The New York Jets have had problems in the NFL Draft for decades, most notably the Mark Gastineau “curse.” The AFC East franchise has failed to select a Pro Bowler in the second round or later since they picked the defensive end 41st in 1979.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jets will have a chance to fortify their offensive line and protect rising junior quarterback Sam Darnold, or perhaps add a young receiver to the young gunslinger out wide with the No. 11 pick. Further, New York has a second-round pick again after the Indianapolis Colts deal to move up and take Darnold forfeited the last two year's second-round picks and they own a pair of third-round picks to cover the first few rounds.

Nevertheless, despite being the subject of the derisive “Obviously the Jets know something that the people up here don't,” that pops up every year around the draft, New York does have a history of selecting top talent—it just hasn't always yielded championships.

Some of the best draft picks in Jets history include members of the “New York Sack Exchange,” arguably the team's best ever receiver, and a Super Bowl winning quarterback (like that one is very difficult to guess).

5. Al Toon

Al Toon doesn't own all of the franchise records, but he's probably the best receiver the Jets ever drafted. Toon, 56, was selected by New York with the 10th overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin, on his way to a career that include three Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro First Team distinction.

Toon led the league in receptions during the 1988 season and retired in 1992 after suffering multiple concussions over his career. He retired as the third leading receiver by yards (later surpassed by Wayne Chrebet) and tied for seventh in receiving touchdowns. Toon was one of the most dynamic receiving treats in Jets history.

4. Nick Mangold

Nick Mangold was a fixture for the Jets' offensive line for a solid decade, replacing now–Hall of Fame center Kevin Mawae and right away picking up where the longtime center left off. Mawae started in 118 games for the Jets in 1998-2005, after which Mangold, a first-round selection by the Jets in 2006, would shatter, starting in 164 regular-season games for New York in his 11-year NFL career.

Mangold's injury during the 2016 season snapped his streak and made everyone pause and reflect on how long the Ohio State product had contributed to the Jets' offensive line for over a decade. A seven-time Pro-Bowler, Mangold officially retired in April 2018 and is well on his way to the Jet's Ring of Honor and possibly a Hall of Fame invitation. Regardless, the Jets couldn't have picked better than Mangold to immediately succeed Mawae.

3. Mo Lewis

One of the longest-tenured members of the Jets, Lewis spent his entire 13-year NFL tenure in New York, becoming a formidable linebacker for Gang Green's defense in the 1990's.

Lewis was selected in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft by New York out of Georgia, eventually earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections at the end of the decade. Lewis also finished his career as the second-leading sacker in franchise history (only bested by the next man) and has since moved down two spots. Lewis forced the most fumbles (26) in Jets history and is tied with teammate Otis Smith for second-most touchdowns scored by way of interceptions.

2. Mark Gastineau

Mark Gastineau turned from a JuCo transfer in college into a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end and three-time All-Pro First Team selection, leading the NFL in sacks in back-to-back years with the Jets in 1983-84. Gastineau was a dangerous threat to opposing offensive linemen standing in his way of his target, the quarterback.

Gastineau spent 10 seasons with the Jets—the entirety of his NFL tenure—before suddenly retiring during the 1988 season. He still owns the team's sack record with 74 total takedowns, a record that doesn't appear to be in jeopardy any time soon after New York released defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson in 2018 and traded DE Leonard Williams to the New York Giants last year.

1. Joe Namath

It's difficult to pick a different name than someone so associated with the Jets as Broadway Joe. Namath, now 76 and still a fan of the club, was technically selected by New York prior to the NFL-AFL merger, and Gang Green took the Alabama product with the first overall pick in the 1965 AFL Draft (he was also selected 12th overall in the NFL draft in the same year by the Arizona predecessor St. Louis Cardinals before agreeing sign with New York).

Namath, of course led the Jets to their one and only Super Bowl bid, then called the AFL-NFL Championship Game, taking down the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in the third big game in Jan. 1969. While Namath, since that unforgettable moment, wound up having a polarizing career capped off with an invitation to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, he spent a dozen years as the Jets' quarterback, leaving after the 1976 season, and still holding the franchise's records for passing yards, touchdowns, wins (and losses), and interceptions.

Namath is the face of the Jets—for better or worse.