ESM’s staff gives their full New York Jets mock drafts after the team’s eventful first week of free agency.
The New York Jets didn’t get the things they truly wanted in free agency…pricy gifts like Jack Conklin and Dante Fowler went elsewhere.
But the first weekend of free agency was a lot like, say, a pair of socks or school supplies in your stocking. It’s not exactly what you want, but it’s just what you need.
That’s what the Jets had in mind when they added three linemen from elsewhere, as well as re-upping with 2019 contributor Alex Lewis. For the first time in quite a while, the Jets have a plan for an offense built on the success of two explosive backfield weapons, Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell.
How did the movement affect our experts’ mock drafts?
Geoff Magliocchetti
1st Round (11th overall)-WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
2nd Round (48th overall)-G Shane Lemieux, Oregon
3rd Round (68th overall)-T Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
3rd Round (79th overall)-EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Florida
4th Round (120th overall)-S Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois
5th Round (158th overall)-WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
6th Round (191st overall)-RB Mike Warren, Cincinnati
6th Round (211th overall)-K Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia
With the additions of Connor McGovern, George Fant, and Greg Van Roten, the Jets opened up some flexibility up with the 11th overall pick. Thus, they added some protection for Darnold. Now, they need to get him weapons. With Robby Anderson’s situation still in limbo, the time is right to use such a pick on a receiver. Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy will probably be gone, but Lamb is certainly a desirable consolation prize.
Having said that, the Jets can’t fully turn away from the offensive line just yet, hence the additions of Lemieux and Cleveland. Thus, their third pick on day two can be used to fill yet another need, that of the pass rush in the form of Greenard, who would certainly be welcomed by fellow SEC alums Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Day three saw the Jets find unexpected help in the secondary last year (Bless Austin) and that trend could repeat itself in the form of FCS standout Chinn. The depth of the 2020 receiver class would also be on display with the fifth-round selection of Cephus. Things are capped off, as they were in the original mock, by the kicker selection Blankenship, to at least provided Brett Maher some competition in camp. Prior to that, the Jets would add a compliment to Bell, as both Bilal Powell and Ty Montgomery are up for free agency.
Dylan Price
1st Round (11th overall)-OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
2nd Round (48th overall)-CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
3rd Round (68th overall)-WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
3rd Round (79th overall)-EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Florida
4th Round (120th overall)-EDGE Kenny Wilekes, Michigan State
5th Round (158th overall)-RB Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State
6th Round (191st overall)-LB Justin Strnad, Wake Forest
6th Round (211th overall)-OL Gage Cervenka, Clemson
This draft would be a haul for the Jets. Thomas immediately bolsters the offensive line and becomes the anchor of the line for the future. Diggs is a corner with room to grow who’s thrived in man coverage which is what Gregg Williams likes. He could start right away alongside Desir and give Bless Austin a year to sit behind Desir before becoming the starter. Aiyuk is familiar with Darnold (they train together), and he’s a freak athlete. He’d be a great weapon for Sam and he was a great value in the third round.
In the fourth and fifth, I doubled dipped with talented edge rushers. Greenard and Wilekes would be great picks, both are talented on their own. As a duo, they could grow together and develop into a formidable duo. Evans would be a change of pace back with potential. Strnad is a value pick who could be a nice backup and special teams guy for the Jets. Cervenka is low-risk with good potential, likely at guard. He could compete for reps with Lewis.
Brendan Carpenter
1st Round (11th overall)-OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
2nd Round (48th overall)-WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
3rd Round (68th overall)-EDGE Bradlee Anae, Utah
3rd Round (79th overall)-CB Troy Pride Jr., Notre Dame
4th Round (120th overall)-WR Collin Johnson, Texas
5th Round (158th overall)-EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Florida
6th Round (191st overall)-LB Mohammad Barry, Nebraska
6th Round (211th overall)-K Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia
The Jets have certainly addressed the offensive line with their free agent signings, but could still look for another starting-caliber tackle. At six-foot-five and 315 pounds, Thomas is capable of playing both right and left tackle. He would most likely slide into the right tackle spot with recently signed George Fant at left tackle. There are some options for a flashier pick here, but Thomas is the safe pick.
Wide receiver is a position of need and the Jets could add a weapon or two. Reagor’s ability to track the ball in the air and move downfield would be an instant boost for Sam Darnold. Though he dealt with injuries, Johnson’s size (6’6, 222 lbs.) on the outside is a must. Defensively, the Jets would look to bring in new pass rushers, especially with the pick obtained in the Leonard Williams deal. Anae’s speed and athleticism aren’t premier, but he knows how to get to the quarterback, while Greenard could be a plug-and-play piece for the Jets in the short-term and a nice rotation guy in the long-run, if nothing else.
Sebastian Vela
1st Round (11th overall)-OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
2nd Round (48th overall)-CB AJ Terrell, Clemson
3rd Round (68th overall)-WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC
3rd Round (79th overall)-EDGE Bradlee Anae, Utah
4th Round (120th overall)-RB Anthony McFarland, Maryland
5th Round (158th overall)-OL Yasir Durant, Missouri
6th Round (191st overall)-CB Lamar Jackson, Nebraska
6th Round (211th overall)-OT Trey Adams, Washington
The 11th pick should be simple for the Jets. Andrew Thomas has dominated the SEC for the past three years and was essential in Jake Fromm’s success at Georgia. Thomas has an extremely high floor and is arguably the most NFL ready tackle in the draft. If he falls to 11 the Jets should be sprinting towards the podium with their card ready.
Terrell would be a terrific fit for the Jets as he is a big lanky corner that excels in man coverage and press coverage which is essential in a Gregg Williams defense, while Anae would immediately provide the Jets with a much-needed pass-rushing presence on the edge. On offense,t he Jets desperately need wide receivers and who better to get than Sam Darnold’s old buddy from USC? McFarland is a quick and twitchy running back that has good hands and a knack for homerun plays. Durant is a developmental lineman with a lot of potential he’d be worth the risk in the fifth round, while Adams could be the same if he’s able to stay healthy.