With April underway and the draft just a little over three weeks away, we at Jets Wire have joined the mock draft craze.
The Jets find themselves in an interesting position with the 11th pick. At this point they seemed destined to take a tackle or a receiver with the pick, but they have plenty of options between the two positions.
This decision all depends on what happens between now and the draft, whether that means an acquisition of a wide receiver or someone like Redskins All-Pro OT Trent Williams. Without that, the Jets would be left with starting George Fant at left tackle. The draft will now be taking place virtually, rather than in Las Vegas, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s take a look at who we think the Jets and the other 31 teams could take in the first round.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
Cincinnati doesn’t think twice about taking the top signal-caller with ice in his veins. He’s a playmaker by nature and has shades of Andrew Luck in terms of hype around the prospect.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
In another draft, Chase Young would be the No. 1 overall pick. Ron Rivera sets the tone on his defense with a dominant edge rusher who has a rare combination of explosiveness, power and speed.
3. Detroit Lions
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
The Lions stay put, taking the highest-rated cornerback prospect since Jalen Ramsey to replace Darius Slay on the outside.
4. New York Giants
Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa
The Nate Solder signing was a bust, so the Giants find their eventual heir on the left side. However, Tristan Wirfs is athletic enough to play the right side in 2020.
5. Miami Dolphins
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
The Dolphins flirted with Tua Tagovailoa all throughout the draft process, but their decision-makers decide that Justin Herbert is the safer bet.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
Landing Tua Tagovailoa is a nice consolation prize for the Chargers at No. 6. A team in win-now mode, the Chargers can hand the keys to Cam Newton or Tyrod Taylor while allowing Tagovailoa to sit and maintain his health for a season.
7. Carolina Panthers
Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
The Panthers on paper have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Isaiah Simmons is the modern archetype of a positionless defender and gives Phil Snow’s defense an immediate boost.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Jedrick Wills, Jr. | OT | Alabama
The Cardinals found their No. 1 wide receiver, but they still need to work on protecting Kyler Murray. Jedrick Wills can be the answer on the right side.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Brown | IDL | Auburn
The Jaguars fill a massive need after Calais Campbell’s departure.
10. Cleveland Browns
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
Mekhi Becton is 6-foot-7, weighing over 360 pounds, and yet, he’s nimble. The Browns find their left tackle of the future for Baker Mayfield.
11. New York Jets
Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
The Jets get lucky, as Andrew Thomas slides to them at No. 11. The University of Georgia product will start at left tackle and allow George Fant to be the swing-tackle, depth piece that New York signed him to be.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
With his route-running and slipperiness, CeeDee Lamb is an easy choice as the Raiders’ next playmaker.
13. San Francisco 49ers (via IND)
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
Kyle Shannahan parts with DeForest Buckner to get his own Odell Beckham Jr. for his offense.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
Tampa Bay finds its Breshard Perriman replacement while becoming even more dangerous on the offensive side of the ball.
15. Denver Broncos
Javon Kinlaw | IDL | South Carolina
Denver misses out on the top-three wide receivers but finds a versatile defensive lineman who can wreak havoc on its defensive front.
Picks 16-32
16. Atlanta Falcons
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
Even though Atlanta already added Dante Fowler to the fold, K’Lavon Chaisson is a bendy edge rusher who can help create a dangerous duo for the Falcons.
17. Dallas Cowboys
C.J. Henderson | CB | Florida
Dallas’ secondary is its biggest bugaboo, but C.J. Henderson can replace Byron Jones as the Cowboys’ No. 1 cornerback.
18. Miami Dolphins (via PIT)
Patrick Queen | LB | LSU
To complete the Minkzah Fitzpatrick trade, the Dolphins add an undersized but explosive middle linebacker who can command the middle of the field.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI)
Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU
Completing the Khalil Mack trade, the Raiders take a cornerback with good speed and good instincts in coverage. The TCU product is also a strong run defender.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)
Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
After trading away both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, the Jaguars add a potential No. 1 cornerback.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU
The Eagles land a massive position of need for their offense. Justin Jefferson has a wide catch radius as a slot receiver and could be another security blanket for Carson Wentz.
22. Minnesota Vikings (via BUF)
Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah
The Vikings lost Xavier Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander and Trae Waynes in free agency thus far. That’s why adding a big, physical corner like Jaylon Johnson is a must with their extra pick from the Stefon Diggs trade.
23. New England Patriots
Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
The Patriots quarterback room is a disaster at the moment. Jordan Love has all the tools; he just needs the proper coaching to fix the questions around his decision-making and ball security.
24. New Orleans Saints
Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma
Here, the Saints grab an off-ball linebacker with terrific sideline-to-sideline speed to beef up their defense.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU
This is a surprise pick at No. 25, but Jalen Reagor has shades of Stefon Diggs to his game. He would essentially be replacing him in Minnesota.
26. Miami Dolphins (via HOU)
Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
The Dolphins need help at safety and the Alabama product has the versatility and ball skills to aid Byron Jones and Xaiven Howard in coverage.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Antoine Winfield Jr. | S | Minnesota
The son of a Pro Bowler by the same name, Antoine Winfield Jr. can help bring the boom back to Seattle’s secondary.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor
Denzel Mims provides an excellent complement to Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin with his ability to stretch the field and dominate the red zone.
29. Tennesee Titans
Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
The Titans added Vic Beasley as a reclamation project, but Yetur Gross-Matos projects as a long-term fixture opposite of Harold Landry. He has the length and athletic upside to develop into an elite pass-rusher.
30. Green Bay Packers
Josh Jones | OT | Houston
The Packers have a need at offensive tackle despite replacing Bryan Bulaga with Rick Wagner. Green Bay scoops up Josh Jones after a surprising fall to the end of the first round.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Neville Gallimore | IDL | Oklahoma State
The 49ers add a powerful interior defensive lineman with the explosiveness and agility to help aid the loss of DeForest Buckner.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State
Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Chiefs are strapped for cap space. Kansas City lost Kendall Fuller and doesn’t seem primed to re-sign Bashaud Breeland, leaving Damon Arnette to come in and start opposite of Charvarius Ward.
