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What the New York Jets need to do to piece together an elite defense

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New York Jets, Jamal Adams

The New York Jets’ defense ranked among the top half of the league and was ranked as one of the top rushing defenses in all of football last season. The defense was good but not great. With the defensive line figured out and filled with depth, C.J. Mosley returning, Avery Williamson potentially returning if he is not cut, the defense can be great. They just need to fill 2 vital holes.

Cornerback

Main Options

The Jets ideal route for filling the holes at corner would be to resign Brian Poole so the slot role is filled and then go about grabbing a lead corner in free agency. The biggest issue for the Jets is avoiding tying themselves to a contract resembling the headache they just freed themselves of in Trumaine Johnson.

The free agency class is top-heavy at corner but there is depth within the lower levels. James Bradberry and Byron Jones are reportedly being targeted by the Jets. Both guys would immediately become the Jets lead corner and fill a huge hole.

Bradberry is very underrated and has been Carolina’s top corner for the past few years. The Jets reportedly believe he is the better of the two and are willing to splurge on him. I believe Bradberry would be great but he wants to be a part of resetting the cornerback market and his contract may be too pricey.

Other Options

If the Jets miss out on the top two guys, Ronald Darby, Prince Amukamara, Jalen Mills, Chris Harris Jr., and Trae Waynes are among the guys the Jets could target. Even if the Jets get one of these guys to be their lead corner, the Jets need to grab a corner in the draft as well. By doing that the Jets would have two veteran CBs and two younger options, a draft pick and Bless Austin. This would drastically change the Jets secondary and potentially make it elite depending on the additions.

Pass Rush

John Abraham was the last elite pass rusher the Jets had. Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson were both great defensive linemen but not capable of being pass rushers. The Jets drafted Jordan Jenkins a few years ago and he’s developed into a consistently good pass rusher, but he should be re-signed and used as a complementary pass rusher to a better pass rusher.

The Jets can go about filling that hole in a few ways. Free agency is an option, Dante Fowler Jr. and Markus Golden are two guys the Jets have been tied to and both would be great additions. In the draft, there are a few guys I have grown fond of in the pre-draft process. Bradlee Anae, Josh Uche, Kenny Wilekes, Curtis Weaver and Jonathan Greenard are all very talented pass rushers who could be available for the Jets on Days 2 and 3. Any of those guys would be great additions to the Jets and could be capable of becoming elite pass rushers. The Jets need to form an elite pass-rushing tandem, maybe even a trio. The overall goal needs to be an establishment of pass rush and finally getting playmakers at the edge.

The Jets need to get a few more “dawgs” and if they do that then the Jets will have an elite defense that can help lead this team to playoff contention.

New York Jets Roadmap To a Ring: Free Agency Predictions

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New York Jets, Vic Beasley

This is section three of my multi-part series dedicated to laying out a blueprint for the New York Jets this offseason. It is essentially a blueprint of what I would do if I were in Joe Douglas’s shoes. Most moves are realistic, but keep in mind; there is A LOT of offseason to go. Part three is devoted to the “dawgs” the Jets should bring in during free agency.

Estimated Cap After Resigning Players & Cuts: $47,317,397

Joe Thuney G

Estimated Deal: $14 million a year for five years

Thuney is one of the best guards in football. He hasn’t missed a single game in his career, and he’s been one of the most efficient offensive linemen. Thuney is going to command BIG money, but that’s what you have to pay to get the best. Douglas needs to splurge and get a beast to pair with Alex Lewis on this offensive line. This would be a phenomenal move.

Ronald Darby CB

Estimated Deal: $5 million a year for two years

Darby was a very talented corner for the Eagles, but he had an awful campaign last year. He still has potential mainly because he played banged up most of last year, and in a Gregg Williams defense, Darby should be successful. Offensive line was prioritized, so the Jets subsequently miss out on Bradberry and Jones in this scenario, but the low-cost option in Darby is a good one.

