, defensive-minded coach and having solid vets around him.  The consensus to me on Fowler, Jr. is that he will only get better with experience, and a few of those seem to think he is the surest linebacker in the draft.  He helps to complete a defense that has gotten remarkably better with good player acquisitions over the past month.

The Jets might have lost Rex Ryan this offseason, but Todd Bowles will give them a more refreshed look on defense. The completely revamped secondary will be a sight to see, and complimenting that with a promising outside linebacker strengthens the defense for long-term sustainability.

The Chicago Bears are up next, led by Barnestorm.

2015 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)