Joe Douglas’ first draft class as Jets general manager will be heavily scrutinized this season. After a lackluster 2019 campaign, the Jets will need their rookies to contribute immediately to bolster New York’s chances of staying competitive in both the division, the conference and the league.
The Jets cannot expect all nine picks to become starters in Week 1 and elevate the team’s chances of competing for a Super Bowl in 2020. But there are varying levels of anticipation when it comes to the production of their newest players – at least in the first three rounds.
Let’s take a look at what the Jets should expect from their 2020 draft class.
No. 11 – LT Mekhi Becton
Joe Douglas didn’t use the Jets’ 11th overall pick for a role player. Mekhi Becton should be a Day 1 starter on the Jets offensive line as the left tackle, likely with George Fant as the other tackle. Becton possesses more than ideal size, length and athleticism and he should immediately bolster the Jets’ pass- and run-blocking in 2020.
The line is in desperate need of a mauler upfront and Becton provides that and then some with his 6-foot-7, 364-pound frame. Le’Veon Bell should see the biggest benefit from Becton’s presence considering his lack of running lanes in 2019. Becton is known to knock over defenders with ease and should create ample space and time for the dynamic Bell to make magic in the backfield.
No. 59 – WR Denzel Mims
Mims is another instant impact player who will have every chance to win a starting role on the Jets offense. Mims is a high-flying wideout with great speed and catchability that should fit perfectly into Adam Gase’s offense. Mims should complement free agent acquisition Breshad Perriman on the outside and give Sam Darnold another fantastic target downfield.
The concerns with Mims aren’t with his athleticism, but with his versatility. Mims wasn’t tasked with a complicated route tree in college and could struggle early as he learns the ways of an NFL offensive playbook, especially without a traditional offseason to practice. He still has skills to start, though, and figures to play an important role alongside Perriman, Bell, fellow receiver Jamison Crowder and tight end Chris Herndon.
No. 69 – DB Ashtyn Davis
Davis’ expectations in 2020 change dramatically if the Jets trade either Jamal Adams or Marcus Maye. If one leaves before or during the season, Davis will immediately vault to a starting safety in Gregg Williams’ deep secondary and likely move around the field as a hybrid defender like Adams did in 2019.
Right now, though, Davis isn’t a starter for the Jets, but his role will be the same regardless.
The Jets drafted Davis for his versatility as a do-it-all defensive back who can play in coverage, rush the passer and stop the run. He’s fast, too, which gives him even more opportunities to make plays on defense. His rawness is the biggest question mark, though, and he’ll need time before acclimating into the defense.
No. 79 – EDGE Jabari Zuniga
Zuniga won’t be the next Khalil Mack, but the Jets won’t need him to be in Year 1. Zuniga isn’t an every-down player and the Jets won’t put too much on his plate too early as he learns how to rush against NFL offenses. He’ll likely join a collection of solid pass rushers on the edge alongside Jordan Jenkins, Tarell Basham, Harvey Langi, Frankie Luvu and undrafted free agent Bryce Huff.
Jenkins is a locked-in starter at the outside linebacker spot, but Zuniga could find his way onto the field at either linebacker or defensive end. He showed off his speed at Florida, but inconsistency and injuries plagued him in college. The Jets shouldn’t expect much out of Zuniga, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he impressed early.
No. 120 – RB LaMical Perine
The Jets drafted Perine before signing veteran Frank Gore, which should slide the rookie into the RB3 slot on the depth chart. That isn’t a bad thing for Perine, who will now get to watch and learn from Gore and Bell before the Jets integrate him into the offense.
Coincidentally, Perine’s skillset is a good mix of the two running backs in front of him and he could enjoy a late-season increase in snaps as Gore and Bell take on the bulk of the wear and tear. Perine won’t be a big part of the Jets’ offense this season, but he could be next season if the Jets move on from both Gore and Bell.
No. 125 – QB James Morgan
If Morgan sees the field in 2020, something went horribly wrong for the second consecutive year. This isn’t to say Morgan is a bad quarterback – he’s actually a great quarterback prospect for Gase’s offense – but he’ll need to beat out David Fales for the third spot on the depth chart behind Sam Darnold and Joe Flacco.
Morgan’s ability as a gunslinging pocket-passer should make it easy for him to take on the Jets’ third quarterback roster spot. He’s got the intellect, the frame and the arm to compete in camp and he’ll be able to learn from Darnold and Flacco from the sideline in his first season.
No. 129 – OL Cameron Clark
Clark has all the makings of a solid interior offensive lineman, but he’ll need to prove it in practice if he wants to move up the depth chart. He’ll be a solid backup for either Alex Lewis, Greg Van Roten or Brian Winters but won’t see much of the field unless injury strikes.
The biggest things Clark will need to work on are his hand placement and discipline on the field. If he can master those, Clark could turn into a starter down the stretch in 2020 or in 2021.
No. 158 – CB Bryce Hall
Hall fell all the way to the fifth round because of health concerns stemming from a season-ending ankle injury. If he returns to full strength, Hall could easily become a starter as an outside cornerback because of his length and athleticism. Right now, though, it’s impossible to know the status of his ankle, so expectations should be low to begin with.
He’ll need to beat out at least five other cornerbacks on the depth chart to vault into the starting job alongside Pierre Desir. That’s a big hill to climb without a traditional offseason to learn the defense. Instead, the Jets should consider Hall a high-ceiling prospect with starting potential down the line.
No. 191 –P Braden Mann
Mann will be the Jets’ Week 1 punter unless he gets injured this offseason. The Jets made Mann the first punter drafted in 2020 and decided not to keep Lac Edwards or Ian Berryman on the roster. That leaves a clear path for Mann to start and bring his booming punts to the Jets.
The Jets led the NFL in punts in 2019 with 87 but only finished 11th in the league in average yards per kick – 45.9. Mann is only a rookie, but he was one of the best punters in college during his time at Texas A&M and won the Ray Guy Award in 2018. The Jets will rely on Mann to flip the field and give their defense a fighting chance in 2020.
