The Jets, like every other team, were keeping a close eye on LSU’s 42-25 victory over Clemson in Monday night’s National Championship game.
The game provided a chance to take in draft-eligible players that should be on the Jets’ radar. Among those players are potential No. 1 wide receivers, future starting running backs, sideline to sideline linebackers and shutdown cornerbacks that New York could target in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL draft.
With that said, here are seven College Football Playoff National Championship game players that the Jets should consider in April.
Clemson: WR Tee Higgins
If the Jets prioritize a wide receiver in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, it’s likely because there has been a run on offensive linemen before they pick at No. 11.
With Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb likely off the board within the top-10, that leaves Clemson’s Tee Higgins as a viable option if the Jets elect to stay at No. 11 or trade down and stock up on draft capital.
In Monday’s National Championship, Higgins wasn’t a major factor in the passing game, but his 36-yard rushing touchdown kept Clemson alive in the first half.
His basketball background surely shows in the way he plays wide receiver. Higgins is big, tall and long-bodied, standing at 6-foot-4. He has an outstanding catch radius with the ability to make impressive catches in tight coverage.
Higgins projects as the type of big body wide receiver that Sam Darnold has been lacking and could replace Robby Anderson as the Jets’ top target on the outside.
LSU: WR Justin Jefferson
Few players have done more to improve their draft stock over the past month than LSU WR Justin Jefferson. He caught a career-high four touchdowns during LSU’s 63-28 dismantling of Oklahoma in the semi-final. Catching passes from the future No. 1 overall pick and reigning Heisman winner, Joe Burrow, Jefferson had nine receptions for 106 yards in LSU’s 42-25 win over Clemson.
Taking someone of Jefferson’s caliber is an idealistic scenario on Day 2 of the draft for Joe Douglas. Waiting for the second round to take a wideout indicates that the Jets would be able to start fixing the patchwork offensive line, which is New York’s top priority.
Clemson: LB Isaiah Simmons
Isaiah Simmons isn’t just another linebacker and fans of Gang Green shouldn’t be discouraged if Joe Douglas takes him despite the position not being the team’s most pressing need.
Simmons is the prototypical player for today’s NFL. He can go from rushing off the edge to off-ball to the slot and deep safety with ease. His sideline to sideline speed is ridiculous, and Simmons has the talent to be a star for years to come.
When thinking of Simmons, think of former Seattle Seahawk Kam Chancellor without the deep coverage skills. Simmons is the Swiss army knife of the defense and can excel whether he is stalking the quarterback at the line of scrimmage or covering someone like Julian Edelman in the slot.
LSU: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
Chase Young is viewed as the best pass-rusher in this year’s draft. The second-best pass-rusher is up for grabs and very well could be K’Lavon Chaisson.
Chaisson has the ideal build and mobility for an edge rusher at the next level. Standing at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Chaisson’s combination of size and speed enables him to pull off an assortment of pass-rushing moves that many others can’t.
He has made himself into a viable first-round option after fighting back from a torn ACL suffered his sophomore season. Despite inexperience, he will be heavily sought after come draft day.
Clemson: CB A.J. Terrell
A.J. Terrell is a terrific athlete who can play in either press or man coverage. However, Monday didn’t exactly do any favors for Terrell’s draft stock.
Terrell is what the Jets often seek in cornerbacks; he is physical and knows how to use his hands in stride. He’s not one to shy away from contact and has put receivers on islands this season with his physicality and ball skills.
Against LSU, Terrell had his hands full. He was apart of a Clemson secondary that had to deal with Ja’Marr Chase, who projects to be the top wide receiver in the 2021 draft class. Chase had nine receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
LSU: CB Kristian Fulton
Kristian Fulton has a slight edge over A.J. Terrell, as the LSU Tiger is more likely to be chosen on Day 1 of the 2020 NFL draft.
However, like Terrell, the two talented cornerbacks were getting outmatched by the exceptional quarterback and wide receiver talent on both sides.
Fulton has the athleticism to succeed at the next level. He is physical at the point of attack and rarely gives ground when competing for the football. Fulton is just as aggressive in run support as he is in pass coverage. He shows no hesitation in attacking downhill against the run and is always looking to deliver a hit.
Fulton is an intriguing option for a cornerback-deprived Jets team if they elect to trade back come April.
Clemson: RB Travis Etienne
With 2020’s running back class gaining steam, all eyes are on Travis Etienne to see if the Clemson back declares.
Etienne is an explosive player with the speed to be a home run threat at the next level. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry over three seasons and his blazing speed, balance and improved pass-catching skills have made him a viable option as an early second-round pick.
For Etienne to make sense for the Jets, the team would have to move on from All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell, which remains unlikely despite rumors that the team will listen on offers for the vet.
On Monday night, Etienne broke the Clemson career rushing record. Etienne ran the ball 15 times for 78 yards and a score. In addition, he caught five passes for 36 yards.
