NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

May 2, 2015

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Jets head into draft's final day with 5 picks (Dennis Waszak) ................................................................................... 2

Jets take Devin Smith, Lorenzo Mauldin on draft's 2nd day (Dennis Waszak) .......................................................... 2

Jets' first-rounder Williams overcame plenty to get to NFL (Dennis Waszak) .......................................................... 4

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Louisville LB Lorenzo Mauldin can't hold back tears after he's picked by Jets (Kimberley Martin) .......................... 6

Leonard Williams eager to bring his challenging journey to NFL and Jets (Kimberley Martin) ................................. 7

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Jets draft Ohio St. receiver Devin Smith in second round (J.P. Pelzman) .................................................................. 8

Waiting finally pays off for Jets' top pick Leonard Williams (J.P. Pelzman) ............................................................... 9

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 10

New York Jets pass on QBs, try to build around Geno Smith (Rich Cimini) ............................................................. 10

Jets LB Lorenzo Mauldin overcome with emotion after incredible journey (Rich Cimini) ...................................... 11

Jets acquire WR DeVier Posey in trade with Texans (Rich Cimini) .......................................................................... 12

Joe Klecko likes Jets' selection of Leonard Williams and D-line potential (Rich Cimini).......................................... 12

Leonard Williams, wasting no time, says he can't wait to sack Tom Brady (Rich Cimini) ....................................... 14

Day 2 preview: Options for Jets in second, third rounds (Rich Cimini) ................................................................... 15

New York Jets' defensive line gets more crowded (Rich Cimini) ............................................................................. 16

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 17

Devin Smith: A scouting report on the Jets' second-round pick (Dom Cosentino) ................................................. 17

NFL Draft 2015: 5 things to know about Jets' second-round pick, Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith (Darryl Slater) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Lorenzo Mauldin: A scouting report on the Jets' third-round pick (Darryl Slater) .................................................. 19

Lorenzo Mauldin: 5 things to know about Jets' third-round draft pick (Dom Cosentino) ....................................... 21

After enduring rough childhood, Jets draft pick Lorenzo Mauldin tearfully vows to excel in NFL (Darryl Slater) .. 21

10 takeaways from Jets draft pick Leonard Williams' introductory press conference (Darryl Slater) .................... 22

How does Leonard Williams see himself fitting in on Jets' defensive line? (Dom Cosentino) ................................ 24

Jets draft pick Leonard Williams already calls out New England Patriots' Tom Brady (Dom Cosentino) ................ 25

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 25

Jets scoop up speed-demon WR from Ohio State (Brian Costello) ......................................................................... 25

Too huge for Pop Warner, dad in prison: Leonard Williams’ journey (Brian Costello) ........................................... 26

‘Phenomenal’ Jets top pick can devastate QBs, stop Gronkowski (Steve Serby) .................................................... 27

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Jets’ pick hailed as ‘best player in draft,’ with Hall of Fame comps (Zach Braziller) ............................................... 29

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 30

Jets select Ohio State WR Devin Smith in second round of NFL draft (Manish Mehta) ......................................... 30

Leonard Williams falls in Jets' lap at NFL draft, but Geno Smith is still their quarterback (Gary Myers) ................ 31

Leonard Williams will play ‘wherever’ for Jets, Gang Green draft pick draws comparison to Reggie White (Manish Mehta) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32

NEW YORK TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 33

A New Jet Once Wished He Were Smaller. Now Opponents Do. (Ben Shpigel) ..................................................... 33

Jets Fans at NFL Draft Find Less to Boo About in Chicago (Ben Strauss) ................................................................. 34

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 36

NFL Scout: Leonard Williams fell because of needs (Kristian Dyer) ........................................................................ 36

FRIDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 37

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets head into draft's final day with 5 picks (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press May 2, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-head-drafts-final-day-5-picks

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets head into the final day of the NFL draft with five picks and plenty of options.

They further strengthened their defensive line on Day 1 by taking Southern California's Leonard Williams sixth overall, and then added a speedy wide receiver — Ohio State's Devin Smith — and a pass rusher — Louisville's Lorenzo Mauldin — during the second and third rounds, respectively, Friday night.

Barring any deals, New York has the fifth pick of the fourth round, a fifth-rounder and three seventh-rounders Saturday.

The Jets could add one of the top remaining quarterbacks — UCLA's Brett Hundley or Baylor's Bryce Petty — to compete with Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick. New York could also look at depth on the offensive line and a pass-catching running back.

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Jets take Devin Smith, Lorenzo Mauldin on draft's 2nd day (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press May 2, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-take-devin-smith-lorenzo-mauldin-drafts-2nd-day

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets had the need for speed, and got their man in the second round of the NFL draft.

Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith was selected with the fifth pick Friday, and 37th overall, giving the Jets an explosive pass-catcher who can stretch the field and blow past defensive backs. He'll complement a receiving corps that includes Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley.

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"It's a team that I've watched over the years," Smith said during a conference call from Chicago, where he attended the draft. "I'm at a loss for words, really. My family was right here with me and for them to experience it with me, man, it was unbelievable."

The Jets, targeting a pass rusher, selected Louisville linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin in the third round with their pick, No. 82 overall, acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans.

The Jets sent the No. 70 overall pick to the Texans for wide receiver DeVier Posey and Houston's third-rounder, fifth (No. 152) and seventh (No. 229) on Friday night.

The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Mauldin, a hybrid linebacker-defensive end, had 20 1/2 sacks in three seasons with the Cardinals. He gives coach Todd Bowles an edge rusher — one of the team's projected needs heading into the draft.

"I'll do whatever I have to do to get to the quarterback," Mauldin said during a conference call.

Bowles expects that Mauldin will primarily play outside linebacker, but can play off the line of scrimmage, too.

"The tenacity this guy plays with, the toughness he brings," Bowles said, "he was perfect for us right at the time we picked him."

Mauldin, from Atlanta, lived in 16 foster homes growing up and broke down while talking about what the moment meant to him.

"I've been thinking about this ever since I was playing Pop Warner as a wide receiver," Mauldin said, his voice cracking. "I'm going to shut up all the critics. I'm going to shut up everybody that has ever doubted me. ... I'm going to work harder than hard."

Added Maccagnan: "He made a journey to get to where he is today, and overcame a lot of things that were in his way."

Despite trading for Marshall in March, and having two dependable receivers in Decker and Kerley, New York's offense lacked a potential gamebreaker. The 6-foot, 196-pound Smith gives the Jets exactly that. He had 33 catches for 931 yards and a Big Ten-best 12 touchdowns during his senior season with the Buckeyes, leading the country with a school-record 28.2 yards per reception.

"The production he had was quite impactful," general manager Mike Maccagnan said.

Smith made the highlight reels and became a Twitter sensation in 2012 when he made a spinning, one-handed grab — reminiscent of the Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. last season — for a touchdown against Miami of Ohio.

"I think (my speed) can really help a lot, stretching the field deep," Smith said. "I really think I can help this team in that area."

He caught four passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State's 59-0 victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. Smith had one catch for 45 yards while helping the Buckeyes win the national championship game against Marcus Mariota and Oregon.

Smith, from Massillon, Ohio, finished his college career with 121 receptions for 2,503 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also returned kickoffs and punts while with the Buckeyes, and served as a gunner.

"I'm versatile," Smith said. "You can move me inside, you can move me out. I'm also very good on special teams."

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He was also a star on Ohio State's track and field team, finishing in a tie for second place in the high jump at the Big Ten outdoor championships last year with a personal-best 7 1/4-foot leap that ranked him in the top five in school history and qualified him for the NCAA regionals.

The Jets, under then-general manager John Idzik, drafted three wide receivers last year, but none made any impact. Jalen Saunders, a fourth-rounder, was cut just a few weeks into the season. Shaq Evans, also selected in the fourth round, spent the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Sixth-rounder Quincy Enunwa was on the practice squad for all but the last game of the season.

Posey was a third-round pick of the Texans out of Ohio State in 2012, when Maccagnan worked in Houston's scouting department. Posey has 22 career catches for 272 yards and no TDs, but played in just one game last season.

The Jets have five picks Saturday on the draft's final day.

With the No. 6 overall selection Thursday night, New York drafted Southern California defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

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Jets take Louisville linebacker Mauldin with 82nd pick (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press May 1, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-take-louisville-linebacker-mauldin-82nd-pick

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets have drafted Louisville linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin in the third round with the No. 82 overall pick, acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans.

The Jets sent the 70th pick to the Texans for wide receiver DeVier Posey and Houston's third-rounder, fifth (No. 152) and seventh (No. 229) on Friday night.

Mauldin, a hybrid defensive end-linebacker, had 20 1/2 sacks in three seasons with the Cardinals. He gives coach Todd Bowles an edge rusher, one of their needs heading into the draft.

Posey was a third-round pick of the Texans out of Ohio State in 2012, when new Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan worked in Houston's scouting department. Posey has 22 catches for 272 yards and no TDs, but played in just one game last season.

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Jets' first-rounder Williams overcame plenty to get to NFL (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press May 1, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-first-rounder-williams-overcame-plenty-get-nfl

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Leonard Williams still speaks to his father on a regular basis, making frequent phone calls to him in prison.

He can't wait to talk to him all about the biggest moment of his life.

The New York Jets drafted the Southern California defensive lineman with the No. 6 overall pick Thursday night, a surprising turn of events since the team thought he'd be long gone when they went on the clock.

"It meant a lot to me and my family," Williams said Friday at the Jets' facility. "It was great to have them there. They've always been there to support me, no matter what."

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His father, Clenon, wasn't there in Chicago at the NFL draft site. The 47-year-old Williams is currently at Marion Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, serving time for various offenses, including robbery with a deadly weapon, according to Florida Department of Corrections records. He was sentenced in 2012, and his current release date is Nov. 1, 2019.

"Me and my dad still have a great relationship, even though he's incarcerated," the younger Williams said. "Actually, because of good behavior, they allowed him to have a cellphone or something like that and we're able to talk a lot."

Williams frequently sends his father pictures — him and his 2-year-old daughter Leana, likely among them — and keeps him posted on his achievements. Williams' mother Aviva Russek gave Clenon the good news late Thursday night that their son is now an NFL player.

"He's really excited for me," Williams said. "No matter where I went — he's a Dallas Cowboys fan — he's really proud of me."

And, for good reason. Williams, who turns 21 next month, was a force in three years in college. He had 218 career tackles in college in 35 starts, with 21 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Now, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Williams will team with fellow first-rounders Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson on coach Todd Bowles' formidable front line.

Not bad for a kid who wasn't able to play Pop Warner because he was too big: 200 pounds at 13, about 20 over the limit.

"I remember there was a really long line going up to the tent where you had to sign in," Williams recalled. "I was so excited and it was finally my time to sign in and they told me to weigh in. ... I was just really sad, man, because they sent me home and I couldn't play anymore."

Williams called that moment a "turning point," something that motivated him to be even better — once he was able to actually play again. He joked that people should start recruiting his younger brother Andrew, who might face a similar hurdle.

"He's only 9," Williams said, laughing. "He's already like 140 (pounds) and he's only 9, but he wants to play O-line. I don't know any kid at that age who wants to play offensive line."

Williams grew up modeling his game after DeMarcus Ware, who has had his share of sacks during an outstanding career. Among Williams' strengths are his power off the line and speed for a man his size.

Oh, and he's got quite a mane — which prompted friends and USC teammates to give him a nickname that's sure to stick in the NFL: Big Cat.

"A lot of people said I resemble a lion, or something like that," a smiling Williams said. "I guess also because I'm big, I don't know."

Williams' size was only one of the minor obstacles he has dealt with in his life. His family moved around while he was growing up, bouncing from California to Michigan to Arizona and now in Daytona Beach, Florida. There were a few nights spent in homeless shelters, too, just to get by.

Through it all, his passion for football helped him stay focused on the path that led him all the way to the NFL.