Vic Beasley EDGE

Estimated Deal: $7.5 million a year for three years

Beasley is an underrated productive edge rusher. In his career, he’s had 37.5 sacks. He had eight sacks last season, and he is a major Swiss Army knife that Gregg Williams would love to have. Adding two low-cost, efficient players in Darby and Beasley immediately improves the defense. Pairing Beasley with Jenkins could be the edge-rushing answer for the short term.

Demarcus Robinson WR

Estimated Deal: $4 million a year for two years

Robinson can be a cheap asset for this team, and he allows for draft flexibility. Robinson would be able to slot in with Crowder, Doctson, and likely two draft picks and immediately become a vital piece of the offense. Gase would be able to have fun with a young receiver like Robinson, who is a dynamic playmaker.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai OL

Estimated Deal: $9.5 million a year for four years

Vaitai is an underrated value signing that I would be ecstatic for. Vaitai is a Super Bowl Champion who filled in admirably for Jason Peters in the past. Vaitai is versatile and has a connection to Douglas. By signing Vaitai, you add a starting-caliber lineman who can play wherever. Adding a guy like him makes Beachum less important and nearly expendable. Beachum could be a reliable mentor at left tackle for a rookie and excellent backup. Overall, Vaitai and Thuney immediately makes the offensive line more suitable for Sam Darnold. With the two of them, Alex Lewis, Chuma Edoga, and Kelvin Beachum, the Jets have a solid offensive line before the draft, where I plan to try to add two more linemen. This eases pressure, however, and makes offensive line less prioritized.

EDIT: Kelvin Beachum resigning becomes unnecessary, but in this case, I worked it into the team as depth.

Overview:

This would be a great free agency for the Jets. They would add two great offensive linemen and three low risk/high reward players. All of these moves lead up to the big event… the Draft.

Top Candidates to Replace Atkinson as Brooklyn Nets Next Head Coach

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New York Knicks, Jason Kidd

With one of the more shocking decisions in recent memory, the Brooklyn Nets decided to “mutually” part ways with Head Coach Kenny Atkinson earlier today. Atkinson has been Brooklyn’s coach for the last four years and was a significant contributor to the change in culture during his tenure, resulting in a playoff appearance last year for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

The speculation among Nets Twitter surrounding general manager Sean Mark decided that superstar players Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were not on board with Atkinson as the Head Coach for next season. While zero reports would validate that assumption, many fans could point to the early on-court disconnect between Atkinson and Kyrie during the season and the underwhelming performance of the team as a whole. Ironically, this decision comes on the heels of one of the best performances from Coach Atkinson and the Nets all season, as they manhandled the Spurs last night, 139 – 120. Jacque Vaughn will finish out the season as the team’s interim head coach.

Here is a list of plausible candidates to replace Atkinson:

Royal Ivey, Current Position: New York Knicks Assistant Coach

How do you make your newly acquired superstar happy? By hiring his best friends. With the dismissal of Atkinson, the Nets have shown that they are willing to cater more towards their superstars than trust in the culture and decision making that got them here. That is why I can easily see Sean Marks going after one of Kevin Durant’s closest friends in Royal Ivey. Ivey briefly played with KD in OKC and was an assistant coach for the Thunder from 2016-18, before joining the Knicks coaching staff two years ago. This move would make the most sense if Mark’s primary goal is to please KD with the new hire.

Jacque Vaughn, Current Position: Interim Brooklyn Nets Head Coach

Vaughn has close ties to the Nets organization; he’s been with the team since 2016 as an assistant coach and played behind Jason Kidd as the backup point guard from 2004 – 2006. Vaughn has championship experience as a player, winning a title with the Spurs in 2007. He also has experience as a Head Coach, when he coached the Orlando Magic from 2012-2015. Since he’s the interim coach for the remainder of the season, KD, Kyrie, and Marks will have front row seats to observe how he operates and communicates with players.

