The Jets went into Day 1 of the draft searching for a prized tackle to ensure the safety of Sam Darnold. They came away with Mekhi Becton. New York swung for the fences with its first pick, choosing the upside that comes with a player of Becton’s stature over a safer pick like Tristan Wirfs.
Joe Douglas accomplished his first task, but he still has several more to complete with seven picks currently left to spare. The Jets are in desperate need of a receive, but the run on the position hasn’t begun just yet. The Jets have to play their cards right on Day 2. They need to come away with multiple starters, which is certainly plausible with picks Nos. 48, 68 and 79.
With that said, let’s take a look at six Day 2 targets for Gang Green.
Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | USC
Michael Pittman Jr. is the best receiver fit for the Jets on Day 2 given his relationship with Sam Darnold. However, it’s hard to envision him lasting until No. 48, so the Jets would have to move some picks around in order to add Pittman to their receiver room.
Pittman has been rising up draft boards, specifically because of his play during his junior campaign. The USC product hauled in an impressive 101 receptions for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 starts. In addition to his impressive stats, Pittman was a Biletnikoff Award finalist while earning second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
At 6-foot-4, Pittman is the exact possession receiver that the Jets and Darnold have been searching for. He’s not the cleanest route-runner, but he has fantastic ball skills that will lead to touchdowns at the next level.
Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor
Denzel Mims is a wide receiver the Jets have done extensive homework on, but it does come as a bit of surprise that his name wasn’t called on Thursday night.
On his way to first-team All-Conference in 2019, Mims had 66 catches for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 starts. He is the ideal No. 1 wide receiver that Sam Darnold has been lacking. Mims has an outstanding catch radius at 6-foot-3 and is always a touchdown threat in the red zone. He’d be a home run pick for the Jets at No. 48, or if they elect to trade up for him.
Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama
The younger brother of new Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Trevon Diggs will have the opportunity to face his brother twice a year if he’s still available at No. 48.
Starting in 12 games as a senior for the Crimson Tide, Diggs earned third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-SEC honors. Diggs had three interceptions to go along with a team-leading eight pass-breakups, 37 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Diggs is a talented prospect who projects well as a starting press corner. He has a rare blend of size at 6-foot-1, 205-pounds, strength and ball skills. Diggs has the physicality and ball tracking skills to be an excellent No. 2 cornerback opposite of Pierre Desir. He should be heavily considered with the 48th pick, even with the Jets in dire need of a wide receiver.
Matt Hennessy | C | Temple
Joe Douglas could double-dip at offensive line and not too many people would bat an eye. If there is a run on receivers, Temple’s Matt Hennessy would be an excellent fallback option considering he is on the Jets’ radar and is not expected to get out of the second round.
In his final season at Temple, Hennessy was named third-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-Conference and a finalist for the Remington Trophy as one of the nation’s best centers in 2019. He has the hands, leverage, athletic ability and football I.Q. to be a Day 1 starter in the middle.
Hennessy allows the Jets to get creative with their interior offensive line. There have been murmurs that New York would like to slide out Connor McGovern to right guard, while Greg Van Roten can fill into’ his natural position at left guard. Alex Lewis would then serve as the Jets interior depth piece, allowing Brian Winters to become expendable and a potential cap casualty.
Robert Hunt | IOL | Louisiana-Lafayette
Joe Douglas did an excellent job of upgrading the Jets interior offensive line during free agency with credible placeholders, but they need to continue to build up young depth inside.
Robert Hunt, a three-year starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns, certainly fits that bill. He’s seen time at every position except center on the offensive line and has most recently played right tackle. He only started seven games in 2019 due to a groin injury, but was still named first-team All-Conference for his efforts at right tackle.
Hunt is a plus athlete who has the versatility to play either guard or tackle at the next level. He has a rare blend of athleticism and size at 6-foot-5, 323 pounds. Hunt has similar traits to Mekhi Becton, which makes him a desirable option for the Jets on Day 2.
Donovan Peoples-Jones | WR | Michigan
Donovan Peoples-Jones has flown under the radar during the draft process, but that’s no fault of his own. He struggled with an injury early on during his junior campaign and had to endure poor quarterback play. He eventually started nine of 11 games, catching 34 passes for 438 yards and six touchdowns. In addition, he returned 24 punts for an average of 7.2 yards per return.
Peoples-Jones is a big receiver with an imposing frame, standing at 6-foot-2, 212 pounds. He has the hands, ball skills and athletic ability to be a legitimate threat at the next level. He presents himself as an ideal fallback option if there is a run on receivers before the Jets pick at No. 48.
