There’s just one game remains on the NFL calendar Super Bowl LIV. Then, the league will officially enter the draft and free agency preparation mode. The Scouting Combine is only one month away, and just like it happens every year, many prospects will see their stock rise or drop between now and the Draft Day. The Jets, who won 6 of their last 8 games, have #11 overall pick and have needs at offensive line, wide receiver, pass-rush and cornerback.
The line was one of the worst in the league, as they gave up 52 sacks (4th worst) and struggled opening running lanes (3.3 yards per carry, tied for the worst). As WR Robby Anderson will most likely leave via free agency and Quincy Enunwa gets injured every year (missed 20 games in last 2 seasons), the Gang Green will be looking to plug the holes there as well. The pass-rush has been pretty much a problem ever since DE John Abraham was traded to the Falcons. It’s been 15 years and the Jets still can’t find a player who can consistently pressure the quarterback. Then, there’s also the cornerback position. Two years ago, the Jets gave mega millions to Trumaine Johnson who followed Muhammad Wilkerson’s path and stopped playing once he got paid. Darryll Roberts and Brian Poole ended up starting 10 games apiece for the Jets but neither one is good enough to cover number one receivers.
Today we’ll take a look at January mock drafts and what various Draft gurus think the Jets might do in the first round:
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (January 21st)
Pick 11: K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge rusher, LSU
General manager Joe Douglas is desperate to upgrade the OL, but in this scenario, the run at the position has already taken place. Chaisson is an outstanding athlete and would fit smoothly into the Jets' scheme.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News (January 22nd)
Pick 11: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
The Jets might consider a wide receiver, but they also could use a rock for their offensive line in front of Sam Darnold. Jackson (6-6, 310 pounds) has entered the first-round fray as an athletic beast garnering more attention with his Trojans tape.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (January 26st)
Pick 11: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb had three fewer receptions in one fewer game than a season ago, but he had 169 more yards and three touchdowns, and he averaged 21.4 yards per catch. With Robby Anderson and Demaryius Thomas apparently headed for free agency, the Jets get the most dynamic pass catcher in this draft class.
Draftsite.com
Pick 11: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report (January 21st)
Pick 11: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (January 23rd)
Pick 11: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisiana
Joe Douglas decides first to go offensive line to protect Sam Darnold first in what is a deep receiver class. Becton is a behemoth with high-end athletic traits and vines for arms.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (Janaury 23rd)
Pick 11: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Scouts have differing opinions on Wirfs. Some think he will play guard, some think he will play tackle. The Jets have a spot for him regardless. They desperately want to improve their offensive line, and Wirfs is the best available.
Dan Schmelzer, nflmocks.com (January 25th)
Pick 9: Jedrick Wills Jr, OT, Alabama (Jets trade with the Jaguars for #9 overall)
This 2020 NFL mock draft has gone too long without a trade. Let’s shake things up a bit. The New York Jets desperately need an upgrade at the offensive tackle position and there are three top-tier offensive tackles in this draft class. Holding the 11th pick in the draft, the Jets may find themselves just outside the range of these offensive tackles. In order to secure the player that they want, the Jets trade up two picks and snag Alabama OT Jedrick Wills Jr. here.
Wills is an absolute mauler on the offensive line who shows dominant power at the point of attack. His raw play strength and competitive toughness are elite and give him obvious upside at the next level. Wills is not the quickest or most athletic offensive lineman around, but he does move pretty well for such a big and strong players.
A dominant run blocker and promising pass protector, Wills would be an ideal pick for the Jets in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jason McIntyre, FOX Sports (January 24th)
Pick 11: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Jets fans are desperate for one of the awesome receivers in this draft, but here’s a reminder: The only receivers to go in the Top 15 and become stars in the last seven years are Amari Cooper (with his second team), Odell Beckham (on his second team), and Mike Evans (zero playoff appearances).
It’s very possible that Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb will be more AJ Green or Julio Jones than Justin Blackmon or Tavon Austin, but the bottom line is the Jets don’t need a receiver here.
Tyler Roman, NBC Sports
Pick 11: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Jedrick Wills has really shot up draft boards in the last few months. I think he’s in contention with Andrew Thomas to be the first tackle off the board.
Sam Darnold and the Jets need a quality left tackle in the worst way, and I think Wills could solve that issue. Wills has played mostly on the right side in his career but his skill set will translate easily to the left side due to his athleticism and sound technique.
Mel Kiper, ESPN
Pick 11: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Jedrick Wills looks like the dominant choice here. One mock draft went even as far as predicting the Jets trade up to get him at #9 overall. Wills is a junior who declared for the Draft on January 4th. He earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, Sporting News and Walter Camp. He was also a first-team All-SEC selection by both the AP and league coaches. Thedraftnetwork.com has Wills as #7 best player in the entire Draft whose best trait is pass protection. However, he played only on the right side and it remains unknown whether he could transition to protect Darnold’s blind side.