Jason Kidd, Current Position: Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach

Does anyone think the Nets aren’t crazy enough to bring Kidd back into the fold? Everyone knows he’s itching to be a head coach again. He seems to get along with most superstar players. Just ask Giannis Antetekumpo, who almost went to war with the Bucks for letting Kidd go a few years ago. And if the Lakers win the championship this year, they will be forced to keep Frank Vogel as Head Coach, who many thought was meant to be a placeholder for Kidd to take over down the line. While Kidd’s first tenure as coach of the Nets had its ups and downs, I wouldn’t put it past Marks and upper Nets management to bring back the most important Net of all time.

Becky Hammon, Current Position: San Antonio Spurs Assistant Coach

How great of a story would this be? The Brooklyn Nets hire the first female Head Coach in NBA history and then go on to win the championship in her first year as coach. This might be a reality come next year. Hammon has been under the Greg Popovich coaching tree for four years, where guys like Brett Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Mike Brown, and Jacque Vaughn have all gotten Head Coaching opportunities from being Spurs assistants. As a 15 year WNBA veteran, she’s extremely knowledgeable of the game, young enough to relate to the players, and might be the perfect coach for a team with championship aspirations.

Jay Williams, Current Position: ESPN/ABC analyst for multiple shows

I know this candidate is out of left field, but please hear me out. Williams has been closely linked to Kevin Durant for over the past year. When Durant got hurt, it was Williams who spoke to the media on behalf of KD throughout the process. When KD made his decision to sign elsewhere, Jay Williams was right there, taking interviews on Sportscenter, explaining why there was no ill will between Kevin Durant and the Warriors. Williams also has strong ties to Duke, Kyrie Irving’s alma mater. At 38 years old, he would be one of the youngest coaches in the league, giving him ample time to win multiple championships and create a dynasty in Brooklyn.

The New York Jets Draft Dilemma

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New York Jets, Sam Darnold

This offseason is a very important one. Last offseason the New York Jets splurged on two big-ticket items, MLB C.J. Mosley and RB Lev Bell. Joe Douglas, according to many around the league, will not operate that way. The expectation is that as a former offensive lineman, Douglas wants to build from the trenches. If you look back at how his mentors, Howie Roseman, Eric DeCosta, and Phil Savage have operated, they’re big value guys. Expect Joe to find value in free agency, but with a premium pick in the oh draft, his biggest decision will be at pick 11.

Do they upgrade at the offensive line?

The Jets offensive line has been disastrous for the past few years. They haven’t invested a premium draft pick on an offensive lineman since the days of Ferguson and Mangold. The Jets need to find their anchor at left tackle for the future. This draft class has 4 great offensive tackle prospects that can go in the first 15 picks. Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Willis, and Andrew Thomas are all great offensive lineman prospects, one SHOULD be in the green and white. The overwhelming consensus is that even if the Jets upgrade the offensive line in free agency, they will still pick an offensive lineman at 11. This should be the way to go, but what if all 4 guys are off the board when the Jets are on the clock?

Do the Jets get a weapon?

Ceede Lamb and Jerry Jeudy are phenomenal wide receivers. Both guys will have a lot of success at the next level. However, even with the loss of Robby Anderson seeming more and more likely, the Jets shouldn’t pick a receiver at 11. Most years, it would probably be tough to pass on two great talents, or even Henry Ruggs, who could be an option at 11 as well, but this year’s wide receiver class is one of the best ever. Many analysts believe that starting-caliber receivers will be available all the way until Day 3. The New York Jets have a 2nd Rounder and two Thirds and should capitalize on the depth in the class in those rounds. If the Jets don’t have the opportunity to grab one of those 4 offensive linemen, then they should look to trade back into the backend of the first round and grab an offensive lineman like Austin Jackson or Josh Jones.

