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What’s behind Door No. 3 in the 2020 NFL Draft for the Jets? Maybe general manager Joe Douglas’ decision with pick No. 11 in the first round won’t be as simple as choosing between finishing a run on four top offensive tackles (Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills and Andrew Thomas) and starting a run …
What’s behind Door No. 3 in the 2020 NFL Draft for the Jets?
Maybe general manager Joe Douglas’ decision with pick No. 11 in the first round won’t be as simple as choosing between finishing a run on four top offensive tackles (Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills and Andrew Thomas) and starting a run on three top wide receivers (CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs).
“I would not be surprised if either at No. 11 or No. 48 [second round] he traded down to get even more picks in that third-, fourth-round range,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Thursday on a conference call, “because they can really upgrade their roster in this draft at that point in time.”
Jeremiah, a former college scout, and Douglas remain close after working together in the Ravens’ front office, and there was a thought last offseason that Jeremiah might join the Jets organization.
While Jeremiah knows better than most what to expect from Douglas’ first draft class, the Jets GM’s résumé includes time under two active draft-day traders — former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
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The Falcons reportedly are interested in trading up from No. 16.
“When you look at having two third-round picks [No. 68 and No. 79], that’s where I’m excited,” Jeremiah said. “I think they can get a starter on the interior of the offensive line with one of those and a starter at wide receiver with the other pick. Joe is going to do very well in the middle rounds of this draft. That’s where the sweet spot is.”
The Jets’ extra third-rounder was acquired from the Giants in the Leonard Williams trade. The Giants are expected to start the run on first-round tackles at No. 4.
“Wirfs for a long time is what I heard there,” Jeremiah said, “but as we come down the home stretch I’m beginning to think it’s going to be Wills.”
Wills played right tackle at Alabama, protecting the blind side for left-handed thrower Tua Tagovailoa.
“Wills is just a natural knee-bender who is very explosive,” Jeremiah said. “He can get himself in bad positions and find ways to recover with his athleticism. I think he has left-tackle ability and can kick over there no problem. In the run game, he can uproot players. He’s a top-10 pick just about any year, in my opinion.”