"It's almost unreal to finally be in this position," Williams said. "I feel like time has gone by so fast. I just remember my mom calling me the other day and said she rode by my high school. It felt like yesterday that I was playing high school football."

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He'll be playing with the pros next, and a potential career highlight is him getting his first NFL sack against a rival such as New England's Tom Brady. When a reporter pointed out that the Jets don't play the Patriots until Week 7, Williams grinned.

"Yeah," he said, "I definitely want a sack before then."

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NEWSDAY

Louisville LB Lorenzo Mauldin can't hold back tears after he's picked by Jets (Kimberley Martin) Newsday May 2, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/louisville-lb-lorenzo-mauldin-can-t-hold-back-tears-after-he-s-picked-by-jets-1.10365826

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The words just wouldn't come.

Lorenzo Mauldin fought back the emotion as best he could, but the moment was just too real, too raw and too overwhelming.

His long, difficult journey -- one that included so many doubters and 16 different foster homes -- had led him to this moment. And Friday night, his dream of reaching the NFL was finally realized.

With the 82nd overall pick, the Jets selected the Louisville outside linebacker/defensive end, who had 20.5 sacks in his career, including 6.5 last year. Though unknown to some, Mauldin (6-4, 259) posses prototypical size for a 3-4 outside linebacker and matches up well with tight ends.

"I'll do whatever I have to do to get to the quarterback," the 22-year-old said, choking up. "I'm going to show 'em what I got. I'm going to shut up all the critics, everyone who's ever doubted me . . . This is my chance to show everybody -- to show everybody what I can do."

Jets coach Todd Bowles said Mauldin is a hybrid linebacker who "was perfect for us" at No. 82. Bowles also noted that Mauldin's perseverance and determination are evident in his play.

The Jets originally had the sixth pick (No. 70 overall) in the third round, but traded it to the Texans to move down. In exchange, the Jets received Houston's third-round pick -- which they used to select Mauldin -- fifth-round pick (No. 152), their seventh-round pick (No. 229) plus receiver DeVier Posey.

The 6-1, 211-pound Posey has only 22 catches for 272 yards and no TDs in three seasons. He tore his Achilles in January 2013 during the Texans' loss to the Patriots in an AFC divisional-round game. New Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan was in Houston when Posey was drafted in 2012.

The Texans used the newly acquired pick to take Arizona State receiver Jaelen Strong.

Jets grab speedy Ohio State receiver

They selected Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith with the 37th overall pick. Not only did first-time general manager Mike Maccagnan find a complement for Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Kerley, but he also added big-play ability on offense and on special teams.

Smith, a 2014 All-Big Ten selection, led the Buckeyes with 931 receiving yards on just 33 receptions last year, and 12 of those catches went for touchdowns. A senior on the Buckeyes' national championship team, Smith averaged one TD every four receptions in his four-year career.

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He finished his college career with 121 catches for 2,503 yards and 30 TDs and he clocked a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine.

Smith said on a conference call Friday night that he was "lost for words" when the Jets selected him five spots into the second round. Perhaps that's because the front office kept their interest in him under wraps somewhat. Smith said he talked to the Jets at the Senior Bowl and "a little" at the combine, but he didn't take a predraft visit to the facility.

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Leonard Williams eager to bring his challenging journey to NFL and Jets (Kimberley Martin) Newsday May 2, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/leonard-williams-eager-to-bring-his-challenging-journey-to-nfl-and-jets-1.10365694

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The "Big Cat" is thrilled to be near the Big Apple.

Fresh off his first-round selection Thursday night in Chicago, USC defensive end Leonard Williams was in New Jersey on Friday afternoon holding up his new Jets jersey with "No. 1" and his last name stitched in gold on the back.

His hard work had culminated in one special moment for the 20-year-old, whose father, Clenon, is serving time in the Marion Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, for several offenses, including robbery with a deadly weapon.

"Me and my dad still have a great relationship even though he's incarcerated," Williams said of his father, who was sentenced in 2012 and is scheduled to be released Nov. 1, 2019. "Actually, because of good behavior, they allowed him to have a cellphone or something like that and we're able to talk a lot."

It's been a long journey for Williams, arguably the best player in this year's draft class, who fell to the Jets at No. 6. He's lived all over the country, from Bakersfield and Sacramento, California, to Michigan, Arizona and later Daytona Beach, Florida, where he attended Mainland High School. Some nights he even slept in homeless shelters.

He still remembers being a 13-year-old Pop Warner hopeful who was turned away at the sign-in table because he weighed 200 pounds -- 20 over the limit. The disappointment of that day still resonates, Williams said. But now he's on the cusp of a new beginning.

"It's almost unreal to finally be in this position," said Williams, who has a 2-year-old daughter. "I feel like time has gone by so fast . . . It felt like yesterday that I was playing high school football."

And now that he's in the NFL, he's anxious to wreak havoc on quarterbacks in Todd Bowles' defense. His preference is to remain a defensive end, but Williams insisted he's just happy to be a part of the Jets' vaunted defensive line.

Currently, that line is a crowded place with Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison. But even though they didn't need another defensive lineman, the Jets wanted Williams because of his athleticism, physicality and passion for the game.

The Jets traded their 70th pick to Houston and got back receiver DeVier Posey, plus the Texans' picks at No. 82, fifth round (152) and seventh round (229).

The Jets used the 82nd pick on Louisville outside linebacker-defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin, who fought back tears during his conference call. "I'll do whatever I have to do to get to the quarterback," the 22-

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year-old said, choking up. "I'm going to show 'em what I got." He referenced many doubters in his past, an upbringing that included 16 different foster homes.

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THE RECORD

Jets draft Ohio St. receiver Devin Smith in second round (J.P. Pelzman) The Record May 1, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/jets-draft-ohio-st-receiver-devin-smith-in-second-round-1.1323771

FLORHAM PARK – The Jets may have gotten the deep threat they have been searching for in recent years by selecting speedy Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith on Friday night in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Scouting report: Has an excellent motor. … Developed into top-notch edge pass-rusher with 16 sacks over the past two seasons. … Overcame extremely difficult childhood (16 foster homes) to become standout player and team leader. … Didn’t drop into coverage very often. … Athleticism has been questioned.

Smith, who was taken with the 37th overall pick, averaged 20.7 yards on 121 career receptions for the Buckeyes, and averaged an incredible 28.2 yards on 33 catches in 2014. He had 12 touchdown receptions last season, and 30 in his college career.

“I think I can really help this team in that area,” Smith said on a conference call when asked about his ability to get downfield.

“He has the physical skills to vertically stretch the field,” general manager Mike Maccagnan said of Smith. “We felt his hands were good. We thought he had all the skills athletically.”

The Jets added another former Ohio State wideout later in the evening, trading with Houston to acquire fourth-year pro DeVier Posey, who has 22 receptions for a 12.4-yard average in his NFL career. Posey, who played with Smith in 2011 when the latter was a freshman, tweeted

congratulations and praise for his former college teammate earlier in the night before the trade.

Maccagnan formerly was Houston’s director of college scouting, so he certainly is familiar with Posey.

The Jets traded their third-round pick, the 70th overall, to the Texans. In exchange, they also received picks in the third round (82nd overall), fifth (152) and seventh (229).

They used the 82nd pick to select Louisville outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, who had 20.5 sacks in his college career. Mauldin overcame a difficult childhood in which both of his parents were in and out of jail, forcing him and his three siblings to spend much of their time in foster homes. Mauldin was in 16 different foster homes.

He choked up on a conference call with reporters, saying, “I’ve been thinking about this [being drafted] since I played wide receiver in Pop Warner football. I’ve been working my butt off since I can remember. I’m going to shut up anybody that’s ever doubted me.”

“He brings toughness and depth,” coach Todd Bowles said of Mauldin. “[With] the tenacity this guy plays with and the toughness he brings, he was perfect for us right at the time we took him. I think he’s grown into a great young man.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Posey was a third-round selection of the Texans in 2012 but was active for only one game last season. He had a career-high 15 catches for 155 yards in 2013.

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Maccagnan said of Posey, “to me, [acquiring him] is a very low cost [with] a potentially good return.”

Posey suffered a torn Achilles’ in a playoff game in January 2013, but that injury isn’t a problem anymore, Maccagnan indicated.

The swift Smith, who said he once ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at Ohio State, also was used as a gunner on special teams in college.

“I’m versatile” as a receiver, he said. “You can move me inside. You can move me outside. I think I’m very effective on special teams.”

The Jets drafted Georgia Tech speedster Stephen Hill in the second round in 2012, but the wideout struggled while trying to adapt from a run-oriented college offense. He was waived after the 2014 preseason and currently is on Carolina’s roster.

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Waiting finally pays off for Jets' top pick Leonard Williams (J.P. Pelzman) The Record May 1, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/waiting-finally-pays-off-for-jets-top-pick-leonard-williams-1.1323738

FLORHAM PARK – At 13 years old, Leonard Williams was fully prepared to experience the first day of his organized football life.Jets' top draft pick Leonard Williams holding up a jersey as he is introduced to the media at the team facility Friday in Florham Park. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Instead, it turned into the worst day of his football life, when the already 200-pound Williams was denied the chance to play Pop Warner football because he was too big.

"I remember there was a really long line going up to the tent where you had to sign in," Williams said Friday at the Jets’ facility, one day after being selected by the team with the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft.

"I was so excited and it was finally my time to sign in, and they told me to weigh in,” he recalled, adding he was told that he was 20 pounds over the weight limit

“I was just really sad, man, because they sent me home and I couldn't play anymore."

But Williams, a star defensive end at USC who was considered the top prospect in the draft by many experts, even better than Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, used the incident as motivation.

“I guess it was kind of a blessing in disguise,” Williams said, noting that some USC teammates told him, “They start to lose their love for the game after awhile because they’ve been playing for so long. … I feel that’s a big reason why I have so much love and passion for the game because I couldn’t start until a late age.”

Williams, who had 21 sacks in three seasons at USC, couldn’t play until he was a high school freshman. But he quickly made up for lost time, becoming a star at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fla., and a sought-after prospect before choosing USC.

Besides, his wait to play the sport he loves wasn’t so bad, considering some of the other things he and his family have endured. His family moved around from California to Michigan to Arizona before settling in Daytona Beach, and there even was a brief stay in a homeless shelter. Worse yet, his father, Clenon Williams, is serving time in a Florida prison for several offenses, including robbery with a deadly weapon. He isn’t scheduled to be released until 2019.

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However, Clenon and Leonard still have a good relationship and talk often. They haven’t spoken since Leonard was drafted, but Clenon found out from Williams’ mother, Aviva Russek, that he was selected by the Jets.

"It's almost unreal to finally be in this position," said Williams, who will turn 21 next month. "I feel like time has gone by so fast. I just remember my mom calling me the other day and said she rode by my high school. It felt like yesterday that I was playing high school football."

Williams’ younger brother, Andrew, may face one of the same hurdles as Leonard. He’s so big that he, too, might be denied the chance to play youth football.

"He's only 9," Williams said, laughing. "He's already like 140 [pounds] and he's only 9, but he wants to play O-Line. I don't know any kid at that age who wants to play offensive line."

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ESPN NEW YORK

New York Jets pass on QBs, try to build around Geno Smith (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York May 2, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/51070/new-york-jets-pass-on-quarterbacks-try-to-build-around-geno-smith

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Woody Johnson wanted more targets for Geno Smith. Three days later ...

Done.

Speaking at a charity function earlier in the week, the New York Jets' owner sounded upbeat about his maddeningly inconsistent quarterback and suggested Smith could be salvaged by improving his supporting cast.

"We're going to get him more targets," Johnson told reporters.

With the addition of Devin Smith, the Jets ramped up their receiving corps, putting the ball in Geno Smith's court. Greg Bartram/USA TODAY Sports

After passing on blue-chip wide receiver Kevin White in the first round, the Jets added two receivers on Day 2 of the NFL draft. They chose Ohio State speedster Devin Smith in the second round (37th overall) and later acquired veteran DeVier Posey in a trade with the Houston Texans.