Overall, the offensive line is the biggest weakness of the Jets in this offseason. Upgrading it is vital and should be prioritized over adding a wideout in the first round. So, Joe Douglas, it’s time to build from the trenches and build a wall around Sam.

New York Jets: Roadmap to a Ring, Resignings

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New York Jets, Jamal Adams

I started a series for every New York Jets offseason called Roadmap to a Ring. This series is essentially a blueprint of what I would do if I was in Joe Douglas’s shoes. Most moves are realistic but keep in mind, there is A LOT of offseason to go. So part one of this series is dedicated to what players should return to the New York Jets next season.

Estimated Cap: $52,617,397 per Sportrac

Estimated Cap After Resigning Players: $20,117,397

Kelvin Beachum T

Beachum is a reliable veteran offensive lineman. Last season according to PFF they gave him a grade of 67.1. He only allowed 4 sacks last year, was penalized and he only missed 3 games. If they can sign Beachum to a one year deal with a low cap hit then this move would be a good one just to keep stability in Sam’s protection for year 3. Estimated Salary: 6 million

Alex Lewis G

Alex Lewis was a Joe Douglas trade for late-round compensation. Lewis played 15/16 games and had 12 starts. He was flagged 6 times and allowed 2 sacks. Lewis was reliable and was a very efficient blocker. A short term deal wouldn’t be a good move here with Lewis. Lewis is reliable, likely cheap and could be another good piece to bring back that adds versatility on the line. Lewis is a guy who Douglas took a flier on and he’s earned another deal. Estimated Salary: 3 million

Neville Hewitt LB & James Burgess LB

This comes down to three guys and the best two get to stay. Copeland produced last season but not at the level Hewitt and Burgess did. Burgess and Hewitt were very exceptional players and can be good depth guys or compete for a starting spot if Avery Williamson is released. Both are great to keep on the roster and provide versatility to handle Copeland being let go. Estimated Salary: 3 million each

Jordan Jenkins OLB

Jenkins has come along very nicely for the Jets. In the past two seasons, he’s improved his pass-rushing and developed into a legitimate complimentary pass rusher. If the Jets neglect to add another pass rusher in free agency or the draft, then keeping Jenkins likely makes him the best pass rusher on the team heading into next season. He had 8 sacks, 2 FFs, 9 TFLs, and 32 total tackles. He’s been a constant producer and deserves a solid contract to return for next season. Estimated Salary: 12 million (right in between what Preston Smith of the Redskins who had similar production earns)

Brian Poole CB

Poole was brought in to be a compliment to Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts and ended up being far and away from their best corner this year. He would be an excellent piece to bring back and shouldn’t command a big deal. Despite missing time, Poole finished with 59 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 INT & 1 FF. Poole was a great asset and should return. Estimated Salary: 5.5 million

Goodbye to Robby Anderson

Although Robby has been a great player for the Jets for the past few seasons, he’s not a number one receiver. The Jets can’t be handing out WR 1 money to a guy who albeit talented, isn’t the answer as a WR 1. So goodbye Sun God, you’ll be missed.

New York Jets: Cuts are the roadmap to a ring

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New York Jets, Jordan Jenkins

This is part two of my multi-part series dedicated to laying out a blueprint for the New York Jets offseason. It is essentially a blueprint of what I would do if I was in Joe Douglas’s shoes. Most moves are realistic but keep in mind, there is A LOT of offseason to go. Part two is devoted to the Jets who should be released.

Estimated Cap: $52,617,397 per Sportrac

Estimated Cap After Resigning Players & Cuts: $47,317,397

Trumaine Johnson CB

Hey Hey Goodbye! Tru is certainly not a fan favorite, nor my favorite. He hasn’t produced for the Jets at all, he seemed to give up once he cashed in and has been a headache since joining the team. The best thing to do would be to cut him for both parties. Cutting Trumaine would free up 3 million dollars.

