Round 1, Pick 11: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Grade: A
Mekhi Becton is a freak athlete at his position. The offensive line was a big need for this team as they need to protect both their prized possessions, Le’Veon Bell and Sam Darnold. His strength alone will make him a great run blocker, but he is still a very raw pass protector. He relies more on his strength than finesse, which will be his downfall against better pass rushers, but his upside is being one of the best offensive linemen in the league and that was too good to pass up on.
Round 2, Pick 59: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Grade: A-
Imagine trading 11 picks back, and still getting a player that was projected in the 1st round, this player having just as much upside as all the other receivers selected ahead of him. In comes Denzel Mims. The Jets desperately needed a wide receiver after Robby Anderson left, as they do not have a true number #1. Mims could turn into that player.
He ran 4.38 40 yard dash and is a big receiver with a large catch radius. He will win a majority of 50-50 balls thrown his way. There have been concerns about drops and his route tree, but these issues can be fixed. He has the raw talent to be one of the best receivers from this draft class.
Round 3, Pick 68: Ashtyn Davis, S, California
Grade: C+
I believe that the Jets had bigger needs and this pick just added depth at a position, which isn’t bad by any means. Davis is a versatile player who can play safety or cornerback position. He has the size and speed to be plugged in at outside corner from Day 1 if needed, but if an injury occurs to either Marcus Maye or Jamal Adams, he could move back to safety as well. However, he does need to clean up his play as he is sometimes over-aggressive. I see him being a solid rotational cornerback or safety.
Round 3, Pick 79: Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida
Grade: C
The Jets desperately needed pass rushers as well, especially after the loss of Leonard William. However, Zuniga is viewed as more of a project than an immediate impact player. He has the athletic ability, as he scored the highest athleticism score out of all edge rushers at the combine. However, the production was never there at Florida, leaving a lot of questions unanswered. He can be a solid rotational edge rusher this upcoming season.
Round 4 Pick 120: Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
Grade: B-
Gase never really loved the Bell signing, so the Perine pick could be viewed as a pick for the future. However, he will have some immediate impact in the passing game. He is a bruiser back that runs physically and fights for every yard. Overall, he’s a well-rounded back and can be great in the future when given the chance.
Round 4, Pick 125: James Morgan, QB, Florida International
Grade: D+
This pick is very puzzling to me. Why not sign either Cam Newton or Jameis Winston or even a veteran to a cheap deal to back up Darnold. Yes, a backup quarterback is important, but there were bigger needs here. Morgan does possess the size and arm strength to be a competent backup but needs to improve on his decision making.
Round 4, Pick 129: Cam Clark, OT, Charlotte
Grade: B
Clark is listed as a tackle but has the versatility and size to play guard as well. Clark has great technique, and if he can learn how to play guard, he can be a serviceable backup at either position to a Jets line that struggled dearly in 2019.
Round 5, Pick 158: Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Grade: A
Late-round steal. Hall did suffer a serious ankle injury in 2019, which could’ve played a role in his fall, but he possess all the physical attributes to be a #1cornerback. He is great in zone, he can play solid run defense, and has great ball skills, but struggles in man as he doesn’t have the long speed.
Round 6, Pick 191: Braden Mann, P, Texas A&M
Grade: A-
Punters are people too. Mann won the Ray Guy award for the best punter in the NCAA in 2018. That year, he averaged over 50 yards a punt and the Jets were in desperate need of an upgrade.
