The New York Jets have struggled during the regular season for many years. They wind up with high draft picks and for some reason these selections don’t turn into the franchise players they hoped. The Jets have had multiple first-round picks multiple times since 2000. There have been some wonderful players for Gang Green and others their fans woud rather forget.
A look at the Jets’ first-round picks and how they fared since 2000 as the AFC East team has the second overall pick in Thursday’s NFL draft.
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2000
New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis (92) and New York Jets linebacker Bryan Thomas (58) put pressure on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
Player: Shaun Ellis
Pick: 12
Position: DE
Grade: B
Player: John Abraham
Pick: 13
Position: LB
Grade:
Player: Chad Pennington
Pick: 18
Position: QB
Grade: C
Player: Anthony Becht
Pick: 27
Position: TE
Grade: B-
2001
New York Jets receiver Santana Moss in action against the Buffalo Bills at Giants Stadium.
Player: Santana Moss
Pick: 16
Position: WR
Grade: B
2002
New York Jets Bryan Thomas rushes after the Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton.
Player: Bryan Thomas
Pick: 22
Position: DE
Grade: C+
2003
New York Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson falls on a fumble as defensive end (99) Bryan Thomas and defensive end (67) Kimo Von Oelhoffen tackle Green Bay Packers quarterback (4) Brett Favre.
Player: DeWayne Robertson
Pick: 4
Position: DE
Grade: C-
2004
New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma reacts to being called for a penalty.
Player: Jonathan Vilma
Pick: 12
Position: LB
Grade: B-
2005
No pick
2006
New York Jets Tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson (L) and center Nick Mangold take a break.
Player: D’Brickashaw Ferguson
Pick: 4
Position: OT
Grade: B
Player: Nick Mangold
Pick: 29
Position: C
Grade: A+
2007
The bust of New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs former cornerback Darrelle Revis during the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement.
Player: Darrelle Revis
Pick: 14
Position: CB
Grade: A+
2008
New York Jets linebacker Vernon Gholston chases Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton.
Player: Vernon Gholston
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Pick: 6
Position: DE
Grade: D
Player: Dustin Keller
Pick: 30
Position: TE
Grade: B-
2009
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez fumbles the snap.
Player: Mark Sanchez
Pick: 5
Position: QB
Grade: C+
2010
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and New York Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson (20) during warmups before a game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.
Player: Kyle Wilson
Pick: 29
Position: CB
Grade: D
2011
New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson walks off the field to cheering fans.
Player: Muhammad Wilkerson
Pick: 30
Position: DL
Grade: B
2012
New York Jets linebacker Quinton Coples against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Player: Quinton Coples
Pick: 16
Position: DE
Grade: D
2013
New York Giants wide receiver Tavarres King catches a touchdown pass in front of New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner.
Player: Dee Milliner
Pick: 9
Position: CB
Grade: F
Player: Sheldon Richardson
Pick: 13
Position: DT
Grade: B
2014
New York Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor (25) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
Player: Calvin Pryor
Pick: 18
Position: S
Grade: F
2015
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams celebrates.
Player: Leonard Williams
Pick: 6
Position: DT
Grade: A
2016
New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee.
Player: Darron Lee
Pick: 20
Position: LB
Grade: D
2017
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after sacking Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.
Player: Jamal Adams
Pick: 6
Position: S
Grade: A
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2018
Sam Darnold after the New York Jets defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 24-22, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in East Rutherford.
Player: Sam Darnold
Pick: 3
Position: QB
Grade: C-
2019
New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
Player: Quinnen Williams
Pick: 3
Position: DT
Grade: B+
2020
New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton enters the field before the game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium.
Player: Mekhi Becton
Pick: 11
Position: OT
Grade: D
2021
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson watches from the sideline after being pulled from the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Player: Zach Wilson
Pick: 2
Position: QB
Grade: F
Player: Alijah Vera-Tucker
Pick: 14
Position: G
Grade: C-
2022
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) scores a 3rd quarter touchdown in front of New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Player: Sauce Gardner
Pick: 4
Position: CB
Grade: A
Player: Garrett Wilson
Pick: 10
Position: WR
Grade: A
Player: Jermaine Johnson
Pick: 26
Position: DE
Grade: B
2023
New York Jets defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (91) and New York Jets defensive end Will McDonald IV (9) celebrate a sack.
Player: Will McDonald IV
Pick: 15
Position: DE
Grade: C
2024
Penn State Nittany Lions tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu is selected as the No. 11 pick of the first round by the New York Jets.
Player: Olumuyiwa Fashanu
Pick: 11
Position: OT
Grade: B
2025
New York Jets offensive tackle Armand Membou participates in a drill during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
Player: Armand Membou
Pick: 7
Position: OT
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Jets’ NFL draft picks since 2000 reviewed