Along the way, the Jets resisted the urge to take the quarterback plunge and said no to the draft's second-tier passers, Bryce Petty, Brett Hundley, Sean Mannion and Garrett Grayson. Petty and Hundley remain on the board as we head into Saturday's fourth round, so there's still a chance the Jets take one of them, but based on the first two days, the' new regime seems willing to build with Smith instead of drafting his replacement.

Actually, let's rephrase that: Maybe they feel resigned to another year of Smith (or Ryan Fitzpatrick) because there's nothing better out there.

With Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley and Smith, the receiving corps is more than respectable. Now the Jets have to hope the rising tide can raise all the boats in the harbor, namely the S.S. Geno.

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"Hopefully, with the chemistry and the work ethic and the change of offensive scheme, which hopefully [Smith] can work with and grasp a lot better and a lot faster, we hope that makes everybody a lot better," coach Todd Bowles said.

Translation: Better plan and better talent on offense mean a better Geno.

They'd better hope so. If not, the Jets are doomed to another season of mediocrity.

Obviously, Johnson didn't issue an edict to his football people demanding more weapons. He was merely parroting the plan devised by general manager Mike Maccagnan, who seems to have a firm grasp of what it will take to get the Jets back into the playoffs.

Maccagnan's first pick, defensive end Leonard Williams, was a no-brainer. His second pick, Devin Smith ... well, it'll be interesting to see how he turns out. He's a Mike Wallace-type receiver, meaning he's a one-dimensional wideout -- he runs very fast and catches deep passes. In 2014, Smith averaged 28 yards per catch, a ridiculous number. He ran deep routes on more than 50 percent of his targets, which makes him the ultimate one-trick pony. Hey, it worked for Ohio State; he scored 30 touchdowns in 54 career games.

"Kind of rare," Maccagnan said of Smith's production.

But you can't consistently run past cornerbacks in the NFL. The Jets discovered that with Stephen Hill, who never learned how to master the route tree, among other things. You hate to compare Smith to Hill, but Smith will hear it until he proves himself as a complete receiver.

"[My speed] can help a lot, especially if they throw deep," Smith said. "Going vertical, I really think I can help this team in that area."

That might be good for his rookie season, but he'll eventually have to be an every-down, every-route receiver. Can he do it? Maccagnan said they scouted Smith at the Senior Bowl and in individual workouts, watching him run a variety of routes. He is convinced Smith is capable of being more than what Ohio State asked him to be.

As for Posey, he was Devin Smith three years ago, a third-round pick out of Ohio State. He didn't click with Texans coach Bill O'Brien, who inherited Posey from the previous regime and kept him on the bench for virtually the entire season. The Texans tossed him into a trade that included the swap of third-round picks. Maccagnan, previously Houston's director of college scouting, was happy to accept one of his old draft picks.

The Jets are collecting targets. They'd better hope Geno Smith can start hitting them.

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Jets LB Lorenzo Mauldin overcome with emotion after incredible journey (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York May 2, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/51066/jets-lb-lorenzo-mauldin-overcome-with-emotion-after-incredible-journey

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Lorenzo Mauldin was so overcome with emotion upon being drafted by the New York Jets that he choked up during a conference call with reporters late Friday night.

For the former Louisville linebacker, chosen in the third round, it was the culmination of a remarkable and gut-wrenching journey. At the age of 2, Mauldin and his four siblings entered the foster-care system because their parents were in jail. Growing up in Atlanta, he spent time in 16 different foster homes.

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Undaunted, he received a college scholarship, earned a degree and fulfilled his dream of being drafted into the NFL.

What an amazing story.

Mauldin's emotions poured out as he spoke to reporters. He paused several times, sobbing over the phone.

"My emotions right now ... I'm speechless, I can't talk right now," he said. "I've been working my butt off since I could remember. Now that I've got a chance to show an NFL team what I've got ... I want to show them more than what I've got. I'm ready to do this.

"I'm going to shut up all the critics. I'm going to shut up everybody that has ever doubted me. I'm going to do what I've got to do to get where I need to be in the NFL -- and beyond."

After an awkward silence, Mauldin went on, crying louder than before.

"This is my chance! This is my chance to show everybody," he exclaimed. "This is my chance to show everybody that I can do what I do, and I'm going to do it beyond what I do. I'm going to work hard. I'm going to work harder than hard, no matter what [anybody] says."

Most of the time, these post-pick conference calls are mundane exercises, with the player speaking in clichés. I just want to help the team. ... I'm excited to be drafted. This was touching and candid, with Mauldin losing himself in the moment. Obviously, no one can relate to what he was feeling.

"From where he came to where he is now, getting drafted, I could see where he'd be emotional," coach Todd Bowles said.

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Jets acquire WR DeVier Posey in trade with Texans (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York May 1, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/51052/jets-acquire-wr-devier-posey-in-trade-with-texans

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets traded down in the third round, swapping places with the Houston Texans in exchange for wide receiver DeVier Posey and two additional draft picks.

The Jets dealt the 70th overall choice to the Texans, who used it to take wide receiver Jaelen Strong. In return, the Jets received a third-round pick (82 overall), a fifth-rounder (152) and a seventh-rounder (229).

Posey, a third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2012, hasn't produced much. He has 22 career receptions for 272 yards and no touchdowns.

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan was the Texans' director of college scouting when Posey was drafted.

In the span of an hour, the Jets added two receivers, Posey and second-round pick Devin Smith, who also happens to be from Ohio State.

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Joe Klecko likes Jets' selection of Leonard Williams and D-line potential (Rich Cimini) ESPN.com May 1, 2015

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http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/12801365/new-york-jets-legend-joe-klecko-likes-leonard-williams-pick-team-d-line-potential

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Long before first-round pick Leonard Williams was born, the New York Jets' identity was defined by their front four -- the New York Sack Exchange, circa 1981.

The Jets' current defensive line, buttressed by Williams, has the potential to transcend its famous ancestors, according to a member of the celebrated Sack Exchange.

Joe Klecko, left, who had his Jets jersey retired in 2004, says the team's current D-line could be even better than his famed New York Sack Exchange. AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

"I think these guys are better (than we were)," Joe Klecko told ESPN.com Friday in a phone interview. "They have three dominant pass-rushers. I firmly believe they'll chase records."

With two of the top young linemen in the league, Muhammad Wilkerson andSheldon Richardson, the Jets weren't necessarily looking to draft another Thursday night. But Williams, regarded by some teams as the top prospect in the draft, slipped to the Jets at No. 6.

They couldn't resist.

The Jets are so stacked that, barring a trade, Williams probably won't be an Opening Day starter in Todd Bowles' 3-4 base front. Bowles also has run-stuffing nose tackle Damon Harrison and hybrid linebacker/lineman Quinton Coples, who, along with Wilkerson and Richardson, is a former first-round pick.

Williams said he doesn't mind the cramped depth chart.

"Not at all," he said at his introductory news conference at the Jets' facility. "I love competition. I feel like it pushes everybody."

The Jets finished sixth in total defense despite an overmatched secondary. They addressed that in free agency, signing three cornerbacks -- Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine.

With improved pass coverage and an already strong pass rush, the Jets have a chance to be special on defense.

"It's a quarterback's nightmare," Klecko said. "I don't know of any offensive coordinator that would want to face this. They're going to be unstoppable."

In the early 1980s, Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam terrorized opponents. Klecko and Gastineau were the primary pass-rushers, with Lyons and Salaam anchoring against the run.

The selection of top draft pick Leonard Williams augments the Jets' already formidable stable of defensive lineman. Winslow Townson/Getty Images

The Jets envision Williams as a three-down player. At USC, he played inside and outside over three years, playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. In 39 games, he recorded 21 sacks. He's six weeks shy of his 21st birthday, so he's still developing.

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"To me, you're looking at a guy that's scratching the surface of the player he can potentially be, and that player could be a very good run defender and pass-rusher when you put it all together," general manager Mike Maccagnan said.

Klecko said Williams has the best hands of any young defensive lineman he's ever seen.

It has been a long, interesting road for Williams, a former Pop Warner reject who didn't start playing organized football until high school. He wasn't allowed to play Pop Warner because he exceeded the 180-pound weight limit. At 13, he already was 200 pounds.

Williams recalled the day he found out he couldn't play.

"I was really sad, man, because they sent me home and I couldn't play anymore," he said. "It was kind of a turning point for me."

In retrospect, Williams believes it was "a blessing in disguise" because he noticed how some of his USC teammates were experiencing football burnout because they started at such a young age.

At 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, Williams is built like a man -- a large man -- but he exudes a youthful enthusiasm. He doesn't have a driver's license and he doesn't own a car. In college, he traveled the USC campus on a long board.

"I'm definitely going to have to get a car now," said Williams, who will be able to afford it once he signs a contract that will guarantee an estimated $18 million. Williams said "it's almost unreal to finally be in this position."

He endured a difficult childhood, moving several times around the country before attending high school in Daytona Beach, Florida. His father, Clenon Williams, has been incarcerated in Florida since 2012, convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon. He's due to be released in 2019.

He spoke to his father on Monday night.

"Me and my dad still have a great relationship," Williams said. "Because of good behavior, they allowed him to have a cell phone or something like that. We're able to talk on the phone a lot, and I'm able to send him pictures, and keep him updated with everything that I'm doing.

"Even though he's a Dallas Cowboys fan, he's really proud of me."

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Leonard Williams, wasting no time, says he can't wait to sack Tom Brady (Rich Cimini) ESPN.com May 1, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/51035/leonard-williams-wasting-no-time-says-he-cant-wait-to-sack-tom-brady

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- What is it with the New York Jets' first-round draft picks and their fixation with the New England Patriots?

A year ago, safety Calvin Pryor called out the Patriots in a TV interview. On Thursday night, defensive end Leonard Williamsdid the same, saying he looking forward to sacking Tom Brady.

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"I know that's a big rivalry ... They have a lot of pictures up of Brady around the complex," Williams told reporters in Chicago, shortly after being chosen sixth overall.

The former USC star, who got a peek inside the Jets' facility during a recent visit, added: "I'm looking forward to a great matchup against him. I hope that he is my first sack of my career, against Tom Brady."

Actually, it would be disappointing if Brady is his first sack victim, considering the first Jets-Patriots game doesn't happen until Week 7. Williams apparently didn't know the Jets' schedule; why would he? If nothing else, you have to admire his confidence. He'll fit right in with the rest of the Jets' defensive linemen.

A memo to young Mr. Williams: Brady isn't the easiest guy to sack.

Pryor made similar comments last year, saying: "We don't like Tom at all. When I first came here, that was one of the first things I heard about: We hate the Patriots, and we hate the Giants."

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Day 2 preview: Options for Jets in second, third rounds (Rich Cimini) ESPN.com May 1, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/51032/day-2-preview-options-for-jets-in-second-third-rounds

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Are you ready for Day 2?

The New York Jets have two selections – the fifth pick in the second round (No. 37 overall) and the sixth pick in the third (No. 70 overall).

After taking USC defensive end Leonard Williams in round one, the Jets could go in several directions – offensive line, running back, linebacker, quarterback.

The biggest questions: Would they take a chance on the talented but troubled Randy Gregory, who slipped out of the first round? How ‘bout a quarterback?

Frankly, the second round is too soon to take a quarterback. The top remaining passers – Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson and Brett Hundley – aren’t good enough to warrant second-round consideration, as least as far as the Jets are concerned.

It wouldn’t be a stunner, though, if the Jets go quarterback in the third round. Todd Bowles has said he’d like to add another player to the depth chart. A third-round quarterback would be a hedge-your-bet choice; it wouldn’t represent a huge commitment, but it would send a message to Geno Smith.

