It’s draft week AFC East fam! This Thursday, starting at 8pm, the future fates of the Dolphins, Patriots & Jets will begin to take form. For Buffalo fans, it sounds like you’ll be waiting til Friday per Beane. That being said it’s high time The Sideline Report release it’s own, AFC East Mock Draft. Using the draft simulator over at PFF, I compiled a full 7 round draft that even includes a few trades. Are you excited to convert your first round pick into 6 future 4th rounders Pats fans!? Joking aside, picks were based on your input here, as well as outside sites assessments of team needs and player values. Today we’ll look at the New York Jets selections with a team draft grade & assessments of why specific players were chosen through the first 3 rounds. Enjoy and wear your masks you filthy animals!
New York Jets 8 picks, 8 players selected. Grade: A+
Needs: OT, Pass Rush, WR, CB, IOL
The Jets must continue Joe Douglas’ work of fortifying the offensive line for Sam Darnold in his critical year 3. In this mock, the Jets do just that, grabbing a day 1 starter at LT in Becton and a potential starter or top reserve with Biadasz. An improved offensive line will eliminate excuses for both Darnold and Bell, and allow the Jets to comfortably move on from both next year if they can’t improve on their 2019 campaigns. With solid but not spectacular complimentary pieces in Crowder, Enunwa, Herndon and Griffin, adding a top wide receiver would be nice but in this draft the Jets settle for value at other positions and take the massive Colin Johnson as a developmental candidate. The offense’s final pick is AJ Dillon, a massive runner in the style of Derrick Henry who might latch on to a role with this team. On the defensive side of the ball, Douglas’ adds Anae, a young, high motor pass rusher for Gregg Williams and solidifies the cornerback group with the round 2 selection of Dantzler and the other AJ Green. With the Jets finalizing their offensive line rebuild and reconstruction of their cornerback group following poor injury luck in 2019, expect a leap forward with this team. New York should expect to compete for the division, and with 7 teams making the playoffs, a wild card birth is absolutely in reach.
Projected Starters: Becton (11, LT), Dantzler (48, CB)
Future Starters: Biadasz (68, IOL), Anae (79, pass rush), Johnson (120, WR)
Depth: Green (158, CB), Dillon (191, RB)
ST/Practice Squad/Cut: Samuels (211, CB)
1st Round, 11: Mekhi Becton, LT Lousiville
-Mekhi Becton at 11 wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Jets. Sure, it’d be preferred to have their choice of Lamb, Jeudy, or an OT, but in this mock only Becton remained from that group. Expect the Jets to trade back if they aren’t satisfied with the remaining tackles and both WRs are gone, but Lamb or Jeudy could easily be the pick here if they last this long.
Alternatives: Ruggs (WR), Chaisson (Pass rush), Henderson/Fulton (CB)
2nd Round, 48: Cam Dantzler, CB Mississippi State
-This pick may surprise some, but Dantzler likely ends up a day 1 starter on this hypothetical Jets team. The Jets should be looking heavily at WR, Pass Rush, and CB here, unless there’s a can’t miss prospect left at Guard. With the preferred WR and Pass Rush prospects gone in this scenario, Dantzler makes sense.
Alternatives: Davidson/Uche (Pass Rush), Claypool (WR)
3rd Round, 68: Tyler Biadasz, IOL Wisconsin
-With limited value left for pass rush help and wide receiver, the Jets take Biadasz, who might be their top rated player left at this point. While not an overwhelming need, Biadasz should push incumbent LG Alex Lewis for time and his ability at center will make him a prime backup to newly acquired Connor McGovern. New York can’t mess around with the offensive line this year, and picking Biadasz ensures they don’t.
Alternatives: T Johnson (WR), Anae/D Taylor (Pass Rush)
3rd Round, 79: Bradlee Anae, Edge Utah
-Anae was a big part of two very good Utah teams the past two seasons, racking up 21 sacks and 1st team all Pac-12 accolades each year. Now New York fills their biggest remaining need with the high motor former Ute. Anae will have a chance to make an impact for the Jets on passing downs this fall.
Alternatives: KJ Hill (WR), I Wilson (RT), Hamilton (DT)
Remaining Selections:
4/120: Collin Johnson, WR Texas
5/158: AJ Green, CB Oklahoma State
6/191: AJ Dillon, RB Boston College
6/211: Stanford Samuels, CB FSU
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