JPJ’s Mock Draft 1.0

For my Mock Draft Monday, I used the Draft network. I was unable to perform any trades. Below is a breakdown of my selections and my thought process/justification for each selection. Enjoy.

11: Jedrick Wills, OT

This was an easy selection. If this happens the NY Jets should be running to the podium

to hand in their selection. To me, Wills is the top OT in this draft class. He is getting overshadowed by Becton’s high ceiling and Wirfs incredible athleticism, but Wills has just been a dominant force on the field. He has great power in the run game, and plays very aggressive. He, to me, is above average in the pass game and would slide in instantly and start at RT, but could easily transition to LT. He was a RT in college but as we know, Tua was left handed so he was essentially his blind side protector. Douglas loves versatile lineman and Wills fits that mold while also being athletic enough to fit in Gase’s zone run scheme offense.

48: Michael Pittman Jr., WR

How could you not love Pittman coming out of USC. He’s tall, athletic, has fantastic

hands, and has enough nuance in his route tree to survive in the next level. He reminds me a lot of Keenan Allen. He has a connection with Darnold which can help with chemistry. He’s been rising up draft boards as more teams are looking at the tape. In a deep WR class, this could be a huge pick up for the Jets offense whose looking for playmakers.

68: Jaylon Johnson, CB

After filling the two biggest holes on this roster and addressing the offense, Douglas

gives Greg Williams his ideal corner. Big, physical, press corner who can thrive in Williams press man scheme. Most importantly Johnson is a great tackler. He has question marks about injury which is why he has slid down into the third round. With other players like Hall and Arnette on the board still, Jets take Johnson to help out with their secondary.

79: Julian Okwara, Edge

With a chance to get another WR, developmental prospect at OT, Jets look to pull one

out of Macs playbook and take a 3rd round OLB. Okwara is a very twitchy pass rushing OLB. Unlike Jenkins, who’s primarily known as an edge setter and run defender, Julian is a good pass rusher. He has excellent size at 6’4” and 260, he can help the Jets generate more pressure off the edge and open things up for guys like Shepard, Williams, Phillips, and Anderson.

120: Lynn Bowden, WR

This is one of my favorite prospects and the Jets were able to pick him up in round 4. KJ

Hill was still on the board and could easily have been taken here. But, with this pick, the Jets decide to select a versatile offensive playmaker who can move around the field. Similar to how Randall Cobb was used at college and Antwaan Randle El, Bowden can play QB, RB, and WR. He fills today’s new NFL weapon X position to help create mismatches all over the field. He can also help in special teams.

158: Justin Herron, OT

Herron is an experienced lineman who has experience playing LT in the SEC but can

transition to G if needed. He fits the trend of the offseason offensive linemen Douglas and Gase have added. He’s versatile, athletic, and is better in pass protection than run blocking. He is lacking in strength/power which limits him at times and has balance issues at times but is very intelligent which has helped him with positioning. At this point of the draft, he would most likely be a depth piece and if he is able to develop into a long term back up, Jets should count this as a win.

191: Jauan Jennings, WR

Big, Physical, Aggressive, YAC. All things that come to mind when watching Jennings

play. Yes, he lacks speed and quickness, but he is a big WR who has proven he is hard to take down with the ball in his hands. He makes aggressive, contested catches. His strength and playing style helps transition to blocking for him as well. Primarily will have to make his role on the roster as a special teams player if he’s lucky, WR4.

211: Rodrigo Blankenship, K

Ideally here, Jets have traded back before locking up a Kicker, but as I am unable to

trade back, I drafted him now. The Jets struggled at Kicker last year, I still have nightmares of Vedvik missing, over, and over, and over again. Let’s just stop that now and lock us up a kicker and let Boyer work his magic.

#TakeFlight