As for Gregory, I don’t think the Jets will go there, based on what I’ve heard. He’d fill the need for an explosive edge rusher, but there are serious character concerns that go beyond multiple failed drug tests, including a positive test for marijuana at the scouting combine.

“Gregory is a good kid, but he has a lot of things going on – medical, psychological and emotional issues that need to be looked at,” a scout from an NFC team said.

Gregory has been described as the ultimate boom-or-bust pick. The Jets should stay clear of him in the second round.

Some Day 2 possibilities:

Eli Harold, outside linebacker, Virginia – The Jets hosted him on a pre-draft visit. The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder recorded seven sacks last season.

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T.J. Clemmings, right tackle, Pitt – He’s a local kid from Paterson Catholic High in New Jersey. He’s a nasty, road-grading blocker with some athleticism, but he needs a lot of technique work. A stress fracture in his foot needs to be checked out.

Devin Smith, wide receiver, Ohio State – If the Jets want a home-run threat, they’d have to consider Smith, who produced 931 yards and 10 touchdowns on only 33 catches.

Jaelen Strong, wide receiver, Arizona State – At 6-2, 217 pounds, he’s a big, strong possession receiver. He may need wrist surgery.

Duke Johnson, running back, Miami – The Jets need speed in the backfield. Johnson ran only 4.54 at the combine, but he plays faster than that. He rushed for 1,652 yards last season.

Hau'Oli Kikaha, outside linebacker, Washington – All he did was sack the quarterback in college – 19 sacks last season, including at least one in each of his team’s 14 games.

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New York Jets' defensive line gets more crowded (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York May 1, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/51026/new-york-jets-defensive-line-becomes-a-crowded-room

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets already had one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. The addition of first-round pick Leonard Williams strengthens their case.

The question is, how do you get all these guys on the field?

Unless Todd Bowles switches to a 5-2 front, something you'd see on the high-school level, it won't be easy. Bowles said he's not planning to scrap his blueprint, meaning the base defense will be a 3-4. Obviously, there will be four-man looks on third down, but there's no doubt that playing time will be affected by the surplus of linemen -- assuming no one is traded before the season.

In case you're wondering, Williams will be a defensive end (or 5-technique) in the 3-4 defense. At USC, he played inside and outside. In the last two seasons, Williams recorded five sacks when lined up at end, seven when lined up as tackle and one when lined up as nose tackle, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Below is a breakdown of how the Jets' playing time was divided last season. Remember, the base defense was a 3-4. The snap counts represent the number of times each player lined up as a down lineman, according to ESPN Stats. As you can see, they basically had a seven-man rotation:

Sheldon Richardson -- 716 snaps

Muhammad Wilkerson -- 672 (missed three games)

Quinton Coples -- 476

Damon Harrison -- 464

Leger Douzable -- 293

Jason Babin -- 277

Calvin Pace -- 170

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Below is a breakdown of the total snap counts on third down -- and by "total" we mean the number of times the player was on the field, regardless of position. As you can see, it was a five-man rotation. These numbers are bound to drop with Williams in the mix:

Richardson -- 183 snaps

Pace -- 166

Wilkerson -- 163

Babin -- 129

Coples -- 124

Douzable -- 58

Harrison -- 49

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Devin Smith: A scouting report on the Jets' second-round pick (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media May 1, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/jets_scouting_report_tktk.html

FLORHAM PARK — After addressing defense (again) with their first-round pick, the Jets on Friday night selected a potential weapon to quarterback Geno Smith in the second round: Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith.

Smith gives Jets quarterback Geno Smith another weapon. Geno Smith had struggled mightily during his first two seasons, but he also did not have a deep receiving corps. The Jets addressed the position in free agency by trading for Bears wideout Brandon Marshall. And now, by adding Devin Smith, they've added a true deep threat to complement a group that also includes Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley.

Now let's get to the book on Devin Smith.

First, the measurables:

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 196 pounds

Hometown: Massillon, Ohio

College: Ohio State

Strengths: Smooth speed merchant with instant gas off the line. Has outstanding body composure and an effortless stride. Electrifying foot quickness. Game-breaking speed with necessary feel of a downfield receiver. Tracks the throw over his shoulder and never breaks stride in the chase. Averaged 28.2 yards per catch and 54.5 percent of his catches were for 25-plus yards in 2014. Used outside and from slot. Must be matched by speed on defense or with safety over the top.

Weaknesses: Lacks natural, soft hands. Will double catch and corral throws into body. Tries to catch, turn and run before securing the throw. Shows a lack of patience in his routes. Game too heavily reliant upon speed. Must

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learn to be effective when deep ball is restricted by defense. Thin hips and frame. Play strength is below average.

Player comparison: DeSean Jackson

Strengths: Legit vertical speed to be a "go route" tormentor - averaged one touchdown every 4.0 catches in college...gliding strides to stretch the field with take-it-the-distance acceleration...plant-and-drive burst with strong cuts and lower body explosion...tracks very well, using body angles to box out and gain correct positioning downfield...quick hands to pluck, extending his catch radius beyond others with his size. Acrobatic ballskills to make highlight-reel grabs...flexible joints with the body control to make natural adjustments...excellent special teams player and often the first down the field on punt coverages - gains free release and speeds down the field with conviction...starred for three years on the Ohio State track & field team - qualified for NCAA regionals with a 7-0.25 high jump, which ranks top-five in school history...finished among the FBS leaders in 2014 with a 28.2 yards per catch average (also a single season school record) and leaves Columbus fifth in school history in career receiving yards (2,503).

Weaknesses: Lean body type with wiry muscle tone...field fast with light feet, but looks mechanical when asked to move laterally...doesn't set up defenders in his routes and lacks diverse stem releases...wild footwork in his patterns and lacks control in his movements, making him most effective in a straight-line - unpolished as an underneath target and struggles to sink and separate in his breaks.

Inconsistent hands and drops too many easy throws with streaky focus...tracks the ball well, but late to adjust and attack if the ball doesn't hit him in stride...will get pushed around and too easily re-routed and knocked off his path...averaged only 2.2 catches per game as a senior and his limitations kept him from being an every-down receiver.

Summary: Although he's a one-trick pony right now, Smith is really talented at that one trick, using his striding speed to stretch the field and be a difference-maker on vertical routes - Ohio high school state champion in the 100-meter dash (10.56). He is most effective on downfield routes and defenses must respect that, but is limited everywhere else on offense with shaky hands and a raw route tree, struggling to smoothly transition at the top of his patterns or set up his breaks.

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NFL Draft 2015: 5 things to know about Jets' second-round pick, Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media May 1, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/nfl_draft_2015_5_things_to_know_about_jets_second-.html

FLORHAM PARK — The Jets on Friday night selected Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith with the fifth pick of the second round in the NFL Draft.

The Jets opted to go with offense to begin Day 2, after they took Southern California defensive lineman Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick Thursday night.

While the Jets' defensive line has been their greatest strength in recent years, their passing offense has clearly been their most glaring weakness.

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Smith was the first receiver picked in Round 2. He is 6 feet and 196 pounds. The Jets, despite trading for Brandon Marshall this offseason, entered this draft needing more help at receiver, since they still lacked a fast downfield target.

Can Smith, who is known for his speed, be that type of receiver for the Jets? How will Smith fit in alongside Marshall, Eric Decker and slot receiver Jeremy Kerley?

The past three seasons, the Jets ranked 32nd, 31st and 30th in the NFL in passing yards. It is almost impossible to win in today's NFL with those type of rankings. Obviously, shoddy quarterback play had just as much to do with the Jets' passing shortcomings as lack of consistent talent and health at receiver

Whoever the Jets' quarterback winds up being this year — Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick — he will get to work with an upgraded receiver group. That much seems clear.

As you consider just how much Smith will be able to boost the Jets as a rookie, here are five things to know about him:

1. Can't coach speed: Many draft analysts view Smith as the best deep threat in this year's class. However, his 4.42-second 40-yard dash time was tied for just seventh-best among receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine.

2. Making the most of opportunities: Smith didn't lead the Buckeyes in receptions in 2014. Michael Thomas did. Still, Smith made the most of his 33 grabs, accumulating 931 yards. That works out to 28.2 yards per catch, most in the country.

3. Track and field roots: At least part of Smith's skills on the football field can be traced back to his days competing in track and field in high school. Smith is a former state high school high jump champion. He spent three seasons as a member of Ohio State's track and field team. Smith is from Massillon, Ohio.

4. Having an impact: Ohio State never lost a game when Smith caught a touchdown. The Buckeyes were 22-0 in games that Smith hauled in a touchdown, including an 8-0 record in 2014. Of course, the Buckeyes rarely lost late in Smith's career. From his sophomore season through his senior year, they dropped just three total games. Ohio State went 6-7 during Smith's freshman year, 2011, as he had 14 catches for four touchdowns. Smith finished his college career with 30 touchdown catches.

5. Biggest games at biggest times: Smith has the mentality of a big-game player and the production to back it up. While he had a quiet performance in last season's national championship game, Smith made four catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns against Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. His lone catch in the national title game went for 45 yards. His two catches in the national semifinals against Alabama totaled 87 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown. It was the 12th touchdown catch of Smith's senior year.

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Lorenzo Mauldin: A scouting report on the Jets' third-round pick (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media May 1, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/nfl_draft_2015_scouting_report_for_jets_third-roun.html

FLORHAM PARK — The Jets on Friday night selected Louisville outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin in the third round in the NFL Draft, aftertrading back in the round, from the 70th overall pick to the 82nd.

The Jets' selection of Mauldin gives them their first edge rusher of this draft, after they went with defensive lineman Leonard Williams and wide receiver Devin Smith for their first two picks.

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How will Mauldin fit into coach Todd Bowles' 3-4 defense? That remains to be seen. But the Jets obviously needed a young edge rusher, because Calvin Pace and Jason Babin are nearing retirement and former first-round pick Quinton Coples has disappointed.

Let's take a look at some information about Mauldin's game, in the form of scouting reports.

First, the vitals:

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 259 pounds

Hometown: Atlanta

College: Louisville

NFL.com's scouting report:

Strengths: Confident and tough with high football character. Gives second effort and doesn't quit on plays. Arm over can make tackles look foolish in pass rush. Productive and active against the run. Has good awareness and will get hands in the passing lanes when his rush stalls out. Straight-line burst upfield to quarterback when he has him in sights. Can stick a foot in the ground and change direction quickly to beat tackles inside.

Weaknesses: Rigid mover lacking thickness in lower body. Doesn't consistently utilize power in his hands. Plays too upright. Doesn't dip and turn corner as tightly as you would like for a 3-4 edge rusher. Gears down to set up pass-rush moves. Lack of size and leverage could be a problem in the league when taking on run.

Bottom line: Known for strong mental makeup, Mauldin is expected to check all of the character boxes, according to scouts. Productive pass rusher with a knack for beating tackles inside. Finds the ball quickly and chases against the run. Very active, productive collegiate player.

CBSSports.com's scouting report:

Strengths: Quick-footed with lower body agility and burst in space. Clean footwork and solid change of direction skills as a stand-up defender. Smooth strides off the edge to hit his top speed quickly, occasionally showing the ability to dip and bend. Quick trigger and get-off to aggressively attack gaps. Physical hand use and an improved punch. Trusts his vision with quick reflexes to react to the action, reading plays well to get his hands up and obstruct passing lanes (7 pass break-ups the past two seasons). Heady awareness to locate, track and attack with his eyes always focused on the ball, not the bodies in front of him. Hits like a truck and his pursuit is always in full-go mode. Active, emotional and fiery player with natural leadership traits, looking to educate his teammates. Versatile starting experience at end and linebacker, rushing from a three point stance and also standing up as both a rusher and coverage defender. Self-motivated hard worker who has shown the ability to overcome adversity and keep his priorities straight.

