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. Regardless of which position general manager Joe Douglas chooses to go with, New York will have plenty of options to choose from.
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 offensive tackle 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 in Jets Wire’s second mock draft.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
This one is a no-brainer. The Bengals get their quarterback of the future with the No. 1 pick, officially bringing an end to the Andy Dalton era in Cincinnati.
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young | DE | Ohio State
The Redskins benefit from Cincinnati’s need for a quarterback and land the best player in the draft at No. 2. With his freakish athleticism and propensity for sacking opposing quarterbacks, Young is the perfect player for first-year head coach Ron Rivera to build his defense around.
3. Detroit Lions
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
The temptation to take Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons at No. 3 is certainly there, but the Lions desperately need a cornerback after trading Darius Slay. Okudah is far and away the best corner in the draft, making this an easy pick for Detroit.
4. New York Giants
Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
The Giants need a tackle to protect Daniel Jones, but it’s hard to see Dave Gettleman passing up on a rare talent like Simmons. New York signed a handful of linebackers this offseason, but Simmons’ ability to line up anywhere on the field makes him a valuable piece.
5. Miami Dolphins
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
All signs point toward Miami trending away from Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, making Herbert the logical selection for the quarterback-needy Dolphins.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
The Chargers miss out on Herbert, but land Tagovailoa, who has a much higher ceiling. As long as he can stay healthy, Tagovailoa has the potential to become a very good starting quarterback — even if he needs a year to sit and learn.
7. Carolina Panthers
Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn
The Panthers have a need on the interior and Brown is the best defensive tackle in this year’s draft. After selecting Brian Burns in the first round last year, Brown gives Carolina a solid foundation up front to build on moving forward.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Tristan Wirfs | OL | Iowa
The Cardinals got Kyler Murray a weapon by trading for DeAndre Hopkins. Now, it’s time to get him some protection by selecting the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft. Whether it be at tackle or guard, Wirfs is primed for an elite career at the next level.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina
Jacksonville gets itself a versatile interior defensive lineman to replace Calais Campbell.
10. Cleveland Browns
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
Jedrick Wills Jr. would be the smart pick here, but the Browns have a history of swinging for the fences in the draft. Becton has the highest ceiling of any offensive tackle in this year’s draft with his massive 6-foot-7, 364-pound frame and freakish athleticism.
11. New York Jets
Jedrick Wills Jr. | OT | Alabama
The Jets get lucky at No. 11, as Wills Jr. is arguably the most refined offensive tackle prospect in this year’s draft.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
You could make a case for either of the top three wide receivers in this year’s draft class to go at No. 12, but Ruggs’ 4.27 40-yard dash speed and polished route running gives Las Vegas its own version of Tyreek Hill.
13. San Francisco 49ers (via IND)
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
Odell Beckham Jr. is believed to be an ideal fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme. With that in mind, it makes sense for San Francisco to go after the receiver that mirrors Beckham Jr.’s skillset the most.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
Tampa Bay needs an offensive tackle to protect Tom Brady. This is an easy selection for the Buccaneers to keep their offseason trending in the right direction.
15. Denver Broncos
CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
John Elway has provided Drew Lock with three dynamic weapons to work with in Cortland Sutton, Noah Fant and free agent signing Melvin Gordon. The addition of Lamb would give Denver’s second-year quarterback the electric deep threat he needs.
16. Atlanta Falcons
CJ Henderson | CB | Florida
LSU EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson once seemed like a logical selection here, but with the Falcons adding Dante Fowler in free agency, it’s clear Atlanta’s draft focus will be on replacing Desmond Trufant at cornerback.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU
Following the departure of Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuize’s regression last season, the Cowboys have a glaring need at cornerback. There will be a temptation to select Chaisson given his high ceiling, but Gladney gives Dallas a plug and play starter in the secondary.
18. Miami Dolphins (via PITT)
Josh Jones | OT | Houston
After getting their quarterback of the future in Justin Herbert, the Dolphins get the best remaining offensive tackle on the board to replace him.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI)
Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama
Make that two Alabama first-rounders for the Raiders. McKinney’s ball skills make him a natural fit in Las Vegas, as they allow Johnathan Abram to move off free safety and play more in the box.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)
Austin Jackson | OT | USC
Jackson is raw but has a high ceiling. Considering the state of Jacksonville’s offensive tackle position, he is worth taking a chance on late in the first round.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU
Eagles fans rejoice as they finally get a competent wide receiver to line up opposite Alshon Jeffery. Jefferson is an excellent value pick, as he would have been a top receiver off the board in any other draft class.
22. Minnesota Vikings (via BUF)
A.J. Epenesa | DL | Iowa
Minnesota uses the pick it got from the Bills in the Stefon Diggs trade to fill the void left by Everson Griffen’s departure. Epenesa has a dangerous mix of strength and quickness that will make him a weapon opposite Danielle Hunter.
23. New England Patriots
Yetur Gross-Matos | DE | Penn State
If the Patriots really are sold on Jarrett Stidham as their replacement for Tom Brady, Gross-Matos makes sense for New England at No. 23. Bill Belichick was able to mold Trey Flowers into an upper-echelon defensive end. Gross-Matos projects similarly.
24. New Orleans Saints
Jordan Love | QB | Utah State
Love’s tumble stops here, as Payton takes a crack at landing Drew Brees’ successor late in the first round.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Jaylon Jefferson | CB | Utah
The Vikings fill another need at No. 25 by selecting the best remaining cornerback on the board. Minnesota could be tempted to go with a wide receiver here, but with such a deep receiver class, it can afford to wait on day two for a wideout to replace Stefon Diggs.
26. Miami Dolphins
Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois
Chinn might not be a household name just yet, but a strong Senior Bowl and showing at the NFL draft combine has sent his stock flying through the roof. Think Derwin James or, to a lesser extent, Minkah Fitzpatrick when finding a comparison for the Southern Illinois product.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Antoine Winfield Jr. | S | Minnesota
The Seahawks would have liked to land Chinn at No. 27, but Winfield isn’t a bad consolation prize to fill their need at safety.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma
Murray’s old-school physicality mixed with his new-school style of play makes him a perfect fit with the Ravens. His intangibles and reputation as a leader will make him well-liked in Baltimore from day one.
29. Tennessee Titans
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
The Titans et a steal at No. 23, as Chaisson slides late into the first round. He is still a bit raw, but Chaisson is the kind of player Mike Vrabel can mold into a star coming off the edge.
30. Green Bay Packers
Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor
The Packers added Devin Funchess in free agency, but they still need help at wide receiver. Mims gives Green Bay a wideout that can take the top off the defense and get the job done running routes underneath.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Cesar Ruiz | C | Michigan
The 49ers need a cornerback, but selecting one here would be a reach. That leaves two options: trade back or address the most important position on Kyle Shanahan’s offensive line.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Queen | LB | LSU
The Chiefs will likely trade out of the first round to amass more draft capital. If they don’t, Queen is a solid fit at inside linebacker with his high football I.Q.
