The focus in preparing for the NFL Draft for the Jets naturally focused on what they will do with general election no. 2.
Now that it has become clear, as a result of the deal with Sam Darnold, that they will take BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with their first pick, it’s time to take a closer look at the Jets’ next two draft picks, which begin on 29 April.
These two choices come at a fascinating time in the project and will give general manager Joe Douglas more options. The jets have the general classification no. 23, the second first round, which they received from Seattle in the Jamal Adams transaction. They have another choice with 11 slots later at number 34, the second choice in the second round.
As critical as Wilson’s development will be for the future of the Jets, how these two choices turn out to be almost as important. The jets will be expected to develop two immediate and long-term beginners.
Douglas has done an excellent job in procuring selection projects. Now he has to hit them.
“We have a lot of assets while we’re here now, but we need to make the most of this opportunity,” Douglas said this week.
The Jets list is one of the worst in the NFL and was shown in their 2-14 record in 2020. The silver line for Douglas to have such a bad team is that GM has many options with these choices.
These are what I think the Jets’ greatest needs beyond the incoming defender will fit into this sketch, listed in order: corner defender, guard, defender, running back, curb, tight end and wide receiver. With such a long list, there are a lot of different directions in which Douglas can go.
The Cornerback is at the top of the list as their starters at the moment are Bless Austin, Bryce Hall and Javelin Guidry in the slot position. The jets need to inspire this position with more talent. The top columns will likely be on the table until 23. But with all the defenders and skill players projected to go early, players like Jaycee Horn of South Carolina and Greg Newsome of Northwestern could be there. Caleb Farley of Virginia Tech has health issues that could push him down, and Asante Samuel Jr. of Florida State could be there in the second round.
The chips must also improve inside their offensive line, and Alijah Vera-Tucker of USC is the top guard in the draft. The Jets could hope to drop to 23 or use part of that project capital (21 elections over the next two years) to move a few seats if they really like it. Two Alabama players on the move – Landon Dickerson and Alex Leatherwood – are running for 34th place.
Other players to watch in these places are: Azeez Ojulari (Georgia), Kwity Paye (Michigan) and Jaelan Phillips (Miami); runners Najee Harris (Alabama), Travis Etienne (Clemson) and Javonte Williams (North Carolina); defenders Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Notre Dame), Zaven Collins (Tulsa) and Jamin Davis (Kentucky); and wide receivers Kadarius Toney (Florida), Rashod Bateman (Minnesota) and Elijah Moore (Mississippi).
Douglas also has the flexibility in these two places to trade. Last year, there were three transactions between elections 23-26 on draft night. The Patriots actually gave the Chargers the pick last year for a second round and a third round. Douglas could buy more options, and no matter how many needs the Jets have, he might feel good about filling a smaller hole in the draft.
The top of the second round is also an area that usually shows movement. Teams spend all day on Friday thinking about which players missed the first round, and a team could be motivated to go up. The Jets may be able to regain more options.
While this sketch will eventually be remembered by Jets fans for how Wilson turns out, Douglas could advance his team if he can maximize the No. 1 pick. capital project.