Brian Winters G

Brian Winters has been a New York Jet for what feels like a while. Winters has been a stable part of the organization and a reliable locker room guy. His production on the field last season was not very good and he’s had injury issues in the past as well. Along with the fact that an improvement can be found elsewhere and how much cap they would free up is tantalizing. It is very likely Winters won’t return. Cutting Brian Winters would save 7.3 million dollars.

Darryl Roberts CB

Although Roberts adds special teams depth, he never really fit within Gregg Williams system. He was always a guy Bowles and Maccaganan seemed to agree on and he stepped up occasionally but his cap hit is too high for a special team guy who really hasn’t impressed the new staff at corner. Roberts is likely on his way out. Cutting him would save 5.8 million dollars.

Josh Bellamy WR

Bellamy was brought in to be a big special teams guy and an extra depth receiver. Bellamy missed time and his contract seems significantly overpriced. The Jets would free up 2.25 million by letting him go and it would likely be the best thing to do since he was Maccaganan a guy.

Avery Williamson LB

I love Avery Williamson, so, don’t get me wrong, this would sting. However, Avery is expendable and Douglas will likely want to trust one of either Neville Hewitt, James Burgess or Blake Cashman or all 3 in a rotational role, to fill his spot. Avery and C.J. Mosley are currently 2 of the highest-paid players on the Jets and letting go of Williamson, although painful, would allow them to fill other holes. Cutting Williamson would free up 6.5 million dollars.

Quincy Enunwa WR

Quincy Enunwa showed genuine flashes of talent when healthy. He produced inconsistently, however. Maccaganan rewarded him with a big-money deal that becomes fully guaranteed after March 22nd. Enunwa has Spinal Stenosis and also had a public issue with the Jets following a $27,000 fine for missing treatment. It’s safe to say that this divorce will be messy, especially if he fails his physical because then Quincy can file an injury grievance. If all goes well, the Jets would free up 2.4 million by cutting Enunwa.

Report: New York Jets In Running For CB Byron Jones

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New York Giants, Byron Jones, Dallas Cowboys

Byron Jones is a freak athlete at corner who has been a very good player in the NFL. As the Cowboys plan to prioritize Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper over him, he’s heading to free agency. The former all-star is expected to have lots of interest.

Jets In Running

Per Adam Schefter: The Jets, Eagles, Giants, and Raiders are all in the running for Byron Jones. Jones would immediately become the Jets number one cornerback and if paired with back issues. Jones would be an absolutely perfect fit with Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye because of how athletic the three are. Jones would be an ideal Gregg Williams player and if the Jets are going to splurge on a defensive player in free agency, Jones wouldn’t be a bad guy. The only concern that I have about making a move for Jones, is that the last big contract that the Jets handed out for a corner, didn’t end to well. If the Jets feel confident that Jones is an exception and will not come back to bite them in the butt than I am all for this move.

Where Will He Go?

Byron Jones is going to command a hefty deal. With Joe Douglas likely going to prioritize offensive line and building around Sam, I can’t see him in the green and white, although I would be thrilled. I do see him landing in Philly because they are in dire need of a number one corner and have the money to afford Jones.

New York Jets: Aldon Smith Is Worth A Flier

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New York Jets

Aldon Smith was the 7th overall selection of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was a prolific pass rusher for the early part of his career. After troubles with the law and suspension from the NFL, Aldon Smith has disappeared from the football world. According to Jay Glazer, Smith is preparing for a comeback and he is sober. Barring reinstatement, Aldon Smith could be worth a shot for the New York Jets. 

