The Jets traded back not once, but twice in the fourth round before selecting West Virginia tight end Trevon Wesco with the 121st overall pick.
This selection, similarly to the Jets’ third-round pick Chuma Edoga, was all about Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell. Wesco is versatile enough to play in multiple blocking schemes – as a tight end, fullback or even an extra guard – and could replace Eric Tomlinson, who played almost exclusively as a blocking tight end for the Jets the past three seasons. Wesco will eventually be tasked with helping protect Darnold and open up running lanes for Bell.
Tight ends have become increasingly important in the passing game, but that’s not why the Jets drafted Wesco. During his redshirt season at West Virginia, Wesco only caught 26 passes for 366 yards and one touchdown. Prior to 2018, Wesco had a grand total of two receptions for seven yards and one touchdown.
Wesco’s size (6-foot-3, 267 pounds), strength and physicality make him a good candidate to crack into the Jets’ lineup down the road. He is big and powerful enough to push around defensive ends and linebackers at the line of scrimmage, but won’t make an impact otherwise. For now, though, he’ll likely be a special teams contributor and an occasional blocking tight end.
