With the NFL combine officially underway, Draft Wire released its latest mock draft, this one being four rounds with trades.
In the first round, Luke Easterling has the Jets staying put and selecting a pass rusher. From there, they fill out their roster with depth and potential playmakers despite not having a second-round pick.
Let’s take a look and see who Easterling matched with the Jets in his four-round, mid-combine mock draft.
First Round: EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky
“The Jets either need to get someone to get after the quarterback with this pick, or someone to protect their own,” Easterling writes. “In this scenario, the better value is on defense, where new coach Adam Gase lands a versatile, productive edge defender in Allen.”
Had Allen declared for the NFL draft after his junior year, he would have easily been a top-50 pick. He decided to come back to school for his senior season and bulk up, recording 17 sacks.
Allen should be a high-rising prospect at the combine after he tests well. If he is there at No. 3, the Jets have to take him and make him their impact player of the future on their front-seven.
Third Round: OT David Edwards, Wisconsin
With the Jets’ first pick on Day 2, they address the issue that is the tackle position.
David Edwards is a monster in the run game and has some really good athleticism for his size, standing at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds. He is a mauler, engaging defenders with his aggression and violent hands.
Edwards may not be ready to start on Day 1. The Jets need to find starters on Day 2 without a second round pick, but they also need three more starters and depth on their offensive line. Edwards presents himself as an interesting prospect, but only if the Jets are able to add additional Day 2 picks.
Third Round (via NO): RB Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
Benny Snell Jr. is as tough as they come.
An effective workhorse at Kentucky, Snell moved into first place on the school’s career rushing yards list. He has a balance of speed and power, which allowed him to have terrific success at the college level.
He lacks that home run hitting type of burst that NFL teams would like, but that makes him a nice compliment to Elijah McGuire and Trenton Cannon, who both possess that type of speed.
Fourth Round: WR Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
In the fourth round, the Jets find a weapon for Sam Darnold.
Anthony Johnson is the cousin of NFL players Jadeveon Clowney and Jonathan Joseph. With football running in the family, he could have left after his junior season. Johnson opted to go back to school for his senior year to be the first in his immediate family to graduate from college.
Johnson has a big frame, standing at 6-foot-2, long arms, and two seasons of consistent production with an NFL-caliber QB.
However, he seems to be a limited possession receiver in the slot and is a bit older. The Jets may want to take a younger WR who has a bit more raw potential and talent.
