With the 2020 NFL Draft less than a week away, CBS Sports released a new three-round mock.
In these projections, CBS Sports’ Dan Schneier has the Jets trading up to secure the offensive tackle of their choosing. After that, the Jets are able to acquire a starter at receiver and an edge rusher who has the potential to eventually be one.
Let’s take a look at who Schneier has the Jets taking in Rounds 1-3.
Round 1 (via JAC):
9. Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
The Jets move up two spots to ensure they’ll get Andrew Thomas. In this projected trade, the Jets part ways with picks Nos. 11 and 79 while adding pick No. 116 in the process.
Here’s CBS Sports’ explanation for the trade-up and selection:
The Jets don’t chance a team trading up ahead of the Giants to draft the third of the big-four OTs (before their cross-town rival snags the last one at No. 10). The Jets lose their best Day 2 pick in the process (but grab back an early Day 3 pick), but that’s a fine price to pay to lock in their choice of the final two OTs (an absolute must given the current depth chart). Thomas has played against some of the best competition in the SEC, but he is my OT4 in this class (only slightly behind the top three) due to issues I spot in pass protection. At times when you watch Thomas, it also feels like he was hidden by Georgia’s play-action heavy system. A case can be made that Thomas is OT1 and for some teams who just might be — the Jets come away thrilled with this pick.
New York had a private dinner with Andrew Thomas and worked him out the next morning before pre-draft visits were shut down, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It’s clear that the Jets have done their homework on the Georgia tackle. The question that remains is will he make it out of the top-10? The Dolphins have shown interest and have the draft capital to trade up and grab him if need be.
Thomas didn’t have the best combine but his results at Georgia point to a model of consistency. A three-year starter, he got a crack at playing both tackle positions. Coming from a well-coached team, Thomas will be a Day 1 starter due to his technique and versatility on the line.
Round 2:
48. K.J. Hamler | WR | Penn State
After landing a tackle, the Jets immediately shift their attention to the wide receiver position.
Here’s the explanation for the selection:
After finding Darnold an OT, the Jets give him one of the players most fun for me to evaluate this pre-draft process. At times when watching Hamler, he reminds you of Tyreek Hill-lite. He will add an element of vertical speed the Jets currently only have with Perriman, but he’s not a one-trick pony. The best part about Hamler is his ability to create separation on a wide variety of routes. That’s his trump card — the trait that makes him special. It will also make him an immediate fit for a QB like Darnold who likes to throw on the move and is accurate doing so
K.J. Hamler is an explosive slot target who can stretch the field due to his natural athletic ability. His drops were a big concern at Penn State, but he still managed to receive second-team all-conference recognition, catching 56 passes for 904 yards and eight touchdowns. His athleticism and pure speed should mitigate any concerns at the next level.
Adding Breshad Perriman to replace Robby Anderson may have addressed the Jets’ need for a speedster at receiver. However, Joe Douglas hinted that the Jets are looking to add more speed for Sam Darnold on offense next season.
“Well, I think you saw that in the two teams [Chiefs and 49ers] that competed in the Super Bowl this year, how many explosive players they had on both sides of the ball,” Douglas told reporters at the combine. “Look, I mean, everybody’s trying to get bigger, faster, smarter, tougher. So we need explosive guys. We need explosive dynamic playmakers.”
Round 3 (via NYG):
68. Darrell Taylor | EDGE | Tennessee
As part of the Leonard Williams trade, the Jets take Darrell Taylor hoping that he can have more of an impact as a pure pass-rusher.
Here’s the explanation for this selection:
Rather than force the issue at CB, or double-dip at WR now knowing there will be value at the position with their next pick, the Jets grab an EDGE who threatens to be their most athletic pass rusher right away. With the right coaching, he can soon evolve into New York’s best player off the edge.
Taylor led the Volunteers with 10 tackles for loss while adding 8.5 sacks, 46 total tackles and four pass breakups in 2019. He has the ability to explode off the edge but needs additional development to refine his technique at the next level. Taylor’s certainly an edge rusher New York can groom to be the sack artist they’ve been searching for, but it will take some teaching from Gregg Williams.
