This year’s wide receiver draft class is nothing short of loaded.
Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III and Oklahoma’s CeeDeeLamb steal most of the headlines, but the depth of the class is what sets it apart. Given how deep the pool of talent runs, it is not unrealistic to expect to find a starting-caliber receiver on day two or even day three of the draft.
It remains to be seen if the Jets will go with an offensive lineman or wide receiver with the 11th pick. Either way, it’s safe to assume Douglas will look to add additional talent at receiver later in the draft regardless of what he does in the first round.
So, who are some late-round prospects the Jets should be interested in? Let’s take a look.
Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
In 2018, Shenault was one of the best receivers in college football, catching 86 passes for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. His numbers took a hit last season due to Colorado’s quarterback struggles and injuries, which caused his draft stock to take a major hit.
Shenault’s medicals will dictate where he gets drafted. His injury history and the fact that he just underwent core surgery after the combine is not encouraging. Shenault’s combine interviews were also reportedly underwhelming.
When he’s healthy, Shenault is an elite receiver with the size and ball skills to make plays downfield. If he slips late into day two as some are now projecting, it would be worth the Jets’ while to take a chance on him.
Denzel Mims, Baylor
A strong final season at Baylor (66 receptions, 1,020 yards, 12 touchdowns), a solid showing at the Senior Bowl in February and a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine have resulted in Mims’ stock rising over the last couple of months.
Mims is a solid route runner and can take the top off a defense if need be. Some teams have him graded as a first-round talent, while others have him pegged as a day three pick. If he lands somewhere in the middle of those projections, the Jets could be in the running for his services.
Lynn Bowden, Kentucky
Bowden got pressed into quarterback duty in 2019, but his future in the NFL is at wide receiver.
Before being forced under center due to an injury to Kentucky’s starting quarterback, Bowden caught 30 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown. At quarterback, he ran for 1,468 yards, 7.9 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns — a testament to what he can do with the ball in his hands.
It’s pretty simple. Get Bowden the ball in space and he will make a play more often than not. The Jets don’t have many guys like that, making Bowden a potentially attractive round three or four target.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
A former five-star recruit coming out of high school, Peoples-Jones never quite developed into the star many expected him to be at Michigan.
Peoples-Jones earned third-team All-B1G honors in 2018 with 47 receptions, 612 yards and eight touchdowns, but that was the peak of his college career. In his defense, Michigan’s passing attack struggled with Shea Patterson under center, but Peoples-Jones’ inability to eclipse the 50-reception mark at any point in his college career says a lot.
There is still time for Peoples-Jones to reach his potential. With that in mind, he could be worth a late-round flier.
K.J. Hill, Ohio State
Hill is not a speed demon or explosive route runner, but he is extremely polished and has the ability to become a starter as either an inside or outside receiver.
Hill’s good hands, shiftiness in the open field and yard after the catch ability all point toward a successful career awaiting him in the NFL. He didn’t run the best 40-yard dash time at the combine, but his production at Ohio State speaks for itself.
Aaron Parker, Rhode Island
It’s rare that Rhode Island churns out NFL talent, but Parker has the potential to become a late-round steal if he winds up in the right situation.
The 6-foot-2 Parker caught 81 passes for 1,224 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He was already on the NFL’s radar, but Parker’s strong senior season opened eyes around the league.
Parker has matchup nightmare written all over him. If the Jets are in the market for a receiver late in the draft, Parker should be a guy they take a long look at.