Weaknesses: Average size, frame and length with limited growth potential. Upper body strength has room for improvement to help his shed technique. Can get locked up and struggles to get his body free. Plays tall and lacks ideal flexibility or pad level off the edge. Needs to better set up his rush and develop his secondary moves to attack with a cohesive plan rushing the passes. Needs to be more reliable setting the edge and not losing contain. Will overpursue and needs to better control his intensity. Snap movements have been inconsistent in the past, both early and late. Durability needs vetted after a number of nagging injuries over his career, including an on-campus moped accident (April 2013), shoulder surgery (spring

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2014) and a hamstring issue that plagued him as a senior. Played both defensive end and linebacker as a starter in college and has some tweener traits.

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Lorenzo Mauldin: 5 things to know about Jets' third-round draft pick (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media May 1, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/lorenzo_mauldin_5_things_to_know_about_jets_third-.html

FLORHAM PARK — The Jets got their edge rusher.

After going with a defensive end and a wide receiver in the first two rounds before making a trade when it was initially their turn in the third round, the Jets on Friday night selected Louisville outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, a 6-4, 259-pound native of Atlanta, with the 82nd overall pick.

Mauldin gives the Jets the young edge rusher many observers thought they'd select as high as the No. 6 pick in the first round. He figures to compete with Calvin Pace and Quinton Coples at outside linebacker, the one position the ever-active Jets had yet to address in what's been a busy offseason.

Let's get down to what you need to know about Mauldin, with a hat-tip to Dane Brugler's 2015 NFL Draft Guide.

• Rough upbringing. According to this Robert Klemko story in The MMQB, Mauldin grew up in 16 different foster homes because both of his parents were in jail. He's obviously overcome quite a bit, and he's earned a college degree,

• Converted tight end. Mauldin was to attend college at South Carolina, but he didn't score well on standardized tests and eventually landed at Louisville, where he had been a defensive end and tight end as a freshman before sticking with defense the rest of the way.

• Move to outside linebacker. Louisville switched to a 3-4 in 2013, which is when Mauldin became a standup outside linebacker.

• What the Jets think. Jets head coach Todd Bowles said Mauldin was more of a hybrid who could play both with his hand in the ground and standing straight up as a linebacker. Bowles said he particularly liked Mauldin's "tenacity," saying he was "perfect for us."

• Emotional. In a conference call with reporters just after he was picked, Mauldin could hardly contain himself. he broke down and cried when asked about his upbringing, crying tears of joy. "This is my chance," he said. "I'm going to show them more than what I've got. I'm going to shut up everybody that has ever doubted me. This is my chance to show everybody. I'm going to work harder than hard, no matter what nobody say."

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After enduring rough childhood, Jets draft pick Lorenzo Mauldin tearfully vows to excel in NFL (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media May 2, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/lorenzo_mauldin_emotional_jets_draft_pick.html

FLORHAM PARK — Lorenzo Mauldin had answered all the typical football questions, about his skills and speed and chasing after quarterbacks.

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But for Mauldin, this night, and the phone call he just received from the Jets, struck deeper than what he's done in a helmet and pads. This was a forever moment in his difficult life, the Friday evening he can cling to decades from now, regardless of what he accomplishes in NFL games.

Few, if any, prospects in this year's draft overcame more to reach this point — this long-awaited phone call from an NFL team — than Mauldin.

Both of his parents bounced in and out of jail throughout his life. He went to live with a foster family at age 2. He spent time in 16 different foster homes growing up.

Mauldin eventually found stability and success, in life and football. He graduated from the University of Louisville, where he turned himself into an NFL prospect. And then came that phone call Friday night. It was the Jets, who drafted Mauldin, an outside linebacker, in the third round.

A little while later, he fielded the normal football questions from reporters on a conference call. Then he pondered what this really meant for him, a kid who faced every obstacle in a hellish childhood that could have — and probably should have — prevented him from reaching this culminating moment.

"I've been thinking about this ... " Mauldin said.

And then his voice caught. He began weeping. He paused and composed himself. He wanted to — needed to — articulate what this all meant.

"I've been thinking about this ever since I was playing Pop Warner football, as a wide receiver," he said, still fighting back tears. "I'm thinking, 'I'm playing wide receiver and I'm going to be playing wide receiver in the league.' My emotions right now, I'm speechless. I can't even think right now, man. I've been working my butt off since I can remember.

"And now that I've got a chance to show NFL teams what I've got, I'm going to show them what I've got — and I'm going to show them more than what I've got. I'm ready. I'm ready to do this. I'm going to shut up all the critics. I'm going to shut up everybody that has ever doubted me. I'm going to do what I've got to do, to get where I need to be in the NFL — and beyond."

There was a long pause. The reporters were finished with their questions. But Mauldin wasn't done pouring out his emotions, with all those years of struggles finally behind him.

"This is my chance," he said, breaking down in tears again. "This is my chance to show everybody. This my chance to show everybody that I can do what I do, and I'm going to do it beyond what I can do. I'm going to work hard. I'm going to work harder than hard, no matter what nobody says."

Mauldin's story clearly resonates. Here's Rams defensive end Chris Long congratulating Mauldin on being drafted:

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10 takeaways from Jets draft pick Leonard Williams' introductory press conference (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media May 1, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/xx_takeaways_from_jets_draft_pick_leonard_williams.html

FLORHAM PARK — The Jets' first-round draft pick, defensive lineman Leonard Williams of Southern California, just finished speaking with reporters at the team's facility.

Here are 10 takeaways from what he said:

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1. He's fine with a crowded defensive line. The Jets now have Williams, end Muhammad Wilkerson, tackle Sheldon Richardson and nose tackle Damon Harrison ontheir defensive front in their 3-4 scheme. Too crowded with talent, if such a thing exists? "Not at all," Williams said. "I love competition. I feel like it pushes everybody."

2. He was honored that Wilkerson and Darrelle Revis welcomed him.Wilkerson and Revis, the Jets' star cornerback, both welcomed Williams on social media. "It means a lot for me, for those guys, especially on the defense, to welcome me as a rookie," Williams said.

3. He remains close with his incarcerated father. Williams' dad, Clenon Williams, is locked up at Marion Correctional Institution in Lowell, Fla. His multiple crimes include robbery with a deadly weapon. He is projected to be released in November of 2019 — about seven years after he went to prison. (For more on Williams' tough background, check out this excellent story in the Orange County Register.) Williams' father was sentenced during the fall of his freshman year at USC. "Me and my dad still have a great relationship," Williams said. "Because of good behavior, they allowed him to have a cell phone or something like that. We're able to talk on the phone a lot, and I'm able to send him pictures, and keep him updated with everything that I'm doing." Williams said he hasn't gotten a chance to speak to his dad since he was drafted. Williams said he is "pretty sure" his dad was able to find out the Jets picked him.

4. Start scouting his kid brother. Williams is 6-5 and 302 pounds. Size runs in his family. "We get it from my mom's side," he said. "My uncles are like 6-7 on my mom's size. All my brothers are about the same size. You guys should probably start recruiting my youngest brother right now. He's going to be pretty big." Williams added that his 9-year-old brother, Andrew, weighs 140 pounds and wants to play offensive line. "I don't know any kid at that age who wants to play offensive line," Williams said. "Most people want to play skill positions."

5. Williams was too big to play Pop Warner football. "I'm sure he's going to have the same problem," Williams said of Andrew. "He's probably not going to be able to play until high school." When Williams was denied playing Pop Warner at age 13 — he weighed 200 pounds, 20 pounds over the weight limit — "I thought it was a bad thing." But he later learned it was "a blessing in disguise." Years later, when he spoke to USC teammates, they told him they got sick of football because they had been playing for so long. Williams thinks he has a lot of passion for the sport because he couldn't start until later.

6. Being denied from football as a teenager stuck with him. Williams still vividly recalls how it happened. "I remember that day like really detailed," he said. "I just remember there was a really long line going up to the little tent where you've got to sign in. I was so excited when it was finally my turn to sign him. And then they told me to weigh in and I was like 20 pounds above the weight limit. I was just really sad, man, because they sent me home and I couldn't play anymore. It was kind of a turning point. I felt like it kind of pushed me even harder to be the best that I could be when I could finally play."

7. He doesn't mind criticisms of his pass rush technique. It is something that draft analysts have mentioned about Williams. They say his technique is raw. "I guess I could say it's fair," he said of the critiques. "I feel like the biggest thing is just probably working on my get-off." He said USC played a "read type" 3-4 defense, so he now has to "flip the switch" and "try to change into an attack mode." Williams said he thinks he plays well with his hands as a pass rusher. Here's more info on what he can do better as a pass rusher.

8. He doesn't have a driver's license. That's because USC's campus is small and he didn't have any desire to go out in Los Angeles and hit the clubs. He lived close to the campus, so he didn't need a car. Instead, he rode his longboard skateboard around, as a mode of transportation. "A lot of people asked me, 'Am I looking forward to getting a car?'" Williams said. "I was saying, 'Yeah, I'm looking forward to getting a license and a car.' But they were saying that people don't drive in New York, so I might not need one." He

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realizes that the Jets' training facility is in suburban New Jersey, and not Manhattan. Bottom line: He won't come rolling into One Jets Drive on the longboard. "I'm definitely going to get a car now," he said. He can afford it.

9. So how'd he get that nickname? His nickname is Big Cat. He got it as a sophomore at USC. "It's because a lot of people say I like resemble a lion or something like that," he said. "They started calling me Big Cat. And I guess because I'm like big." He is indeed. And he has quite a mane of hair, too.

10. He was sort of a Raiders fan. A few months back, Williams posted an altered photo on his Instagram account. It showed him in a USC uniform, but the colors had been changed to Raiders silver and black. There was a Raiders logo slapped onto the image, and a caption that read: "#raidernation. best fans." Williams said his family members are fans of the Cowboys and Raiders. The Jaguars, Raiders and Washington all passed on Williams before the Jets took him. (The Jets play all three teams this season.) "At the end of the day, my dream was to be in the NFL," Williams said. "The Raiders just would've been a good deal, just because I would've stayed in California and my family loves California. My mom would've liked if I had played for the Raiders. At the same time, I'm letting everything up to this point go, and I'm starting a whole new chapter in my life. I'm really glad to be a part of the Jets."

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How does Leonard Williams see himself fitting in on Jets' defensive line? (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media May 1, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/how_does_leonard_williams_see_himself_fitting_in_w.html

Leonard Williams sees himself, first and foremost, as a defensive end. Which just happens to be a position the Jets have pretty-well covered with Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.

But Williams is also willing to see what the Jets have in store for him.

"I'm willing to play wherever they want me to play because being versatile at USC, it allows me to fit in a lot of different spots," Williams said Friday at his introductory press conference in Florham Park on the day after the Jets drafted him sixth overall. "I would prefer to play defensive end, but also in a lot of sub-packages and that, I can move around and find spots to get to the quarterback."

In other words, maybe look for the Jets to play Williams inside on passing downs.

Williams, who comes from a family that rooted for the Raiders and Cowboys, said he grew up admiring defensive end DeMarcus Ware, who now plays for the Broncos. But he also likes the way the Texans use J.J Watt—the league's best defensive end—by moving him around a lot.

"I've watched and studied a lot of different players," Williams said. "I don't try to compare myself to any specific player, but I've kind of watched J.J. Watt a lot, and the main reason was because I liked the way they use him—versatile all-around the D-line, and that's the way they used me at USC."

If there's a knock on Williams' game, it's that he can be slow off the ball and tends to react to the play more often than he should. But he's aware of such criticism. Williams had played in a 3-4 at USC, but the Trojans also utilized a 4-3 at times, which is something Jets head coach Todd Bowles said he would do, too, depending on the opponent and the situation.

"I feel like the biggest thing is just probably working on my get-off," Williams said. "Because working in a 3-4, playing a read-type defense at USC, you kind of have to flip the switch and try to change into an attack mode instead of a read."

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Jets draft pick Leonard Williams already calls out New England Patriots' Tom Brady (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media May 1, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/05/jets_draft_pick_leonard_williams_already_calls_out.html

FLORHAM PARK — This Leonard Williams fellow sounds like he's going to fit right in with the Jets, all right.