Aldon Smith Was REALLY Good

Aldon Smith was a prolific pass rusher for the bulk of his shortened career. In his rookie season, Aldon put up BIG numbers. Smith had 37 tackles, 13 TFLs, 14.0 Sacks, 4 PDs, 2 FF & 1 FR. His game wrecking ability was prominent early and high expectations were exceeded in year 2. Aldon Smith was both an All-Star and a member of the First All-Pro Team in 2012. Smith had 66 tackles, 19.5 Sacks, 18 TFLs, 1 PD, 3 FF, & 1 INT. Smith lit up the stat sheet and was a top defensive player in all of football. However his off the field issues began to be an issue in 2013. After 4.5 sacks in his first 3 games, Smith was arrested for driving under the influence and marijuana possession. Smith went through rehabilitation and returned after missing 5 games. He was in a limited role and ultimately finished the season strong when his role grew back to regular size. He finished the season with 34 tackles, 11 TFLs, 8.5 Sacks, 1 FF & 1 FR. Despite the limited time, his performance was impressive especially after battling back from drug issues. He seemed like a success story but issues worsened. Smith has suspended nine games for substance abuse policy violations. Upon reinstatement, he had 2.0 Sacks, 15 tackles and 4 TFLs. He had a limited role and after more legal issues in the offseason, he was released. After a short and unimpressive run with Oakland, his run came to an end when he has suspended again and at this time has not received reinstatement.

The Jets Could Use Him

According to Jay Glazer Smith is clean and ready to return. The New York Jets are in a situation where they should take as many fliers on inexpensive pass rush solutions as possible. Smith would fit into a Gregg Williams defense and likely have a lot of success. Having only played a few seasons and only being 30, Smith is still in his athletic prime. The Jets could get him on a solid deal and pair him with a free agent acquisition and Tarell Basham and begin to build a solid edge rush. This could be a pipe dream but Aldon Smith would be a great flier for the Jets to take.

NY Jets Mock Draft 1.0 Rounds 4-7

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Welcome back to my 1st mock draft attempt of 2020. The goal is to improve the Jets and give them pieces that hopefully lead them to an improvement from 7-9 next year and success in the foreseeable future. In the first 3 rounds of this mock, the Jets added a star wideout, a beast of an offensive lineman, a linebacker with big potential and a potential replacement for Lev Bell. Using The Draft Network Mock Draft Simulator and taking the best players at each position based on needs, potential, and more here is an early projection of what the Jets draft could look like.

Round 4 Pick 110: Trajan Brady CB Miami

The Jets will have some big cornerback decisions in this upcoming offseason. Trumaine Johnson will likely be on his way out. They have other free agents like Brian Poole as well. Poole should be brought back. Arthur Maulet and Bless Austin have shown flashes but the Jets need another corner. Trajan Brady would be an excellent slot corner or rotational cornerback in the future. Brady is FAST and can keep up with a lot of receivers in coverage and support blown coverages. Brady is very undersized but if he can figure out ways to use it to his advantage in the future then he can be a very solid NFL player.

Round 5 Pick 140: Yasir Durant OL Missouri

The Jets need to not only upgrade the offensive line in free agency and with an early-round pick but also in the late rounds as well. Yasir Durant is a raw prospect but one who could easily become a top offensive lineman for this squad. In 2018, Durant allowed fewer QB pressures then both Jawaan Taylor and Jonah Williams, two top linemen from last year’s draft. Durant is the kind of player that with development from a solid offensive line coach, could be a very good NFL Starter. Durant could be a very good value pick in the 5th round and a good piece for the future.

Round 6 Pick 171: Denzel Mims WR Baylor

One of my favorite picks in this draft is Denzel Mims. Mims is a 6’3 receiver with electric speed. Mims can be a monster in the red zone and also be a significant deep threat. He has the makeup of a superstar receiver and his only flaw is some minor technical issues. If Mims can iron some of those issues out with help from offensive assistant Hines Ward and WR Coach Shawn Jefferson then Mims has the potential to contribute early and in a big way. Mims has the potential to be one of the best wide receivers in this class and adding him could immediately help the offense, both now and in the future.

