The Jets’ first choice is clear. Now, the emphasis is on what they will do with no. 23 and no. 34 in general. Jets general manager Joe Douglas has a number of different directions he can go with the election.
In the second round of the seven-round NFL, we’re dealing with two giant picks. This week we used The Draft Network’s simulated design machine to determine who will be available in the Jets. Dane Brugler’s draft guide to Athletic was used for some statistics and research points. Here is our sketch:
Round 1 (No. 2) – QB Zach Wilson, BYU
This choice does not need too much explanation. Let’s move on to the interesting ones.
Round 1 (No. 23) – CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
There’s a risk of injury here that could scare Douglas. He just had surgery on his back in March, but recently said that doctors told him he would be ready for training camp. If not for the operation, he could have been the first or second defender this year. A former high school defender, Farley is a strange athlete who could solve the corner hole for the Jets. He dropped out of the 2020 season and played that position just two years after moving there as a sophomore. However, his athletic ability may be too good to be let go.
Round 2 (No. 34) – C / G Landon Dickerson, Alabama
Doctors could make this impossible. Dickerson had major injury problems in college, with four of his five seasons ending in injury. He began his career at Florida State, becoming the first true line graduate to begin there in 1982. He broke his ACL in both knees, including his left in November. The ankle injuries ended with two more seasons. If doctors accept the choice, Dickerson could be a thief. The jets could be used either on guard or in the center.
Round 3 (No. 66) – LB Jabril Cox, LSU
Cox spent the first four seasons in North Dakota before moving to LSU last year. He’s very good in cover (nine career interceptions), which the Jets needed in defense of Robert Saleh. He was a team captain (something Douglas was looking for) in his one year with the Tigers.
Round 3 (No. 86) – RB Michael Carter, North Carolina
Jets need to be added to the running room, and Carter is an interesting prospect. He is small (5-feet-7), so he won’t do much work between attacks, but he is able to make big pieces (23 pieces of 20 meters-plus in 2020).
Round 4 (No. 107) – EDGE Victor Dimukeje, Duke
One choice after taking a Tar Heel, we go down the road for a blue Devil. Dimukeje started 49 consecutive games at Duke and had 21 ½ career bags. Saleh needs some depth on the defensive line, and Dimukeje could provide that.
Round 5 (No. 146) – WR Seth Williams, Auburn
I would have liked to get a wide receiver earlier, but this team has so many holes to fill that I waited. Williams is a value in the fifth round, as some make him go higher. He is 6 meters tall and can win contested catches.
Round 5 (No. 154) – CB Ambry Thomas, Michigan
Another choice that seeks value. Thomas was a starter for a year in Michigan and then gave up last year, but he is an athletic corner that has something on top and could play special teams early in his career.
Round 6 (No. 186) – EDGE Jonathon Cooper, Ohio
Twice team captain for the Buckeyes, Cooper missed the 2019 season with an ankle injury, but returned last year to record 24 tackles and 3 sacks in eight games.
Round 6 (No. 226) – WR Demetric Felton, UCLA
Felton played both in the back and on the wide UCLA receiver and could be a versatile offensive weapon, as the 49ers had with Deebo Samuel in this offense.