The Jets left the 2019 NFL draft with six players.
New York followed the best player available mantra, trading up and trading down to make sure it could add an extra pick on Day 3. While the Jets roster is a lot better today than it was at the start of the draft, they failed to address the positions of center and wide receiver, which could prove to be costly.
As these rookies now prepare for their first NFL offseason, let’s take a look at each pick’s grade.
First Round: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
Grade: A-
After being unable to strike a deal to trade back, the Jets took the best player available on their board and probably the best player in the draft in Quinnen Williams.
Williams does not come at a position of need, but his overall talent and versatility give New York endless possibilities as to how it lines up defensively this season under first-year defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Williams is a dominating player who will help bring pressure to the Jets line from Day 1.
Third Round: OLB Jachai Polite, Florida
Grade: B+
The Jets swung for the fences with their first pick of Day 2. New York selected Jachai Polite out of the University of Florida, who many consider one of the best pass-rushers in this draft.
Despite his weight, poor testing and character concerns, Polite is a home run pick for the Jets if he is able to play to his level of talent. The Jets needed an edge rusher and were able to steal one on Day 2 to help bolster their defensive line.
Third Round (via MIN): OT Chuma Edoga, USC
Grade: B-
The Jets went out on Day 2 and completed the Teddy Bridgewater trade by taking Sam Darnold’s former right tackle, Chuma Edoga.
If Edoga can play consistently up to his level of talent and has his head on straight, he’ll be an effective pass protector and mauler in the run game. He’s already been compared to the likes of Kelvin Beachum and the Jets are hoping he can be a starter sooner than later.
Fourth Round (via TEN): TE Trevon Wesco, West Virginia
Grade: C+
After trading back twice, the Jets found a complementary tight end for Chris Herndon.
Wesco is considered to be one of the best blocking tight ends in this draft, but he still raw as a pass catcher. He will take Eric Tomlinson’s spot on the depth chart but is going to need to develop into more of a two-way tight end in order for this pick to be a hit.
Fifth Round (via TEN): ILB Blake Cashman, Minnesota
Grade: B+
While inside linebacker is not even close to being considered one of the Jets’ many needs, New York still sought depth behind C.J. Mosley and Avery Williamson.
Blake Cashman figures to replace Darron Lee. He can fly from sideline-to-sideline, tested very well during the pre-draft process and can be an immediate force on special teams and in coverage.
This pick has the potential to be a steal.
Sixth Round (via OAK): CB Blessuan Austin, Rutgers
Grade: D+
The Jets’ sixth-round selection was their first pick of a Rutgers player since 1967.
Blessuan Austin has been on New York’s radar, as he is a local kid from Queens, but this pick was not one of their better ones of the weekend. In fact, it was their worst. Austin has played only five games over the past two seasons due to a two-time surgically repaired knee.
New York could have gone with North Carolina State’s Kelvin Harmon or James Madison’s Jimmy Moreland but went with a cornerback with durability concerns instead.
