Build the brand.
That was the mission of new Jets coach Aaron Glenn in his first NFL draft coaching the team. At the conclusion of Saturday’s Day 3, he said he felt like they accomplished it.
“I think the No. 1 thing is we really got guys that fit the brand of who we’re going to be,” Glenn said. “That was something we talked about even starting in free agency to the draft. We’re very intentional about guys we want to be a part of this organization. I would say the same thing when it comes to coaches also. Everyone fits. We want to continue that trend because once you do that the core of each person is the same. We might look different. We might act different. But the core of everyone here is the same.”
What is that brand?
“Tough, physical, violent, aggressive, a resilient attitude,” Glenn said. “If we continue to get guys like that, you’ll start to see the brand show up on the grass.”
Time will tell if the Jets landed players who can live up to Glenn’s hopes and turn the Jets from perennial losers to a playoff team.
The Jets landed seven players in this NFL draft, including four on Saturday.
On Day 3, they drafted Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith and Alabama safety Malachi Moore in the fourth round and then two players from Miami in the fifth round, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and edge rusher Tyler Baron.
Those four players joined the picks from the first two days: tackle Armand Membou, tight end Mason Taylor and cornerback Azareye’h Thomas.
The players taken on Saturday can provide some depth for the Jets. Glenn cited his experience as the Lions defensive coordinator last season when they had plenty of injuries as an example of needing guys who may be further down the depth chart.
“You need good, quality depth on your team,” Glenn said. “I went through the injury bug last year. If anything happens to any of our starters, these guys will be able to come in and play for us.”
The Jets went offense first on Saturday before then taking defense the rest of the day. Smith ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash and can take the top off of defenses. The main criticism of him is that he had 10 drops last year for the Bulldogs, but both Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey said the Jets feel like he is willing and able to improve in that area.
The Jets then made the first of two trades Saturday, sending a fifth-round pick (145) and a sixth-round pick (207) to the Eagles in exchange for a fourth-round pick (130), where they took Moore.
Moore was a four-year starter for Alabama, first in the “star” position where he was a nickel corner and then last year as a safety. He was a team captain for the Crimson Tide.
He said former Alabama coach Nick Saban advised him to switch positions last year to show his versatility to NFL teams.
“A fast, physical, relentless player who’s going to compete his tail off for as long as it takes every practice, every game,” Moore said describing himself. “Somebody who’s well prepared and is a fearless competitor.”
Glenn said he spoke to Lions safety Brian Branch, who played at Alabama with Moore, before the draft.
“The first thing that came out of his mouth was ‘dawg,’ ” Glenn said. “When you hear that, that gets you excited about the player. Then, getting the chance to watch him on tape and see exactly how he operates, he fits us to a ‘T.’ I’m excited to have that player. He has some versatility.”
The Jets then took Mauigoa in the fifth round, who can be an immediate contributor on special teams and can back up Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood. Mougey made another move in the fifth round, trading a sixth-round pick (186) and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Ravens in exchange for a fifth-round pick (176) and a 2026 sixth-round pick. They took Baron at 176. Baron began his career at Tennessee and transferred to Miami. The Jets feel like he can develop as a pass rusher under their coaching.