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The 2020 NFL Draft is almost here and the Jets are spending this week finalizing their draft board and talking to other teams about potential trades. With the help of Fanspeak’s NFL mock draft tool, we took another stab at what the Jets’ eight draft picks could look like next week. This one was more …
The 2020 NFL Draft is almost here and the Jets are spending this week finalizing their draft board and talking to other teams about potential trades.
With the help of Fanspeak’s NFL mock draft tool, we took another stab at what the Jets’ eight draft picks could look like next week. This one was more conventional than last week without any true surprises.
Here is our draft:
Round 1 (pick 11 overall) — OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
No curveball this week. Thomas is the last of the big four tackles left on the board and general manager Joe Douglas grabs him. Thomas started 41 games for the Bulldogs and played both left and right tackle. The Jets could start him on the left side or keep him on the right side for a year and live with George Fant at left tackle.
The ratings of the tackles are all over the map. Many consider Thomas to be the No. 4 tackle, but PFF has him rated No. 1.
The decision for me here came down to Thomas or Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy or Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson. In my mind, you can make an argument for any of the three. I think Douglas will lean toward offensive line if he has a choice to make. Protecting Sam Darnold remains priority No. 1.
Round 2 (pick 48 overall) — WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC
We took Pittman last week in the third round. Now, we grab him a round earlier. This feels like the ideal scenario for the Jets – tackle in the first round, wide receiver in the second. All of the draft experts are raving about how deep this wide receiver group is. The Jets should be able to land a quality receiver in the second round.
In this mock, TCU’s Jalen Reagor and LSU’s Justin Jefferson were taken just before the Jets pick in the second round. Michigan center Cesar Ruiz, who we selected in this spot last week, was also off the board.
The decision was Pittman or Notre Dame wideout Chase Claypool. Pittman got the nod.
Round 3 (pick 68 overall from the Giants) — C Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU
Douglas has emphasized character when he has spoken to reporters, saying he wants the Jets to have the best culture in sports. Cushenberry fits the bill. He became the first offensive lineman at LSU to be given the No. 18 jersey, which is presented to a player with high character. He could only wear it in practice since he is a lineman.
The Jets bolstered their interior offensive line in free agency, but still need some long-term answers. Cushenberry can play center or guard.
Round 3 (pick 79) — TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
I would love to take a cornerback or edge rusher here, but there were not great options in this particular mock. Kmet is considered one of the best tight ends in the draft and I was surprised to see him still available at this spot.
Tight end is not an area of need for the Jets, but I don’t think you can have enough of them (see Baltimore Ravens). Kmet is too good to pass up here.
Round 4 (pick 120 overall) — RB AJ Dillon, Boston College
A power back who racked up more than 4,000 rushing yards for the Eagles in college. The Jets have to find a back in this draft who can back up Le’Veon Bell this year and then potentially replace him in 2021.
Round 5 (pick 158 overall) — CB Josiah Scott, Michigan State
After going offense with the first five picks in this draft, here is a player for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Scott can be a backup as a rookie and then potentially more down the line.
Round 6 (pick 191 overall) — G Cameron Clark, Charlotte
A three-year starter at left tackle in college, Clark moves inside to guard as a developmental player. A two-year captain for Charlotte, he fits what Douglas is looking for.
Round 6 (pick 211 overall from the Chiefs) — Edge Chauncey Rivers, Mississippi State
This one is a bit of a character risk, but the sixth round is the place to take those. Rivers was kicked out of Georgia after multiple marijuana-related arrests. He has stayed out of trouble recently and could be a rotational player for the Jets.
