How the Jets turned a miss on Jacob Rodriguez into a smarter outcome

How the Jets turned a miss on Jacob Rodriguez into a smarter outcome originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets entered Friday night's second round with a strategy for selection No. 44. Jacob Rodriguez, the linebacker from Texas Tech, was the player they aimed for at that position. Miami then entered at No. 43 and selected him.

In just a few minutes, the Jets moved back from 44 to 50 by trading with the Detroit Lions and acquired a fourth-round pick in the deal. They quickly utilized that second-round selection to draft Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds.

The trade sent pick No. 128 to the Jets.

Ponds was a key piece of Indiana's defense on a Hoosier team that finished 16-0 and won the national championship this past season. His instincts and competitive edge were cited consistently through the pre-draft process.

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Per the New York Jets' official site, he described his game as "aggressive, scrappy" and said he can operate inside or outside. NFL.com's draft analysis rated him a standout pick, comparing him to a small but highly instinctive defensive back with too many positives to fail.

And he already has a teammate waiting. The Jets selected Ponds' Indiana teammate, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., earlier in the draft by trading up with on Thursday night. In the span of 24 hours, went to the Hoosier well twice.