We are just days away from the draft, which means one final round of mock drafts.
Here is how I’d draft for the Jets if I were qualified enough to be a general manager:
Round 1, Pick 2: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Wilson to New York is a done deal. The draft begins with San Francisco at the 3rd pick.
Round 1, Pick 14 (via MIN): IOL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
In order to secure arguably the best interior offensive lineman in the draft, I decided to move up from the 23rd overall pick. I traded picks 23, 66, and a 2022 fourth-rounder for Minnesota’s 14th overall selection to land Vera-Tucker, immediately bolstering Gang Green’s guard room and providing protection for Zach Wilson.
Round 2, Pick 55 (via PIT): CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse
Following the deal to move up for Vera-Tucker, I decided to move back from the 34th overall pick and acquire more picks, landing Pittsburgh’s 55th, 87th, and 2022 sixth-round picks. I liked the pool of corners available in this range and ultimately landed Melifonwu–the lengthy zone corner from Syracuse–who will fit right into the new corner-friendly defense.
Round 3, Pick 86: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
Receiver isn’t a glaring need, especially after the additions of Corey Davis and Keelan Cole to a room with an ascending Denzel Mims and a top-tier slot guy in Jamison Crowder, but Gang Green shouldn’t shy away from putting more weapons around their rookie quarterback. There is simply no such thing as too many weapons for a rookie signal-caller. I decided to hold off drafting a receiver until someone with great value dropped – and I got just that in St. Brown at pick 86.
Round 3, Pick 87 (via PIT): EDGE Jordan Smith, UAB
The Jets seemingly don’t have a set starter opposite Carl Lawson, but instead a rotation of edge rushers; something Robert Saleh has demonstrated to be a strength in his time in San Francisco. With this pick, Gang Green hopes to develop Smith in the system and help him reach his highest potential, making the defensive line room even scarier.
Round 4, Pick 107: S/LB Jacoby Stevens, LSU
The expectation is that Blake Cashman is the current weak-side (WILL) linebacker, but the Jets should look to add another member with new traits to the group. The team’s decision to pursue Keanu Neal gives the impression that they are interested in off-ball coverage linebackers. Stevens, a hybrid safety/linebacker, helps strengthen the linebacker room of a team in arguably the strongest division in football tight-end-wise.
Round 5, Pick 146: FB Ben Mason, Michigan
Mason is a pick that I, along with Jets fans, simply want to see; A fullback bringing back old, smash-mouth football. New York has been linked to Mason, and the fact that the 49ers’ offense so heavily used Kyle Juszczyk, makes this a perfect match.
Round 5, Pick 160 (via ARI): TE Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss
If the Jets trust Chris Herndon to get back on track in his development, then so be it; but they shouldn’t refrain from adding more talent around Zach Wilson, even as depth. Taking a swing on Yeboah in a system that benefits athletic tight ends is one that I needed to take. I personally value Yeboah higher than others, so I also consider this a “best player available” pick.
Round 6, Pick 186: OT/IOL Carson Green, Texas A&M
Green is a versatile, developmental depth lineman who would hope to grow in a room around youth and competition. This is simply a sixth-round swing on a player whose traits fit the scheme.
Round 6, Pick 223 (via ARI): K Jose Borregales, Miami
Chase McLaughlin and Sam Ficken currently headline New York’s kicker group. As rumored earlier in the offseason that they were quietly looking at kickers, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Jets target either Borregales or Florida’s Evan McPherson in the late rounds of the draft.
Round 6, Pick 226: RB Kene Nwangwu, Iowa State
Gang Green will likely look to add another member to the running back committee in this year’s draft, and they get just that along with a potential return man in Nwangwu. Another speed threat for the offense.
Trades
NYJ trade: R1.23, R3.66, 2022 R4
MIN trade: R1.14
NYJ trade: R2.34
PIT trade: R2.55, R3.87, 2022 R6
NYJ trade: R5.154
ARI trade: R5.160, R6.223