Senior Bowl week is upon us down in Mobile, Alabama, which means scouting efforts will be in full force for the Jets and the NFL’s 31 other teams.
This is Joe Douglas’ first opportunity to shine as Jets general manager. He has his work cut out for him, whether it’s scouting the impressive offensive line class or finding new weapons for Sam Darnold.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at six players the Jets should have their eyes on at the Senior Bowl, which takes place Saturday.
C Matt Hennessy – Temple
Matt Hennessy, the brother of Jets long snapper Thomas Hennessy, would love to return home and be teammates with his brother for the first time on a football field.
Hennessy is quickly becoming a hot name in a rather weak center class. Washington’s Nick Harris has consistently struggled in one-on-one drills, while Hennessy has stood out. He has arguably been the best offensive lineman in Mobile thus far, consistently stonewalling opposing defensive linemen, as he did in college.
The Jets have struggled to find a mainstay to bark out signals on the offensive line. The team has gone through five centers in the past three seasons and have failed to replace the stability and production that Nick Mangold brought to the position for over a decade.
What stands out with Hennessy is his football intelligence and his pass blocking skills. At Temple, Hennessy was one of the most consistent pass blockers in the nation, not allowing a sack in 828 snaps. He allowed four total pressures during his junior campaign, per Pro Football Focus. He graded out as PFF’s top-ranked center in the FBS this season (86.9).
WR Denzel Mims – Baylor
Baylor’s Denzel Mims has been the most impressive wide receiver at the Senior Bowl.
Mims has seen rave reviews, winning one-on-one matchups consistently with his combination of size and speed. He was completely dominating the red zone portion of drills, hauling in touchdown receptions with his 6-foot-3 frame.
Mims is a strong Day 2 option for a team looking to develop an outside threat. He has an incredible catch radius, but his route running needs some improvement. An impressive showing in Mobile will make him a coveted candidate come draft day, as he projects to be a Kenny Golladay-like playmaker.
EDGE Zack Baun – Wisconsin
Zack Baun could be a late first-round pick with the way he’s showed off his pass-rushing abilities this week.
Baun could potentially be had when the Jets make their first selection on Day 2. He compares well to Kyle Van Noy or Anthony Barr, a player than can thrive when used as a defensive chess piece.
Former Jets general manager Mike Tannebaum said that Baun reminds him of former New England Patriot, Tedy Bruschi, which is certainly high praise.
Coming from Wisconsin, he fits every single stereotype of a typical Badger rush-linebacker. Baun is agile and his never-ending motor helps him stand out in a crowded pass-rusher class.
OT Josh Jones – Houston
Like Zack Baun, Josh Jones could find himself in the first round of the draft come April.
Jones is a fallback option for Gang Green if there is a run on tackles and wide receivers before the No. 11 overall pick. New York could elect to trade back to add more draft capital and take Jones as a consolation prize or take Jones at No. 11 and buy into what he’s shown at the Senior Bowl.
Jones’ 93.2 Pro Football Focus grade was the best PFF has ever given to a Group-of-5 offensive tackle. He has made himself money this week at the Senior Bowl by playing both tackle positions. Jones’ outstanding pass-blocking numbers make him an intriguing option for a tackle-needy team.
OL Lloyd Cushenberry – LSU
Fresh off winning the National Championship, Lloyd Cushenberry III joined a large group of LSU players declaring for the draft.
Cushenberry is everything you could want in a center. He’s smart, tough and an excellent leader. He came into Mobile with many projecting him to be the No. 1 center in his class and he’s certainly backed it up with his play thus far.
Cushenberry is great at the point of attack, which he showed in a one-on-one rep against South Carolina DL Javon Kinlaw, who is regarded as a top-15 pick.
CB Troy Pride Jr. – Notre Dame
With many outside cornerbacks opting to withdraw from the Senior Bowl, it presented an opportunity for Troy Pride Jr.
Pride has consistently been the best outside cover corner for the North team this week. The Notre Dame product has great speed and quickness but has shown impressive timing with his attack at the catch point as well.
He is another riser that presents himself as a plausible option for New York on Day 2.
