New York Jets take DT Jonathan Marshall with final scheduled choice

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: General view as the New York Jets wait to select during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The New York Jets’ 2021 draft ledger is complete for the time being through the selection of the former Razorback.

The New York Jets completed their scheduled NFL Draft proceedings by taking Arkansas defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall with the 207th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Marshall started only a single year in Fayetteville but impressed on his pro day with 36 reps on the bench with a 4.77-second time on the 40-yard dash. He earned 71 tackles in his career, 11.5 for a loss. Last year was his breakthrough campaign, picking up 35 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.

“I’ve talked to several different guys about him. He’s played his way into a draftable player, I believe, and you’re not going to get a whole lot better kid than him if you take him on your football team,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said of Marshall per Otis Kirk of Pig Trail Nation So absolutely. He’s had a really good year and I’m proud for him and I believe he will get looks in the NFL.”

Marshall had problems with pressure but displayed strong power that helped him invade backfields. He also displayed leadership skills, a common theme amongst the Jets’ 2021 draft picks, as he served as the Razorbacks’ defensive captain. Arkansas would also ran the 4-3 defense as part of their base, and Marshall’s experience could help Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich implement the system faster.

Like fellow Jets draft picks Brandin Echols and Hamsah Nasirildeen, he is another multi-sport athlete, also playing basketball at Shepherd High School in Texas.

Marshall’s drafting concludes a streak of six consecutive defenders to end the Jets’ draft proceedings. They haven’t held a seventh round pick since 2016.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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