The Draft Wire just released its latest seven-round mock draft, which has the Jets taking a top receiver.
In this seven-round projection, Luke Easterling Draft Wire’s has the Jets making some interesting picks. First, Easterling has the Jets spurning an offensive tackle in favor of taking a potential All-Pro wide receiver in Jerry Jeudy.
From there, the projections teeter from needs to positional value. Easterling has the Jets addressing the tackle position, but it’s the right side, which is less of a concern. He is able to find immediate, impact starters in the third and fourth rounds, but from there, the Jets aren’t drafting based on needs.
With that said, let’s take a look at Eatserling’s projections for the Jets in Rounds 1-7.
Round 1
11. Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
With Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills and Mekhi Becton all off the board before the 11th pick, Easterling has the Jets swinging for the fences by taking Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy over the fourth-best tackle, Andrew Thomas.
Jeudy is the perfect No. 1 wide receiver for Sam Darnold. He’s a crisp route-runner who has the natural speed and ability to take the top off of defenses. Jeudy’s experience in pro-style route combinations at Alabama should bode well for his transition to the pros.
While Jeudy didn’t put up the numbers he did in his sophomore year with the Crimson Tide, he was still among the top receivers in the country last year. Starting all 13 games, he corralled 77 receptions for 1,1263 yards and 10 touchdowns, repeating as a first-team All-SEC pick.
Round 2
48. Isaiah Wilson | OT | Georgia
The Jets wait until Day 2 to get their tackle, nabbing a mauler in Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson.
A Bronx native, Wilson was able to make a name for himself down in Athens due to his massive 6-foot-6, 350-pound frame. During the draft process, Wilson has slowly begun to creep up big boards, as some believe he could go in the first round due to the demand for quality offensive line play in the NFL.
Wilson is an intriguing right tackle prospect with outstanding physical traits. He would be drafted based on his potential and due to his limited range, it’s doubtful he would be able to move over to the left side. While Wilson seems like a prospect that would be in Joe Douglas’ wheelhouse on paper, he doesn’t have the positional flexibility to play over Chuma Edoga and George Fant. That doesn’t bode well for a team like the Jets, who need a player that can come in and start right away at No. 48.
Round 3 (via NYG)
68. Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State
With the third-round pick that the Jets’ acquired from the Leonard Williams trade, New York lands Cameron Dantzler, a cornerback who can come in and compete with Blessaun Austin for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
Dantzler played in just nine games in his junior season at Mississippi State but tied for the team lead with two interceptions and eight pass breakups, adding 40 tackles in the process.
While Dantzler had a miserable combine, that hasn’t prevented teams like the Jets from poking around. They’ve already met virtually with the Mississippi State product.
Though he’s a thin-framed cornerback at 6-foot-2, 188-pounds, he’s still a physical player with great ball tracking skills. His ability to hold his own and hang with NFL quality receivers in the SEC is much more imperative than his poor testing results.
Round 3
79. Bradlee Anae | EDGE | Utah
Bradlee Anae has been a popular projection to the Jets, specifically in the third round.
The Utah product is not going to solve New York’s pass-rushing woes, but he certainly can come in and be a complement to Jordan Jenkins on the outside. He has the size at 6-foot-3, 257-pounds, strength, hands and flexibility to play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. Anae is not a natural bull-rusher, but he certainly has the motor to play as a rush linebacker in Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme.
Anae repeated as a first-team All-Pac 12 selection in 2019, leading the Utes with 14 tackles for loss, among his 41 tackles. He also added 13 sacks in 14 total starts, which was good enough to be recognized as a third-team Associated Press-All American.
Round 4
120. John Simpson | OL | Clemson
Joe Douglas dips his hand in the offensive line pool again to take Clemson’s John Simpson, who is viewed as an NFL-ready guard.
As a senior at Clemson, Simpson earned a first-team All-ACC selection, as well his as second-team Associated Press All-American, for his play on the National Championship runner-ups.
Simpson has heavy hands; he often knocks defenders back with a combination of upper and lower body strength. If needed, he can play either guard position on the offensive line, continuing Douglas’ theme of positional versatility in the trenches.
Round 5
158. Jacob Breeland | TE | Oregon
Tight end is not a position of need for the Jets, but with Chris Herndon’s injury history and Ryan Griffin’s age, it’s a good bet they will probably end up with one when the draft commences.
That brings us to Jacob Breeland, who has received a clean bill of health after a knee injury cut his senior season at Oregon short. Before his injury, Breeland started his senior campaign strong, catching 26 passes for 405 yards and six touchdowns in six games.
Breeland is an average pass-catcher and isn’t a very good run blocker. It’s hard envisioning him beating out Daniel Brown or Trevon Wesco, both primarily blocking tight ends, which is why the Jets would be better suited to find more wide receiver or cornerback depth with this pick.
Round 6
191. Nick Coe | DL | Auburn
Nick Coe was was unable to retain his starting spot during his redshirt junior season at Auburn. He started just one of 11 games, adding 15 tackles, three of them for loss.
Coe is a defensive lineman without a position. He’s a tweener who has the body type and natural power to play defensive end but seems better suited to play inside. At this point in the draft, it could be worth taking a flier on someone like Coe, especially since Gregg Williams and staff were able to develop players such as Kyle Phillips and Folorunso Fatukasi.
Round 6 (via KC)
211. J.J. Taylor | RB | Arizona
The Jets need a backup for Le’Veon Bell. That player will probably come earlier in the draft and won’t be a back who is 5-foot-5, 185-pounds like Arizona’s J.J. Taylor.
In 2019, Taylor led the Wildcats in rushing, carrying the ball 148 times for 721 yards and five touchdowns. He added 32 receptions for 289 yards in the passing game as well.
Taylor is a short but stout runner, whose college production will receive attention from NFL teams. Due to his size, he’ll likely be a limited runner at the next level with an outside shot of making an NFL roster.
