With the NFL draft hours away, we at the Jets Wire have finished our final mock draft.
Gang Green finds itself at a prime position at No. 3, where it can either trade back or take the best player available. With the Jets no longer needing a quarterback, they have the luxury of pursuing a trade down. Here, however, the deals are not to their liking, so they stay put as the best player in the draft falls to them yet again.
Let’s take a look at who we have the Jets and the other 31 teams taking in the first round.
1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Kyler Murray has always been the pick. Kliff Kingsbury is allowed to handpick his quarterback in his first season as head coach.
2. San Francisco 49ers: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
The 49ers could go Nick Bosa or Quinnen Williams here, but ultimately decide that the latter is the better player and fit.
3. New York Jets: EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
The Jets are fine staying put at No. 3, with the best pass-rusher in the draft falling to them. Nick Bosa is a natural fit in Gregg Williams’ defense and is a perennial Pro Bowler in the making.
4. Oakland Raiders: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
The interest in Ed Oliver by the Jets was mainly a smokescreen in order to get Oakland to trade up a spot. Instead, both teams stay put and the Raiders get much needed pass-rush help in the interior.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: ILB Devin White, LSU
The Buccaneers find the heart and soul of their defense in Devin White, who will easily replace Kwon Alexander.
6. New York Giants: OLB Josh Allen, Kentucky
The Giants need a pass-rusher and a quarterback; they opt for the pass-rusher first as Josh Allen falls to them.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
After getting their quarterback in free agency, the Jaguars find their tight end. T.J. Hockenson compares to be a Jason Witten, Jeremy Shockey type and can completely change the Jaguars passing game.
8. Washington Redskins (via DET): QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
In this projected trade, the Redskins trade up for their quarterback of the future in Dwayne Haskins.
9. Buffalo Bills: OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
The Bills would love to trade back, but they instead take a versatile offensive lineman to help protect their young quarterback.
10. Denver Broncos: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
The Broncos have done extensive homework on this years quarterback class. Here they get their guy in Drew Lock, who can sit behind Joe Flacco and develop.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: ILB Devin Bush, Michigan
Devin Bush has the chance to be an elite player in this defense, which needs to replace Vontaze Burfict.
12. Green Bay Packers: TE Noah Fant, Iowa
The Packers finally get their tight end, which will be more of a point of emphasis under their new head coach.
13. Miami Dolphins: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Jawaan Taylor somehow falls to No. 13 for a Dolphins team that needs to upgrade at the right tackle position. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil has already endorsed Taylor as the Dolphins pick.
14. Atlanta Falcons: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
The Falcons love Christian Wilkins; this pick makes too much sense and he’s the perfect fit on that defensive front.
15. Detroit Lions (via WSH): EDGE Brian Burns, Florida State
The Lions trade back seven spots, add draft capital and take a player who they might have considered picking at No. 8 anyway.
16. Carolina Panthers: EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Montez Sweat’s slide due to his medicals ends here. The Panthers take much-needed pass-rushing help.
17. Houston Texans (via NYG through CLE): OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
The Texans come up to take their offensive tackle, as Dave Gettelman has no problem sliding a little bit further down to grab more picks and his quarterback.
18. Minnesota Vikings: OC Garrett Bradbury, NC State
The Vikings need help on their interior offensive line. Drafting Garrett Bradbury allows Minnesota to slide Pat Elflein over to guard.
19. Tennesee Titans: EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
The ACC’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss in 2018 finds a home in the Music City.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Temple’s Rock Ya-Sin is the first cornerback off the board. Mike Tomlin is said to be in love with his physicality as the Steelers badly need help in their secondary.
21. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Rashan Gary, Michigan
Rashan Gary’s slide due to shoulder concerns comes to a halt. The Seahawks find their Frank Clark replacement.
22. Baltimore Ravens: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
The Ravens add some speed and flair for their young quarterback, who desperately needs help at the receiver position.
23. New York Giants (via HOU): QB Daniel Jones, Duke
Daniel Jones is a carbon copy of Eli Manning and that’s why the Giants love him. Here, they are able to trade down and still get their guy.
24. Oakland Raiders (via CHI): RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
As part of the Khalil Mack trade, the Raiders bolster their backfield with the best running back in this class.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: S Nasir Adderley, Delaware
The Eagles would love to trade down here, but they get a perfect pairing for Malcolm Jenkins by taking a local product in Nasir Adderley.
26. Indianapolis Colts: WR N’Keal Harry, Arizona State
The Colts get a big body wide receiver to add to a room that includes T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess.
27. Oakland Raiders (via DAL): CB Byron Murphy, Washington
The Raiders completed the Amari Cooper trade by getting themselves a starting cornerback who many consider the best in the draft.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
The Chargers have a big need at defensive tackle and they don’t seem to be thrilled with Dexter Lawrence, so they take the next best player available.
29. Seattle Seahawks (via KC): CB Justin Layne, Michigan State
To complete the Frank Clark trade, the Seahawks take Justin Layne to add to their cornerback room, as he has been a high riser during the draft process.
30. Green Bay Packers (via NO): OT Dalton Risner, Kansas State
With their extra first, the Packers add Dalton Risner, who joins an aging tackle room.
31. Los Angeles Rams: OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
The Rams need to get some reinforcements for the offensive line and Lindstrom is a perfect fit.
32. New England Patriots: CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
The Patriots opt to take another high rising corner in Joejuan Willaims, who can be a younger, bigger version of Patrick Chung.
