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Jets mailbag: Michael Pittman Jr. may be draft fit for Joe Douglas

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s debut installment: the Jets. Assuming the Jets pick an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL draft, who …

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s debut installment: the Jets.

Assuming the Jets pick an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL draft, who are some wide receivers to consider in the second round? — Dean Bekridakis

As you have probably heard by now, this is a deep draft for wide receivers, which is good news for the Jets because they still need help at the position even after adding Breshad Perriman in free agency.

The scenario you lay out still seems likely with the Jets taking a tackle in the first round and then looking at receivers on Day 2. There could be six receivers taken in the first round, so it is a little tough to project, but here are some names to keep an eye on: Baylor’s Denzel Mims, Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool, USC’s Michael Pittman Jr., Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk and Colorado’s Laviska Shenault Jr.

Pittman would be a cool story because he would be reunited with Sam Darnold after playing with him at USC.

For those who like Jets draft history, taking a wide receiver in the second round has rarely worked out for them. You have to go back to Wesley Walker in 1977 to find one who played well for the Jets. Since then, they have taken the following in Round 2: Ralph Clayton, Reggie Rembert, Ryan Yarborough, Alex Van Dyke, Stephen Hill and Devin Smith. Yikes.

Michael Pittman Jr.Getty Images

If push comes to shove and Joe Douglas and Adam Gase disagree on a player (draft, free agent, cut, etc.), who really has the final say and how do you see their partnership looking moving forward? — George M Deakin

Joe Douglas has final say over the roster. Adam Gase has final say over the depth chart. That is the way duties are divided up with the Jets. So if there is a major disagreement on a player acquisition, Douglas gets the final say. With that being said, these two are working closely together, and I don’t think Douglas is going to pursue any players that Gase is adamantly opposed to bringing in.

This is the best relationship the Jets have had between GM and coach since 2012, when Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum were last together. I think their partnership is a good one.

If the top four tackles [Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, Andrew Thomas] are off the board, where do the Jets go and would they pursue a trade down? — Jesse

Is it possible the Jets trade down in the first round if the top O linemen are off the board? — Tony D.

If three offensive tackles are already off the board by the time the Jets pick at 11, will they take a wide receiver or the fourth tackle? — Michael Flaherty

Trading down is always something that sounds easier than it actually is. The cost to get to No. 11 will still be steep and this is not a quarterback-heavy draft, so I don’t think teams will be trying to climb up. You never know, but I think it is much more likely the Jets stay put at 11.

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If all four tackles are gone and they are at 11, the choice to me comes down to wide receiver, cornerback and edge-rusher. Florida’s C.J. Henderson is considered the No. 2 corner in this class and should be available. This might be a reach to take LSU edge-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson here. Douglas could grab a receiver here, and Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs are all options.

We need to address the backup quarterback. Who is the best one out there, Matt Moore? — Ben Zimei

You are correct. Backup quarterback remains a major hole on the roster. Joe Flacco is the most intriguing name to me. Douglas was the Ravens scout who pushed Ozzie Newsome to draft Flacco in 2008. Could there be a reunion? Flacco needs to get a clean bill of health first after injuring his neck last year.

Moore was with Gase in Miami, so there is familiarity there. They also could decide to bring back Trevor Siemian, who got injured in his first game with the Jets last year.

Even with all these free-agent OL signings, did our OL really get better? Who are these guys? Not once have I read that we acquired a slam-dunk player. — Jeff

This is a great question. Douglas did not sign household names. He shopped in the bargain bin of free agency hoping to find some undervalued players. We won’t know for sure until we see them on the field. Douglas is trusting his personnel staff that these guys can play. Going the big-name route did not work for the Jets last year with Kelechi Osemele and Ryan Kalil. Maybe this way will work.

One issue for this new-look offensive line could be chemistry. If the spring program and OTAs are wiped out due to coronavirus, the linemen are going to have less time to grow accustomed to each other before the season starts. That could be a major issue.

I am happy the Jets re-signed Brian Poole, but why did they sign him for only one year and why did he sign for only $5M? He was very solid last year. — George Scott

Pretty simple: They didn’t have to. The market dictates things like this. Clearly, Poole is not viewed as a player who you need to get on a long-term deal or he would have gotten one from the Jets or someone else. You are right about Poole. He did a solid job last year. I thought this was a great contract for the Jets.

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