With the combine at the end of the month and the NFL in a holding pattern of draft buzz, Draft Wire released its latest mock, a four-rounder.
In this hypothetical, the Jets are able to reload on both sides of the football by targeting needs and finding value on Day 2 and the early portion of Day 3. Not only do the Jets find a key cog on the offensive line, but they also find multiple starters that they can plug-and-play on the offensive side of the football. At the same time, they’re able to find players who can be contributors from Day 1 of OTAs on defense.
Here’s a look at the players selected by Luke Easterling in each round for the Jets.
First Round: Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
With the Jets’ first pick, they address the offensive line and are fortunate enough that one of the draft’s top-four offensive linemen falls to them with the 11th pick.
Here’s Easterling’s explanation for the pick:
If Sam Darnold is going to live up to his full potential, the Jets need to find him a true franchise left tackle to keep him upright. Becton is a massive force with rare athleticism for his size, and while he may not be as polished as some of the other top tackles in this class, his upside gives him the nod for the Jets here.
Becton has a huge frame, standing at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds, but he’s complemented with nimble feet and functional athleticism for his size, allowing him to be plugged in at either tackle position. The Louisville product is an athletic blocker with the size, length and skill to become a top offensive lineman.
Second Round: Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State
After the Jets eventually move on from the oft-injured Trumaine Johnson this offseason, they’ll need help at cornerback.
With the addition of Damon Arnette in the second round, the Jets would be getting immediate help at the position. He considered leaving college after his junior season, but ultimately decided to stay at Ohio State for his senior campaign.
It certainly paid off for Arnette, who finished his career with a second-team All-Big Ten performance. In 13 starts, Arnette recorded 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and eight pass breakups.
Arnette possesses good awareness in space and isn’t afraid to come down and lower his shoulder in the backfield. His lack of speed could hurt him against speedy receivers, but he projects as a corner who can play both inside and outside.
Third Round (via NYG): Bryan Edwards | WR | South Carolina
As part of the Leonard Williams trade, the Jets award Sam Darnold with a weapon who possesses the size and speed to make a name for himself at the next level.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Bryan Edwards has the size to fight for tight-window throws and the speed to be a home run threat over the top. Ideally, Edwards is a perfect Robby Anderson replacement who can potentially complement someone like Alshon Jeffrey or Emmanuel Sanders in New York.
A knee injury ended Edwards’ season prematurely, but he still managed to have 53 receptions, 969 yards and nine touchdowns.
Third Round: Khalid Kareem | EDGE | Notre Dame
In this situation, it would be idealistic if Joe Douglas figures out the edge situation in free agency with the likes of Dante Fowler Jr. or Matthew Judon.
Khalid Kareem, coming off a senior season in which he recorded 46 total tackles, six sacks, 10 TFLs, three forced fumbles and 11 quarterback hits, projects to be a player who can come in as a complementary piece at defensive end.
While Kareem played as a 4-3 defensive end in college, the Jets and Gregg Williams primarily run a 3-4 defense, although the defensive coordinator claims they can play multiple schemes interchangeably.
It will be interesting to see if New York would look at Kareem as a 3-4 edge rusher or a defensive end if this projection comes to fruition.
Fourth Round: Matt Hennessy | OL | Temple
Matt Hennessy won’t be on the board when the Jets pick in the fourth round, but it’s a steal in this mock, nonetheless.
Hennessy, the brother of Jets long snapper Thomas Hennessy, would love to be teammates with his brother for the first time on a football field.
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 season, per Pro Football Focus. He graded out as PFF’s top-ranked center in the FBS this season (86.9).
