With the 2019 NFL draft a little over two weeks away, Draft Wire has finally released a seven-round mock draft.
In the first round, Luke Easterling has the Jets finally solving their pass-rushing issue by taking the best available pass-rusher on the board. From there Easterling has the Jets filling out their roster with multiple needs despite not owning a second-round pick.
Let’s take a look and see who Easterling matched with the Jets in his seven-round mock draft.
First Round: EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky
Josh Allen is the Jets’ choice here after Kyler Murray and Nick Bosa were selected with the first two picks.
New York will have the option to trade down or select either Allen or Quinnen Williams. Opting for Allen fills a more pressing need.
Allen is as formidable of a pass-rusher as the Jets are going to get in this year’s draft with Bosa already off the board. His motor, explosiveness and impressive statistics at an SEC school speak volumes.
Third Round: OT Greg Little, Ole Miss
With the Jets’ first pick on Day 2, they select a developmental franchise cornerstone.
Greg Little possess the important combination of size, length and quickness as a prototypical left tackle. Standing at 6-foot-5, Little is all you could want in a prospect, but since being viewed as a consensus first-round pick, he’s fallen down draft boards. His effort has been questioned and testing hasn’t done him any justice.
Little is one of the biggest boom or bust prospects in the draft. The Jets can certainly afford to take this risk and have him compete with Kelvin Beachum for the left tackle position.
Third Round (via NO): CB Michael Jackson, Miami (FL)
To complete the Teddy Bridgewater trade, Easterling has the Jets reaching high for a need with their selection of Michael Jackson.
Cornerback is a position of need for the Jets. Right now, New York is rolling the dice with Darryl Roberts as its No. 2 option.
Jackson is a big cover corner with elite ball skills. He relies a lot on his strength to get by and while his tracking ability is ideal, his coverage skills leave a lot to be desired.
Jackson can benefit from a move to safety, which means the Jets might want to hone in on a true cover corner.
Fourth Round: WR Emmanuel Hall, Missouri
The Jets add an additional weapon to Sam Darnold’s arsenal by taking Emmanuel Hall with their first pick on Day 3.
Hall was a one-trick pony at Missouri, his specialty being the go-route. Hall has an excellent combination of size and speed, standing at 6-foot-2 and running a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
At the next level, Hall’s route-running is going to need development and he has consistency issues with his hands and ball skills.
Because of his speed, Hall might have a bright future at the next level. However, the Jets may want a more polished wide receiver with this class being deep at the position.
Sixth Round (via OAK/CHI): OL B.J. Autry, Jacksonville State
The Jets continue the trend of bulking up their trenches by taking B.J. Autry out of Jacksonville State.
Autry provides depth to the Jets at guard after losing Dakota Dozier to Minnesota. He impressed at Senior Bowl practices and is pretty nimble and athletic for his size.
The problems he runs into is his instincts are just not good enough right now to be a top-end guy in this draft. If Autry can get his weight down and improve his recognition, he’ll be a starter sooner than later.
Seventh Round: LB Deshaun Davis, Auburn
The Jets round out their 2019 NFL draft class by taking an inside linebacker out of Auburn.
Deshaun Davis projects to be a backup next to Neville Hewitt with Darron Lee on his way out the door.
At Auburn, Davis was the team’s defensive leader, called the team’s on-field defensive coordinator by some of the coaches on the staff. He has an outstanding football IQ but is limited athletically and by his size, standing at 5-foot-11.
He is a force in the trenches, but his lack of lateral mobility makes him a developmental pick.