On Thursday night in Chicago, moments after the Jets made the former USC defensive end the No. 6 pick in the draft, Williams was asked about having to play the Patriots—the reigning Super Bowl champs and the Jets' longstanding rivals—twice a season.

Williams didn't aw-shucks his way around the question. He went straight for Pats quarterback Tom Brady.

"I know that's a big rivalry ... They have a lot of pictures up of Brady around the complex," said Williams of the Jets, whose facility he visited in the run-up to the draft.

Williams isn't wrong: From Bill Parcells to the Curtis Martin trade to Bill Belichick to Eric Mangini to Spygate to Rex Ryan to Darrelle Revis to tampering, the Jets and Pats do have quite a rivalry, even if it's been rather one-sided in favor of the Pats in recent years.

In his next breath, Williams dropped the gauntlet.

"I'm looking forward to a great matchup against him," Williams said. "I hope that he is my first sack of my career, against Tom Brady."

Boom. Roasted. Take that, Brady. Just pay no attention to the fact that the Jets don't play the Pats until Week 7.

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NEW YORK POST

Jets scoop up speed-demon WR from Ohio State (Brian Costello) New York Post May 1, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/05/01/jets-scoop-up-speed-demon-wr-from-ohio-state/

A night after bolstering their already fierce defense in the NFL draft, the Jets addressed their shaky offense in the second round on Friday.

The team selected Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith with their second-round pick, the 37th overall. Smith is known for his speed (4.38 40-yard dash) and his ability to track down deep balls. He played for the national champion Buckeyes, notching 33 receptions for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

“We obviously feel he’s a very good prospect to potentially add to our offense and give us a little more impact and a potential playmaker in that area,” Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said.

This gives the Jets’ offense a speed dimension it has sorely lacked. Maccagnan acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall in a trade with the Bears in March to go along with Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley.

While that is a much-improved receiving corps than the Jets have had in recent years, they were lacking a deep threat.

“I think [my speed] can help a lot, especially stretching the field and going vertical I think I can really help this team in that area,” Smith said.

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If Geno Smith is the starting quarterback for the third straight season, he no longer has the excuse of not having enough weapons around him on offense.

The Jets traded down in the third round, swapping third-round picks with the Texans and picking up picks in the fifth round and seventh round as well as wide receiver DeVier Posey.

With the No. 82 pick, they took Louisville outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin.

Devin Smith, who is from the football-crazy town of Massillon, Ohio, finished his career with 121 career receptions for 2,503 yards and 30 touchdowns. He averaged an eye-popping 37.9 yards per score.

“He is similar to Torrey Smith,” a scout said in the Nolan Nawrocki draft guide. “Smith was far more productive, but they are going to bring the same qualities to an offense.”

The 6-foot-1, 199-pounder is known for his deep-ball ability, but one criticism of him has been he shies away from contact and does not like going across the middle of the field. According to Nawrocki, he “has a big ego and is sensitive to criticism.” That could be problematic in the New York market.

His production at Ohio State also raises some questions. He never had a 50-catch season or a 1,000-yard season. Smith likely will require some coaching and may be a developmental player early on in his career. Smith said he can do more than just get open deep.

“I’m versatile,” Smith said. “You can move me inside, you can move me out. I’m very good at special teams. I was a gunner on the punt coverage team at Ohio State. I think I’m very effective on special teams.”

The Jets added Smith a night after taking USC defensive end Leonard Williams in the first round, strengthening a defense that could be one of the best in the NFL. There was a thought before the draft the Jets would take a wide receiver with the No. 6 pick, but they decided they could not pass on Williams, widely considered the best player in this entire draft.

In the third round, the Jets took Mauldin, who had 6.5 sacks for the Cardinals last year. He played defensive end his first three years at Louisville. He overcame a lot of adversity growing up, living in 16 foster homes. He missed time with knee and shoulder injuries at Louisville.

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Too huge for Pop Warner, dad in prison: Leonard Williams’ journey (Brian Costello) New York Post May 1, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/05/01/too-huge-for-pop-warner-dad-in-prison-leonard-williams-journey/

Leonard Williams still remembers the day clearly.

He was 13 and waiting in a long line to finally sign up to play football. Williams loved the game after watching it on Sundays with his father, Clenon, who himself played at Permian High School in Odessa, Texas, the subject of the book “Friday Night Lights.” Now, Leonard was finally in seventh grade, and his parents were going to allow him to play Pop Warner.

Except he was too big.

When Williams reached the tent, from which a long sign-up line stretched, he was told to step on a scale. He weighed 200 pounds. The weight limit was 180. Williams burst into tears.

“I was just really sad because they sent me home, and I couldn’t play anymore,” Williams said Friday afternoon. “It was kind of a turning point. I felt like it kind of pushed me to be the best I could be when I could finally play.”

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That passion for football only grew, as did Williams. Eventually his size was no longer a hindrance, but an asset. On Thursday night, the Jets made the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Williams their first-round draft pick. Many experts considered Williams the best player in the draft, and the Jets were stunned when he slid to them at the No. 6 pick.

For Williams, it is the realization of a dream that began while watching football with his dad, a huge Cowboys fan. Clenon was not able to be with Williams on draft night, though. He is currently serving time at Marion Correctional Institution in Ocala, Fla. He committed several crimes, including robbery with a deadly weapon. Clenon went to prison when Williams was in high school. He is not scheduled to be released until 2019.

“Me and my dad still have a great relationship, even though he’s incarcerated,” Williams said. “Actually, because of good behavior, they allowed him to have a cellphone or something like that, and we’re able to talk a lot.”

Williams said he spoke to his father on Monday, and he was excited about the draft.

It has not been an easy path for Williams to the NFL. He was born in California, but moved around while growing up, spending time in Michigan and Arizona before settling in Daytona Beach, Fla. Along the way, Williams even lived in a homeless shelter for a few weeks.

“It was kind of hard growing up moving from city to city, always having to meet new friends and going to different schools and stuff like that,” Williams said. “It was kind of a blessing in disguise. As a person, it kind of allowed me to meet people a lot easier because I’ve been through a lot of transitions into different schools. I’m pretty open and pretty personable. A lot of people like me. I get along with a lot of people.”

Williams became a star at Mainland High School and was prepared to go to Florida before a last-minute change to USC.

“What kept me going was just my passion and love for football,” Williams said. “That’s really all I play the game for. It was never, ‘To the NFL and get a paycheck’ or anything like that. Because I loved football I worked hard at it and eventually it led me to this point.”

Now, the Jets may have gotten the steal of the draft. Ed Orgeron, the assistant coach who recruited Williams to USC, said Williams compares with Warren Sapp and Cortez Kennedy, other players he coached.

“I believe they got the best player in the draft, a guy that can play end, can play tackle,” said Orgeron, now the LSU defensive-line coach. ”I think he was the most complete player in the draft.”

Williams has come a long way from that day he was told he was too big to play football.

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‘Phenomenal’ Jets top pick can devastate QBs, stop Gronkowski (Steve Serby) New York Post May 2, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/05/02/phenomenal-jets-top-pick-can-devastate-qbs-stop-gronkowski/

They call him Big Cat, and he wears a tattoo of a lion, his favorite animal, on his left hand. He is so soft-spoken it is difficult to imagine him playing like the king of the football jungle. But go ahead and ask Leonard Williams if he plays on the field like a lion.

“Yeah I think so. I play with a lot of passion,” Williams told The Post.

“When I see the ball, I feel like I’m an animal hunting it down and stuff like that.”

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Then he laughed.

Quarterbacks and running backs won’t be laughing.

Beware The Lion Cub.

Driven to one day be The Lion King.

“It means a lot to me to be great, I don’t want to just get here and be mediocre,” Williams said. “I don’t want to just get here and be mediocre or just good. I want to make the difference, and I want to be a playmaker. I want to be one of the best. It means a lot to me, and I know what it takes to get there, and I feel like what it takes to get there is hard work, and being able to learn from guys who have been through it before me.”

Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, a fellow USC Trojan, was gushing Friday over Leonard Williams.

“He’s going to be a phenomenal football player for New York,” Lott told The Post.

“You like players that can do a lot of different things. I don’t want to say he’s in the category of a Reggie White ’cause Reggie was a phenomenal football player. But he has that kind of stuff in him. Will he be Reggie White? I don’t know. If his heart and his mind … he could be that type of dominant player.”

Lott, the safety on those four Joe Montana Super Bowl 49ers teams, was witness to White’s superhuman strength.

“The young Reggie White was always constantly moving 100 miles an hour, always playing 100 miles an hour,” Lott said.

Williams is not The Next Reggie White. There is no Next Reggie White, just as there is no Next Jim Brown or Next Lawrence Taylor.

“I don’t know that the kid has that type of strength,” Lott said. “What I do know that he has, he’s got all of Reggie’s athletic ability.”

The Lion Cub has never been to New York City.

“He’s been in a big city, he understands L.A., he understands the media, he understands all that,” Lott said. “That’s not going to overwhelm him. New York will like him, I think he’ll like New York.”

Asked what kind of kid he is, Lott said: “First of all, he’s a kid that loves to have fun. He’s a kid that loves to be able to go out and show his personality. To me, what you’re going to see is a couple of things: One, he’s going to be comfortable in his skin. Yes, he knows that people are going to attack him, yes, he knows people are going to get after him. But it’s expected. When he was at SC, it was expected that he needed to play great. It was expected that he needed to be a dominant figure. He knew that, he lived up to it, he knows that coming in, he knows that he’s going to have to live up to that. He’s not a guy that’s going to sit back. … I don’t see him as a person that will be an introvert. I see a person that is what he is right now and what he’s been at USC — a kid that wants to get better, a kid that’s going to find ways to make everybody better around him.”

A kid who will give Todd Bowles added flexibility.

“He can not only drop, he can cover,” Lott said. “He’s not one-dimensional. He’s athletic enough to be able to do a lot of different things.”

Perhaps even serve as a 300-pound roadblock for Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

“You put him in front of Gronkowski, he can slow Gronkowski up and do some things that maybe impede him from getting up the field,” Lott said.

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USC defensive-line coach Chris Wilson was asked what the Jets are getting in Williams.

“First of all, they’re getting a guy who’s awesome in the locker room,” Wilson told The Post. “He’s a great teammate. I always say he’s kind of the epitome of being all-in, you know? He’s a guy that’s going to come in, he’s going to being some energy — positive energy…. He’s got a great work ethic. And he’s got a great skillset. He’s a talented guy who I think really at the end of the day, his upside’s really huge.”

Wilson likened The Lion Cub to the Eagles’ Fletcher Cox, but added: “[I] think Leonard’s unique because he can play all three positions and he can play on all three downs.”

And he can wreck the game for the other team.

“Actually, it was almost a series of plays as we’re playing Arizona to finish a game — he causes two fumbles, numerous tackles for losses — it was kind of like a four, five-play series where you sit back and go, ‘OK, this guy’s really different’ when he can take over a football game,” Wilson said.

Roar, Lion Cub, roar.

“Obviously, off the field, he’s all smiles. … He’s ultra-competitive on the field,” Wilson said. “He wants to win, and he plays that way. This guy sometimes played 80, 90 snaps a game in this league. And his motor … he plays faster than most.”

Lott could not believe his eyes when Williams dropped to the Jets.

“I was stunned because it told me that you got guys still trying to find ways to get what they think is right for their team,” Lott said.

“You never pass on greatness. You don’t pass on greatness.”

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Jets’ pick hailed as ‘best player in draft,’ with Hall of Fame comps (Zach Braziller) New York Post May 1, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/05/01/jets-pick-hailed-as-best-player-in-draft-with-hall-of-fame-comps/

In 31 years coaching college football, two players stood above the rest for Ed Orgeron — until Leonard Williams came along.

