With the NFL Scouting Combine ending last weekend, the NFL is in a holding pattern of draft buzz until the start of the new league year. With that, NFL Network’s Chad Reuter released his latest mock draft, a three-rounder.
In this hypothetical, the Jets are able to reload the offensive line while finding potential replacements for both Robby Anderson and Jordan Jenkins on Day 2. At the same time, the Jets whiff on the copious amount of wide receiver talent in this draft.
Free agency will be telling of what the Jets plan to do round-by-round. For now, projections are the best measurement until it is understood what the front office wants to do with the offensive line.
With that said, here’s a look at the players selected by Reuter in each round for the Jets.
First Round: Tristan Wirfs | OL | Iowa
It’s unlikely that Tristan Wirfs is still on the board with the 11th pick, but with Cleveland trading out of No. 10 and four quarterbacks going within the top-10 picks, it opens up a window for New York.
Here’s the explanation for the pick from Chad Reuter:
The Jets’ O-line is a mess right now. Wirfs gives them a stout protector whether he’s at guard or tackle.
While the Jets seem interested in trading for Trent Williams, who the Redskins have made available via trade, that doesn’t take them out of the running for OL in the first round.
Wirfs is athletic enough to play both tackle spots. He started 10 games at right tackle and three games at left tackle for the Hawkeyes in 2019. Daniel Jeremiah believe Wirfs has All-Pro potential at guard, too.
Wirfs would make an immediate impact on the Jets wherever he lines up. He is a big, powerful offensive tackle who shows off a solid balance of size, speed and strength. The 6-foot-5, 322-pound product from Iowa would be a homerun first pick for Joe Douglas and company.
Second Round: Lloyd Cushenberry III | C | LSU
After finding one starter on the offensive line, the Jets opt for a center in LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry III.
Cushenberry is a starting-caliber center who was the anchor of the Tigers offensive line that claimed the Joe Moore Award in 2019, which is awarded to college football’s best unit.
Cushenberry has a high football IQ, the necessary leadership and the athleticism to be the perfect center for Sam Darnold. Everything starts up front for New York, especially with its young quarterback. Finding a capable NFL starter at the center position should be the Jets’ No. 1 priority this offseason.
Third Round (via NYG): John Hightower | WR | Bosie State
In the third round, the Jets elect to overdraft a wideout with the third-round pick they received from the Giants in the Leonard Williams trade.
With interior linemen such as Matt Hennessey, Jonah Jackson and Cesar Ruiz still on the board when the Jets make their pick at No. 68, New York probably should have taken a wide receiver with its second-round pick rather than Lloyd Cushneberry III. Wide receivers such as K.J. Hamler, Jalen Reagor and Chase Claypool were on the board when the Jets made their pick at No. 48.
However, picking John Hightower would mean that Robby Anderson’s days in New York are finished. Speed is Hightower’s calling card; he ran an unofficial 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Hightower was a second-team All-Mountain West pick in 2019, leading Bosie State in receiving yards. He caught 51 passes for 953 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. Hightower also contributed as the primary kick returner, returning 26 kicks for an average of 24.6 yards and returning one for a touchdown.
While Hightower can get down the field and take off the top of defenses, he lacks size and strength, which could be a continuing issue against press-coverage and with contested catches. If this is Joe Douglas’ choice at wide receiver, the Jets will yet again whiff on another historic receiver class.
Third Round: Darrell Taylor | EDGE | Tennessee
Joe Douglas doesn’t leave Day 2 without addressing the Jets’ long-standing need at the edge rusher position.
Darrell Taylor is a powerful edge defender who can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive set. At Tennessee, Taylor showed the ability to explode and bend the edge, which will certainly get someone like Douglas’ attention. Taylor led the Volunteers with 10 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 46 total tackles and four pass breakups in 13 starts in 2019.
Taylor projects as more of a complementary piece at the next level and would be a suitable addition to replace Jordan Jenkins.
