The Jets went into the 2020 NFL Draft with the main objective of making sure Sam Darnold has the tools around him to become a better quarterback in 2020.
New York certainly did that, adding two offensive linemen and two skill players. The Jets put Darnold in a better position to succeed than they ever have before. At the same time, they were able to find value on the defensive side of the ball, adding more contributors for Gregg Williams to utilize. The draft has unintended consequences and while some may reap its benefits, there are other players who have been put on notice by the organization.
Now that it’s over, let’s take a look at the Jets’ winners and losers from the 2020 NFL Draft.
Winner: Sam Darnold
Joe Douglas promised Sam Darnold’s parents he would do everything in his power to protect their son. Douglas did that with the selections of Mekhi Becton and Cameron Clark, two physical bullies on the line who will be menacing in the run game and ensure the protection of their quarterback.
In addition, Douglas was able to add a wide receiver, Denzel Mims, who has the potential to be a No. 1 at the next level. His wide catch radius should certainly improve the Jets’ struggles in the red zone in years past. Also coming aboard is Florida running back La’Mical Perine, who is an ideal dual-threat back to complement Le’Veon Bell.
While the Jets may have wanted to add another pass catcher, they’ve certainly put Darnold in a better position to succeed from a protection standpoint. There is still the undrafted free agency period and veterans will shake loose once training camp is underway. For now, Darnold is in a better position after this weekend than he ever has been in a Jets uniform.
Winner: Joe Douglas
From a value standpoint, Joe Douglas was able to knock his first draft out of the park.
Douglas started by getting the Jets’ a long-term starter at left tackle in Becton before trading back 11 spots and adding a pick to take Mims, who they would have happily taken with their original pick.
From there, Douglas was able to provide Jets fans a breath of fresh air. Instead of getting taken advantage of in trades, Douglas ensured the Jets were getting back what they put in. New York traded the 101st pick to New England in exchange for picks Nos. 125, 129 and a 2021 sixth-round choice. Douglas was also able to acquire a player — Quincy Wilson — who has the starting capability of a No. 2 cornerback in exchange for the 211th pick in the draft.
Time is required before we can truly judge Douglas’ picks, but he made a strong initial impression with his first draft class.
Loser: Chuma Edoga
Not being drafted by the current regime put Chuma Edoga at a disadvantage from the get-go. Even with that, Edoga was expected to fight for the right tackle job coming into OTAs. However, that may not be the case after this weekend’s draft.
The Jets signed George Fant to be a swing tackle who would be penciled in as the starting left tackle in absence of Kelvin Beachum. With the Mekhi Becton selection on Thursday, the Jets have all but indicated that there will be an open competition at right tackle between Fant and Edoga. Edoga struggled between his time at left and right during his rookie campaign. Although, he did show flashes of brilliance, including shutting down Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence at one point last season.
Edoga now has an uphill battle to make the Jets’ starting lineup. Coming off a season-ending MCL sprain, Edoga will need to prove his worth to the Jets coaching staff and front office alike to beat out Fant on the right side.
Loser: Marcus Maye
The Jets’ surprise selection of Ashtyn Davis could make Marcus Maye expendable.
It was never likely that the Jets would be able to pay both Jamal Adams and Maye. With Joe Douglas seemingly committed to coming to a resolution on Adams’ contract extension, this pick could lead Maye to the trade block. Maye had the best season of his Jets career in 2019 under Gregg Williams’ direction, but he’s battled various injuries across his short career and will be 28 by the time he’s eligible for his second deal.
Maye is still penciled in to be the Jets’ starting free safety next season — that hasn’t changed. Still, Davis played free safety at Cal and that position could become redundant. Another possibility: the Jets could play with three safeties and allow Davis to take advantage of his versatility while employing Adams as a rover at the line of scrimmage. Endless possibilities remain, but Maye’s spot on the team is no longer 100 percent certain.
Winner: Gregg Williams
Joe Douglas got Gregg Williams some shiny new toys to work with this weekend.
It’s no secret that Williams did a lot with a little in 2019. The Jets added Patrick Onwuasor and Pierre Desir, but beyond that, their main defensive additions have been re-signings. Now, Williams has Ashytn Davis, Jabari Zuniga, Bryce Hall and Quincy Wilson to add to an already much-improved defense from the year before.
Williams has an athlete in Davis who can play multiple positions in the secondary and fly around the field. Zuniga has all the traits to be a productive pass-rusher at the next level, but Williams needs to hone in his explosiveness. As for Hall and Wilson, those are two potential starting cornerbacks who fit what Williams does on defense if both can stay healthy.
Loser: Bless Austin
With the Jets’ roster structure prior to the draft, it looked like Bless Austin had a chance of starting on the opposite side of Pierre Desir. That changed this weekend when the Jets added two corners in Bryce Hall and Quincy Wilson.
The main objective for Hall is health. If the Virginia product can return to form after a devastating ankle injury, he has a real shot of becoming a starter at the next level. On the other hand, Wilson was granted a change of scenery from a zone scheme, which he struggled mightily during the 2019 campaign in Indy. He’ll get back to playing a press-man scheme under Gregg Williams, in which he thrived during the first two seasons of his career.
Austin was a nice story last season, but the chips are stacked against him yet again.