Those two, Warren Sapp and Cortez Kennedy, were above and beyond any prospects Orgeron coached, players who would become Hall of Famers. At the same age, Williams, a stud defensive lineman, can compare with both.

“He’s just like them, as far as talent,” Orgeron, a defensive-line coach with LSU, said of the Jets’ first-round pick in a phone interview. “Those guys may have done a couple of things more than he did, but he did some things better. He’s more versatile.”

“He can play inside and outside. He can dominate a football game. … Sapp could call the offensive plays before the snap, Leonard can do the same thing. Things come in slow for him, just like they did for Sapp.”

Orgeron coached defensive tackles Kennedy and Sapp at the University of Miami. Obviously, Williams has a long way to go to even approach the kind of careers they had, but the potential is there, he said.

“He’s not the same type of player, but he has the same qualities as Warren Sapp and Cortez Kennedy,” Orgeron said. “He’s got a different body type as those guys, but he has the same type of talent.”

Orgeron was stunned to see Williams drop to the Jets at six. He figured it was based on need.

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“I believe they got the best player in the draft, a guy that can play end, can play tackle,” he said. “I think he was the most complete player in the draft.”

Orgeron, Williams’ lead recruiter at USC, said what stood out the most during the recruitment was his speed for such a big man and his fun-loving attitude. A hard worker, Williams doesn’t take himself too seriously, a quality the coach thinks will suit him well in New York.

“Everybody loves big Lenny,” Orgeron said. “He’s got that smile. Everybody’s going to love him.

“Lenny is going to fit in there. He’s a well-rounded guy, and I think he’s ready for this.”

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets select Ohio State WR Devin Smith in second round of NFL draft (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News May 2, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-select-ohio-state-wr-devin-smith-nfl-draft-article-1.2207360

One day after the Jets bolstered an already formidable defensive front, new general manager Mike Maccagnan gave Geno Smith some help.

The Jets took Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith with the fifth pick in the second round Friday (No. 37 overall) to add a speed dimension that they desperately needed. Smith, who averaged 28.2 yards per catch for the national champions last year, will complement Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker and provide a home run threat for a team that had just eight touchdowns from wideouts last season.

“He can blow the top off a coverage, which is something they don’t have,” one scout told The News. “He tracks the ball better than all the wide receivers in the draft.”

Woody Johnson dropped a hint of the Jets’ plans earlier in the week when he admitted that Geno Smith will get more targets. The 6-1, 199-pound Devin Smith, a standout high jumper in college, too, had 931 yards and 12 touchdowns playing outside and in the slot last year.

“I’m versatile,” said Smith, who was invited to Chicago, but wasn’t selected in the first round Thursday. “You can move me in and move me out.”

Maccagnan traded down from No. 70 to No. 82 in the third round with the Texans before taking Louisville outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin. The rookie GM, who spent 14 years with the Texans, also picked up Houston’s fifth-rounder (No. 152), seventh-rounder (No. 229) and wide receiver DeVier Posey, who coincidentally mentored Devin Smith at Ohio State, in the deal.

WILLIAMS LOOKS TO FIT IN

Todd Bowles has an embarrassment of riches along the Jets defensive line that now includes versatile first-rounder Leonard Williams.

“I’m willing to play wherever they want me to play, because being versatile at USC, it allows me to fit in a lot of different spots,” Williams said Friday from the team facility. “I’d prefer to play defensive end, but also . . . in a lot of sub packages, I can move around and find spots to get to the quarterback.”

The 6-5, 300-pound Williams, who was selected with the No. 6 pick on Thursday night, has the makings to be a force against the run and pass, but there’s plenty of room for growth.

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“The biggest thing is working on my get-off,” Williams said. “Because working in a 3-4 (in college), playing in a read-type defense at USC, you kind of have to flip the switch . . . and change into attack mode instead of a read (and react).”

Williams grew up watching DeMarcus Ware before turning his sights on the league’s best defensive player these days.

“I’ve watched and studied a lot of different players,” Williams said. “I don’t try to compare myself to any specific player, but I’ve kind of watched J.J. Watt a lot. . . . I liked the way they use him — versatile all-around the D-line, and that’s the way they used me at USC.”

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Leonard Williams falls in Jets' lap at NFL draft, but Geno Smith is still their quarterback (Gary Myers) New York Daily News May 1, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/myers-jets-land-star-draft-don-qb-article-1.2206215

Mike Maccagnan has enjoyed a magical first four months as the Jets general manager, except for one small oversight. Geno Smith is still his quarterback.

The Jets never were sold enough on Marcus Mariota to make a play to move up and get him, and they had no shot at Jameis Winston with the Bucs locked in on him.

So with the painful realization that Smith is going to be the Jets quarterback again this season, Maccagnan has loaded up on defense and Thursday night with the sixth overall pick lucked into Southern Cal defensive lineman Leonard Williams, considered the best player in the draft.

The best way to compete in a passing league when you can't pass is to put together a suffocating defense with pass rushers and cover corners.

Maccagnan had the good fortune to inherit close to $50 million in cap room from John Idzik, the accountant disguised as the Jets GM for two years, and then made it very easy for Darrelle Revis to pass on a chance of winning another Super Bowl ring in New England with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick by giving him a five-year $70 million deal that included $39 million guaranteed. He then brought back Revis' sidekick Antonio Cromartie with a four-year $32 million deal.

That was easy. Cornerback problem solved.

Maccagnan's hot streak continued in the first round. He did try to move up. The target was Florida linebacker Dante Fowler, the best pass rusher. But after Winston went to the Bucs and the Titans rejected Chip Kelly's ridiculous offer to move up to No. 2 for Mariota before they selected him, the Jags took Fowler. The Raiders went for wide receiver Amari Cooper and Washington placed Williams right in the Jets' pocket with the first surprise of the draft when they took Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff.

The Jets can't play around the quarterback forever. At some point, Maccagnan is going to have to find a way to upgrade the position to an elite level. Unless they luck out Friday night in the second or third round and find another Russell Wilson or win the lottery and find Brady in the sixth round on Saturday, Jets fans are going to have to suffer through another year of Smith. Ryan Fitzpatrick, with his fourth team in four years, will be warming up in the bullpen.

"In this case, we took the best player available. It could have been an offensive guy," Jets rookie coach Todd Bowles said. "We weren't trying to compensate for the quarterback or not compensate for the quarterback. We were just trying to pick the highest player available. I think when you pick that high, you

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can't go for need and reach before a guy who is more athletic and a lot better than the guy that you are trying to reach for."

Did the Jets need Williams? The strength of the team is the defensive line with Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison. But picking for need just gets a team in trouble especially when the best player in the draft is still available. Besides, with Wilkerson and the Jets at a stalemate on a new contract, the possibility of a trade exists or perhaps this will be Wilkerson's last year with the Jets.

Assuming Wilkerson stays, the Jets will have the best young defensive line in the NFL. Bowles' base defense will continue to be a 3-4, but he's a creative defensive coach and will mix in a bunch of 4-3. Coaches find a way to get the best players on the field.

The Bears won the Super Bowl in 1985 with an intimidating defense. Nobody could block all those pass rushers. The Ravens won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer at quarterback, but they had a defense that was insulted any time it gave up even a field goal.

The Seahawks won the Super Bowl a year ago by holding Peyton Manning and the highest scoring offense to eight points.

Are the Jets at that level? Of course not. But they are going to get after the quarterback with their front line, which will limit how much Bowles has to resort to blitzing. He can put Revis on the best receiver and cut the field in half. He can try and make up for the sorry truth that he doesn't have an elite quarterback.

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Leonard Williams will play ‘wherever’ for Jets, Gang Green draft pick draws comparison to Reggie White (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News May 1, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/myers-jets-land-star-draft-don-qb-article-1.2206215

Leonard Williams might be the best player in the 2015 NFL draft, but he's certainly in no position to make any demands on a team that already includes some formidable defensive linemen. Todd Bowles has an embarrassment of riches along the Jets defensive front that now includes a versatile new piece.

"I'm willing to play wherever they want me to play, because being versatile at USC, it allows me to fit in a lot of different spots," Williams said Friday at the team facility. "I'd prefer to play defensive end, but also… in a lot of sub-packages, I can move around and find spots to get to the quarterback."

Mo Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison and Williams could be the most frightening defensive line in the league, but Bowles, who will undoubtedly bounce between three- and four-man fronts, will need time to figure out how to best utilize all of them.

The 6-5, 300-pound Williams, who was selected with the No. 6 pick on Thursday night, has all the tools to be a force against the run and the pass, but there's plenty of room for growth.

"The biggest thing is working on my get-off," Williams said. "Because working in a 3-4 (in college), playing in a read-type defense at USC, you kind of have to flip the switch. ... and change into attack mode instead of a read (and react)."

One scout likened Williams, who won't turn 21 until this summer, to Hall of Famer Reggie White. It's way too early to know if he'll ever reach that rarefied air, but the former USC defensive lineman has picked some quality players to study. He grew up watching DeMarcus Ware before turning his sights on the league's best defensive player now.

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"I've watched and studied a lot of different players," Williams said. "I don't try to compare myself to any specific player, but I've kind of watched J.J. Watt a lot. … I liked the way they use him-versatile all-around the D-line, and that's the way they used me at USC."

On draft night, Williams wondered aloud about getting his first career sack against Tom Brady. A day later, he was reminded that the Jets don't face the Patriots until Week 7.

"I definitely want a sack before then," he said.

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NEW YORK TIMES

A New Jet Once Wished He Were Smaller. Now Opponents Do. (Ben Shpigel) New York Times May 1, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/sports/football/jets-add-ohio-state-receiver-devin-smith-with-second-round-pick.html?ref=football

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — One of the seminal moments of Leonard Williams’s life occurred when he was 13.

It was the day he had been waiting for — signups for youth football. He lingered in a long line until it was his turn to weigh in. He stepped on the scale. It read 200 pounds — 20 over the maximum. He was barred from participating. He left the field, crying.

“I felt it kind of pushed me even harder to be the best that I could be when I could finally play,” Williams said.

When he could finally play, Williams dominated on the defensive line. In high school, at Mainland in Daytona Beach, Fla., he emerged as an elite national recruit. In college, at Southern California, he tormented offensive linemen, running backs and quarterbacks.

On Thursday night, after selecting Williams with the sixth pick in the draft, the Jets marveled at their good fortune. Three separate times, Mike Maccagnan, their general manager, said he was surprised that Williams was still available.

The five teams that passed on Williams had other priorities. The teams that never had the chance to draft him noticed that he had slipped. Doug Whaley, the Bills’ general manager, told reporters that they rated the 20yearold Williams, listed at 6 feet 5 inches and 300 pounds, as the best defensive football player, and perhaps the best player over all, in the draft.

“Wish he didn’t go to the Jets in the division,” Whaley said, “but it’s good for them.”

It is good for the Jets, whose stockpiling at the position furnishes them with yet another imposing option for their fearsome front but also flexibility in this salarycap era as they decide which of those superb defensive linemen to retain. And it is good for Williams, who said he was eager to learn from Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison.

“I feel like everybody can learn from each other,” Williams said.

Growing up, Williams learned from his mother, Aviva Russek, who raised him and his four siblings. She would tell him, “Whatever makes you happy, as long as it’s something good, you can do it.”

They did not have much money. They moved a lot: California, Michigan, Arizona, Florida. Bouncing around helped him meet friends easier — “A lot of people like me,” he said — even as he endured difficult circumstances at home.

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His father, Clenon Williams, battled drug addiction, abandoning the family for days at a time, and is now imprisoned in Florida, serving time for offenses, including robbery with a deadly weapon. Williams said he had a “great” relationship with his father.

“What kept me going was just my passion and love for football,” Williams said. “That’s really all I play the game for. It was never to go to the N.F.L. and get a paycheck or anything like that.”