Round 7 Pick 202: Big Kat Bryant EDGE Auburn

Big Cat Bryant is a really good athlete. He has not played a lot at Auburn and only has 6.5 sacks in the three seasons he spent there, but the way he’s utilized at Auburn significantly drops his stock. Although Bryant is athletic enough to drop into coverage, has sideline to sideline speed and has solid pass rushing abilities, they play him at defensive end. If Bryant was switched to outside linebacker, his production would immediately increase. That type of athlete in a Gregg Williams defense would be fun to watch. Bryant would fit well in this defense as a rotational linebacker but if he’s a defensive end I don’t know how long he’ll stay on an NFL roster. This would be a potential based pick that the Jets should make.

Summary

The Jets added a speedy cornerback with the potential to be a solid slot corner. They added an offensive lineman with the potential to become a very good start with some technical refinement. They grabbed one of the best wideouts in college football from this past year who could immediately contribute. Lastly, they added an edge rusher with solid potential as a rotational pass rusher. Their Day 3 picks matter just as much as their Day 1 picks. Joe Douglas often has a lot of success in identifying talented Day 3 picks as seen with some of the Eagle’s previous pickups. These are 4 additions that could help the roster significantly and the whole draft class would be one to be proud of for the Jets.

New York Jets Mock Draft 1.0 Rounds 1-3

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The Jets officially locked down their position for the 2020 draft. They could have a compensatory pick added if the Giants bring back Leonard Williams but for the time being, this is where they’ll pick. Using The Draft Network Mock Draft Simulator and taking the best players at each position based on needs, potential, and more here is an early projection of what the Jets draft could look like.

Round 1 Pick 11: CeeDee Lamb WR Oklahoma

Robby Anderson seems inclined to look for the best possible destination to play both competitive football and get paid around $10 million a year. It remains to be seen whether or not the Jets will bring him back next year. With or without him on the roster, CeeDee Lamb would be an excellent addition. In this scenario, all three premier offensive line prospects were off the board. Lamb was the most talented player available and he projects to be a Deandre Hopkins Esque wideout at the next level. His route running could be improved but he’s a dynamic number one receiver type who can stretch the field and provide significant YAC potential with every catch. Adding Lamb would be an excellent weapon in Darnold’s arsenal for the future.

Round 2 Pick 48: Mekhi Becton OT Louisville

Adding Becton, especially in the second round would be a STEAL. Becton is a 6’7 369-pound beast who could immediately provide an upgrade at left tackle. Becton has the potential to be a Star left tackle who can produce in a big way at the next level. His size makes him an excellent pass protector and his mauling style of blocking makes him a beast in the run game. Adding Becton would be the type of move that would immediately gain Joe Douglas a lot of fans.

Round 3 Pick 68: Zack Baun EDGE Wisconsin

Zack Baun can be the type of piece that Gregg Williams would have a lot of fun with. He plays with a lot of heart and has a very high football IQ. He’s a smart pass rusher and a damn good one. He had 12.5 sacks last year for Wisconsin and deserves significant Draft attention. Baun is not a perfect player but he’s the kind of player with the potential to be a captain of the defense in the future and play a TJ Watt style role in the defense. Baun would be a great pick for the Jets at 68 and would immediately slot in as a rotational pass rusher.

Round 3 Pick 78: Najee Harris RB Alabama

If Lev Bell is still in the picture come April the Jets may be reluctant to take a half back. However, I don’t foresee Bell being a Jet come April. Najee Harris is the next good running back churned out of a school that’s produced so many talented backs over the past few years. He’s never been a lead back and if Bell is still around he would be a good complementary back. If he is the lead back then he will need to grow into the role over time and develop as a pass-catcher. Overall though he’s a talented running back with good size. He reminds me of Matt Forte and if he can be any bit as good as him then the Jets will have found themselves a nice weapon for Sam Darnold.

Summary of Rounds 1-3

The key point of the first three rounds was getting protection and weaponry for Darnold that will grow with him as well as adding an edge rusher with a lot of potential at the next level.