With the NFL Draft approaching let’s take a look at the New York Jets. Here is our full seven round mock draft for the New York Jets
Round 1: Josh Allen: QB Wyoming
At three the Jets hope they find their franchise quarterback in Josh Allen.
The Jets paid a hefty price to move up to the third pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. In my mock draft I have the Cleveland Browns picking Sam Darnold with the first pick and the Denver Broncos selecting Josh Rosen with the second after trading up with the New York Giants.
Physically, There may not be a more intriguing prospect than Allen who displayed his big arm at the Wyoming pro day and has the size and mobility reminiscent of a young Big Ben. The big drawback for Allen was a completion percentage of under 60% but he did show better accuracy in the Wyoming bowl game and in workouts.
Allen would be in an ideal situation with the Jets where he wouldn’t have to play right away and develop behind Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. Another big plus for Allen is that he is coming out of the same pro style in college that Carson Wentz had which could make the transition to the pros easier.
Allen has the highest ceiling of all the quarterback prospects. However, he will need to work on his accuracy but the good news is the Jets can develop next season while McCown or Bridgewater starts until Allen is ready.
Round 3: Josh Sweat: Edge: Florida State
The Jets need to add pass rushers on the edge.
Josh Sweat could fall in the draft because of past knee issues. If his knee checks out, the Jets should look to draft Sweat who is a speed rusher off the edge that they desperately need. With 5.5 sacks last season, if healthy Sweat has the speed to be an edge rusher and while he could use some work on his technique, has the physical traits you look for in a rush outside linebacker.
Even if he cannot be an every down linebacker, Sweat would be valuable in pass rushing situations especially with New York no longer having Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson on the defensive line. The Jets don’t have a true speed rusher off the edge and could be a compliment with Darron Lee giving the Jets two speed linebackers that could drive offensive coordinators crazy.
Even if he is only on the field in passing situations, Sweat could be the pass rushing specialist off the edge that New York has been looking for.
Round 4: Shaquem Griffin: LB: UCF
Griffin is one of the most inspiring stories in this year’s draft, but the truth is he can play.
Shaquem Griffin was the feel good story of the NFL combine. Despite only having one hand, he lost his left hand due to a prenatal condition, he impressed with a 4.38 forty yard dash and 20 bench reps. Griffin can play inside and outside linebacker and was a playmaker with UCF 74 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2017.
Griffin would be a versatile roll player in the Jets defense that could line up both inside and outside. Don’t forget the team has had issues with former first round pick Darron Lee, who was suspended for a game after missing a team meeting last season. Griffin would give the linebacking core some much-needed depth and with his speed would be a valuable member of the special teams. A pick that adds depth, versatility, and speed to the defense. It makes too much sense for the Jets to draft Griffin.
Round 5: Dalton Schultz: TE: Stanford
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 28: Dalton Schultz #9 of the Stanford Cardinal makes a reception during their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Stanford Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
With the Jets unable to sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins they have a big hole at tight end. While the front office is high on Jordan Leggett, it wouldn’t hurt to have another tight end in the fold.
Schultz was limited in school with catches and despite not being a blocking tight end, is no slouch when it comes to the running game. The lack of passing numbers is without question a result of Stanford’s dominating run game last season. However, the skillset and athleticism bode well for Schultz to be a productive tight end at the next level.
Stanford head coach David Shaw, who is one of the most respected coaches in college football has gone on the record to say that Schultz was the most complete tight end the program has ever had. A well-rounded tight end that could compete for the starting role in the fourth round makes too much sense for the Jets to pass up here.
Round 6: Amari Coleman: CB: Central Michigan
With Buster Skrine’s large cap number for a slot corner, the Jets could look to bolster the secondary in the later rounds
The Jets made a splash in free agency signing Trumaine Johnson and bring back Morris Claiborne as the team’s starting cornerbacks. While the Jets have a few corners on the depth chart, the could still use some depth which would also allow them to cut Buster Skrine and his large cap fit.
The Jets have already had Coleman for a workout and at 5’10 and 190 pounds, he has the skill set to be a slot corner in the NFL. The Jets have been known to look at small schools in the late rounds and could add depth with Coleman at corner and on special teams. He has the ability to make plays on the ball, eight picks in his collegiate career, but more importantly can make plays with the ball returning three of those picks for touchdowns.
With his ability to make plays the Jets could be looking at turning Coleman into a returner as well. The Jets did invest two picks in last year’s draft at corner, but in today’s NFL you can never have enough productive corners and Coleman could be a nice late round addition for next season.
Round 7: Bilal Nichols: DE/DT: Delaware
What was once the Jets strength, now needs help.
How things have changed so quickly. Last year during the draft the Jets strongest and deepest unit was its defensive line. Twelve months later, the Jets have moved on from Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad WIlkerson and what was once their strength has now become a big question mark for the defensive unit. The Jets could add a veteran or two for depth before the start of the season, but experts have noted the Jets have strong interest in the draft specifically in Delaware’s Bilal Nichols.
At 6’4 and 306 pounds, Nichols has the size to play a 3-4 end or inside at defensive tackle. At Delaware he flashed the ability to get after the quarterback with 5.5 sacks, four passes deflected, and a blocked kick. At the very least Nichols gives the Jets depth at both the end and defensive tackle position. This unit lacks depth and will need to add some in the draft. Finding an athletic 306 pounder in the seventh round is a good flier for the Jets to take. Even he doesn’t become a starter, Nichols at the very least would be a backup to a unit that is lacking bodies.
Last year Mike Maccagnan went with the philosophy of taking the best player available when he selected Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick. In 2016 look for the Jets to follow that same philosophy as they select the best running back in the draft class. Elliott has proven he can be an every down workhorse with back to back 1800 plus yard seasons including 23 this past season for the Buckeyes. Given the devaluation of the running back position, Eliott falls to the Jets at 20 and gives the Jets a workhorse and potential star at running back. Given that the Jets have three unrestricted free agents at the position, and Pro Bowler Chris Ivory in line for a major pay day Elliot not only gives the Jets a talented first rounder, but fills a crucial need.
many different avenues the organization can explore. The first, and most likely is to keep him as their quarterback because of the lack of enticing options in the upcoming draft and more importantly the franchise has brought in Chip Kelly. Kelly’s option offense and use of a mobile quarterback seem like too much of a perfect fit in his system and I personally feel that one of the reasons Kelly wanted to be in San Francisco was to insert Kapernick into his offense.
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