Clenon loved the Cowboys, so Williams would watch along with him, devoting special attention to Dallas’s star defensive end, DeMarcus Ware, who now plays for Denver. Williams came to pattern his style more after the Texans’ J. J. Watt, whose versatility allows him to move around the line, creating mismatches.

Williams acknowledged that despite 21 sacks at Southern Cal, he was still raw as a pass rusher, a little slow off the snap, sometimes reading instead of reacting. But he is still an excellent tutor to his youngest brother, Andrew, who, at 9 years old, already weighs about 140 pounds, Williams said, and is bound to encounter the same resistance to playing football as he did.

“At the time, I thought it was a bad thing,” Williams said. “But I guess it was kind of a blessing in disguise.”

EXTRA POINTS

With their secondround pick, the Jets drafted receiver Devin Smith from Ohio State on Friday, continuing their overhaul of the N.F.L.’s worst passing offense. The Jets had added Brandon Marshall in a trade with Chicago to complement Eric Decker, but Smith’s arrival added an element of stretchthe field explosiveness that they were missing. It also fulfilled the owner Woody Johnson’s prediction this week that the team would surround Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick with more playmakers. Last season, Devin Smith, who is listed at 6foot1 and 199 pounds, averaged 28.2 yards on his 33 catches for the national champion Buckeyes, scoring 10 touchdowns. He finished his collegiate career with 121 receptions for 2,503 yards and 30 touchdowns, averaging 37.9 yards per score.

Infusing an aging position group with youth, the Jets concluded their second day of drafting by selecting defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin from Louisville.

The Jets addressed their pass rush off the edge with Maudlin, who likely projects as an outside linebacker in the N.F.L. Mauldin, who recorded 20 and a half sacks in four seasons, was a college teammate of safety Calvin Pryor. The Jets moved back 12 spots in the third round to select Mauldin at No. 82, swapping third-round picks with Houston and also acquiring a fifthrounder (No. 152), a seventhrounder (No. 229) and

6 of the New

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Jets Fans at NFL Draft Find Less to Boo About in Chicago (Ben Strauss) New York Times May 1, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/sports/football/jets-fans-at-nfl-draft-find-less-to-boo-about-in-chicago.html?ref=sports&_r=0

CHICAGO — The Jets’ checkered history with firstround draft picks is no secret. Neither is their fans’ frustration, which usually manifests in a flurry of boos inside the draft hall each spring.

So when Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the N.F.L., stepped to the lectern inside the Auditorium Theatre here on Thursday night to announce the Jets’ firstround pick, the sixth over all, Joe Piacente and Isaac Reichman were ready. Sitting in the thirdfloor balcony, the two Jets fans had ESPN cameras trained on them, and a pact between them.

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“If they didn’t pick Kevin White, we were going to boo,” Reichman said.

Instead of opting for White, a West Virginia wide receiver, the Jets’ new general manager, Mike Maccagnan, selected Southern California defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Piacente and Reichman, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., natives now living in Chicago, immediately jumped to their feet, waved a Jets flag and booed like any good Jets fan would. Then they stopped.

“I realized he might be the best player on the board, so we started cheering,” Piacente said.

Since ESPN first broadcast the N.F.L. draft in 1980, Jets fans have made jeering at the event an art form and a tradition. It began that year with Johnny Lam Jones, a wide receiver from Texas. Other notable — and roundly booed — selections over the years include fullback Roger Vick in 1987 and Penn State running back Blair Thomas, selected second in 1990 ahead of the Hall of Famers Cortez Kennedy, Junior Seau and Emmitt Smith.

But no blunder compared with the one in 1995, when Miami defensive lineman Warren Sapp was available to the Jets at No. 9. Jets fans, giddy with anticipation, chanted, “We want Sapp!” Then the Jets’ new coach and general manager, Rich Kotite, selected Kyle Brady, a tight tend from Penn State.

Brady spent four seasons in New York. Sapp, selected 12th by Tampa Bay, won a Super Bowl and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

When the draft moved 800 miles away, to Chicago, the question was whether Jets fans would take their ire on the road. The booing ritual continued, but with less fervor.

Much of the reason, fans said, had to do with the selection of Williams, a highly regarded prospect whom some analysts rated as the top player available in the draft. He will join a potentially imposing defense with Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

“I’m a Jets fan, so I hate everything, so of course I’m going to boo,” Reichman said before the draft. But by the end of the night, there was less doom and gloom.

“Their defense looks pretty good,” he said.

There was a handful of Jets fans in Chicago, both in the theater and outside at the sprawling complex known as Draft Town. Most were East Coast transplants, living in the city or elsewhere in the Midwest. There were certainly more Jets jerseys — Joe Namath, Laveranues Coles and Revis among them — than those representing the Giants, but surely not as many as when the draft was held at Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden or Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.

While their numbers were fewer in Chicago, the mood was lighter. Outside the theater, at the Jets tent in Draft Town, fans gathered to watch the announcement of the team’s pick. When Williams’s name was called, there were no boos at all, in fact — at least from Jets fans.

“A guy in a Patriots jersey booed at us,” Tyson Parde said. “I think they were trying to taunt us.”

As for any shouts inside the Auditorium Theatre, Parde said he thought they were meant for Goodell.

“How could you boo that pick?” he said.

Kate Youssouf, a Hoboken native who is a graduate student in Chicago, had another theory. “We’re so angry in New York and New Jersey about everything all the time,” she said. “The traffic on the George Washington Bridge is the worst. We’re so tense.”

Chicago, she said, was different.

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“We’re absorbing that Midwest energy,” Youssouf said. “It’s kind and welcoming here, and it’s rubbing off. Even on Jets fans.”

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METRO NEW YORK

NFL Scout: Leonard Williams fell because of needs (Kristian Dyer) Metro NY May 1, 2015

http://www.metro.us/kristian-dyer/nfl-scout-leonard-williams-fell-because-of-needs/zsJoeb---0DGWaOKeQNuo/

According to one NFL scout, the New York Jets got the best player in the NFL Draft on Thursday night and they did so without having to move up from their sixth pick in the first round.

Leonard Williams, the freakish athlete and arguably the best pass rusher in this draft, was seen by many outsiders and some insiders as the top player in the draft. It was a shock to most as Williams, an All-PAC 12 selection at USC, fall in the draft, from outside the top three where he was seen as a lock to all the way to sixth overall.

And even though the Jets have two star defensive ends in Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, what Williams brings to the table was just way too good to pass up.

“He fell because of needs. Oakland needed a receiver, they needed to give [quarterback] Derek Carr help, Jacksonville needed a pass rusher and they got that. Brandon Scherff is an interesting one, a damn fine player and the best tackle in the draft. He's a good fit for Washington,” the scout told Metro New York. The scout spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to publicly contact on personnel.

“I was shocked they took Williams but not shocked at the same time. That defensive line, that's a defensive coach, that's a dangerous combo. He's going to fit in perfectly out there. Great spot for him to land. He's not there because of his skills or concerns. Other teams went need. He was the best player available and I think, the best player in this draft.”

As for weaknesses to his game, there are some that were bantered about on Thursday night. He disappears at some points in games and doesn't lack the big size to bump inside in a 3-4 scheme. He also had a shoulder injury that affected him and he carries into the NFL.

“I definitely don't see him playing inside,” the scout said.

“I felt he lacked upper body strength. I think he's going to have a tough time shedding blockers at this level. He's going to have to get some power, it's not all lower body. The No. 1 issue is that strength, his chest strength. You saw that as an issue at times in college.

“That shoulder stuff is a little scary, we all knew about it and his injury. That is one of those things that stood out. It affected his bench press numbers at the combine.”

But the scout cautioned that the shoulder injury isn't a reason for Williams to drop that low. There are just too many things that stick out on tape to not fall in love with his potential. Especially with Wilkerson in his final year of his rookie contract, the Jets have a potential bookend to Richardson for the foreseeable future.

“You name, he's powerful at the point, first step. If Muhammad Wilkerson leaves, you won't be disappointed. He may have been the best player in the draft,” the scout said.

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“It's hard to compare him to anyone, he is his own man. He's so powerful in the torso, maybe not the chest but the torso. He's going to be a great player. The Jets got a real good one.”

FRIDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL American League CLEVELAND INDIANS — Placed LHP TJ House on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Tyler Holt from Columbus (IL). KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Places SS Alcides Escobar on the 7-day concussion DL, retroactive to Aptil 30. Recalled INF Orlando Calixte from Omaha (PCL). MINNESOTA TWINS — Placed RHP Tim Stauffer on the 15-day DL. Recalled RHP Ryan Pressly from Rochester (IL). Activated RHP Ricky Nolasco and RHP Brian Duensing from the 15-day DL. Sent RHP Tommy Milone and RHP Caleb Thielbar to Rochester (IL). SEATTLE MARINERS — Announced the retirement of OF/DH Carlos Quentin. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Optioned LHP Daniel Norris to Buffalo (IL). Selected the contract of LHP Andrew Albers from Buffalo. Transferred INF Maicer Izturis to the 60-day DL. National League NEW YORK METS — Recalled 2B Dilson Herrera from Las Vegas (PCL). Optioned LHP Jack Leathersich to Las Vegas. SAN DIEGO PADRES — Recalled RHP Nick Vincent from El Paso (PCL). Optioned RHP Cory Mazzoni to El Paso. American Association KANSAS CITY T-BONES — Signed RHP Aaron Baker. ST. PAUL SAINTS — Signed OF Shannon Wilkerson and LHP Kramer Sneed. Traded OF Willie Cabrera to York for a player to be named. Atlantic League LONG ISLAND DUCKS — Acquired the rights for OF Prentice Redman from Bridgeport for a player to be named. Can-Am League NEW JERSEY JACKALS — Signed INF Anthony Gomez. TROIS-RIVIERES AIGLES — Signed RHP Edilson Alvarez. Frontier League EVANSVILLE OTTERS — Signed C Adrian Bravo-Carmona, RHP Hunter Englehart and RHP Jordie Scheiner. FLORENCE FREEDOM — Signed LHP Chris Chigas. FRONTIER GREYS — Signed OF Connor Jones. NORMAL CORNBELTERS — Sold the contract of RHP Robert Stock to Pittsburgh (NL). BASKETBALL Women’s National Basketball Association CONNECTICUT SUN — Announced the retirement of G Katie Douglas. FOOTBALL National Football League ATLANTA FALCONS — Waived S Brandon Bishop, OL Reid Fragel, CB Jordan Mabin, LB-DE Jacques Smith and RB Ronnie Wingo. HOUSTON TEXANS — Signed S Stevie Brown. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Released KR-PR Josh Cribbs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Signed QB Jameis Winston to a four-year contract. Canadian Football League EDMONTON ESKIMOS — Released OL Adam Baboulas and DE Cameron Sheffield. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS — Extended the contract of QB Drew Willy through the 2017 season.

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HOCKEY National Hockey League BUFFALO SABRES — Fired Chadd Cassidy, Rochester (AHL) coach. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS — Agreed to terms with F Artemi Panarin on a two-year contract. DETROIT RED WINGS — Assigned D Alexey Marchenko to Grand Rapids (AHL). SOCCER MLS D.C. UNITED — Agreed to terms with G Bill Hamid to a multi-year contract extension. COLLEGE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE — Named Stacy Martin chief financial officer, effective May 18. BREVARD — Promoted women’s assistant lacrosse coach, Kristin Rosato, to women’s lacrosse coach. CALDWELL — Announced the resignation of men’s assistant basketball coach Ed Ryan to take a similar position at Pace. KANSAS STATE — Signed athletic director John Currie to a restructured contract that includes an extension through the 2020 academic year. LIBERTY — Named Ron Brown associate head coach and receivers coach. SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE — Promoted men’s assistant soccer coach, Josh Taylor, to men’s soccer coach. TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN — Announced F Dakota Slaughter will be a a fifth-year transfer from Alabama. WESTERN ILLINOIS — Announced the resignation of athletic director Tommy Bell, to take the same position at Southern Illinois. Named Matt Tanney interim athletic director.

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