Like with all professional sports general managers, Jets GM Joe Douglas' draft board is hidden from public view. His rankings will assuredly differ from those of so-called media experts.
What we do know is that this draft pool is deep at the positions Gang Green most covets, with offensive tackle and wide receiver atop a rather lengthy "needs" list.
That is why there has been some speculation about whether the Jets will be trading down from their 11th slot in the first round on April 23. If Douglas believes his particular target, or one in a group of targeted players, can be secured with a later pick, why not attempt to add to his draft assets by moving down?
Before Jets fans get their hopes up, however, let's not overstate such a trade's impact. This is not 2018, when the Jets were forced to give Indianapolis three second-round picks for the right to move up three slots. In that case, swapping six-for-three allowed New York to select its franchise quarterback, Sam Darnold.
Unfortunately, the "point value" of the 11th pick, with the top QBs already off the board, is much, much lower. Using different mock draft simulators, the best I could get to move down four slots to Denver or five slots to Atlanta would be an additional fourth-round pick. If the Jets were to trade down to, say, Minnesota at 22, the return could be a third-rounder. Hardly a sure thing unless the difference in the first-round talent is miniscule in Douglas' evaluations.
Still, the following is my second go at a mock draft, this time using the proffotballnetwork.com simulator and assuming the Jets dealt their 11th pick to Denver in exchange for picks 15 and 118:
Round 1 (15th overall via Denver): Andrew Thomas, Georgia OT
The highest-ranking tackle in ProFootballFocus.com's 2020 Draft Guide, Thomas could be Douglas' long-term solution on Darnold's blind side. Somehow, he's not as highly regarded by many experts who look at professional "upside" over production. As I wrote previously, give me the guy who knows how to play over the NFL Combine warrior. That's Thomas, who allowed just 1 sack and 9 pressures in 410 pass block snaps in the SEC last season, per PFF. Of the four highly rated tackles projected to go early in the first round, Thomas may be the most ready to start right away on the left side.
Round 2 (48th overall): Jaylon Johnson, Utah CB:
For all the talk about how many fine wide receiving prospects would be available with this pick should the Jets go with a tackle in Round 1, the simulator I used took most of them off the board. The best available receiver for this slot was TCU's Jalen Reagor, who had a relatively lousy 2019 season with 43 catches and 7 drops. Reagor ran a passable 4.47 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but his exceptional leaping ability might not offset his 5-foot 11 frame against bigger pros. Better for the Jets to stick with my pick from last week, the physical cornerback Johnson, who could thrive in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' system.
Round 3 (68th overall): Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU C
With Michigan center Cesar Ruiz off the board this time, Douglas should go with the sturdy Cushenberry III, who, despite a subpar 2019 season, is a safe enough development project to succeed center Connor McGovern. According to scouts, Cushenberry III's drop in pass blocking effectiveness last season was due in large part to LSU's scheme. He's not going to lead sweeps like Nick Mangold once did, but he projects as a solid run-blocker. He's allegedly a high-character guy as well.
Round 3 (79th overall): Chase Claypool, Notre Dame WR:
Claypool would be Quincy Enunwa insurance. He's a physically-imposing, limited route runner who can break tackles, similar to Enunwa, who is trying to recover from a second severe neck injury. Though PFF credited Claypool with 7 drops last season, scouts have marveled at his catch radius. In addition, he registered a 4.42 40 time, though changing directions is not considered his strong suit. Again, I keep going back to "This is why the Jets should take their potential WR1 like Alabama's Henry Ruggs III early." I guess you can't fix everything in one draft.
Round 4 (118th overall, via Denver): Jack Driscoll, Auburn OT
Considering the glut of injuries the Jets experienced on the offensive line last season, no one can argue against hoarding. Remember that tackle George Fant's free agent contract is really only a one-year commitment. Besides, Driscoll needs to get into the weight room before he can succeed at the pro level, according to scouts. Once he does, though, he has the potential to be the future right tackle. Again, this is a guy who has produced in the SEC, allowing just 3 sacks and 12 pressures in 502 pass block snaps last season, per PFF. In 2021, let the better of Driscoll versus Chuma Edoga win the starting job.
Round 4 (120th overall): Cam Akers, Florida State RB
The Jets are rather thin at running back behind Le'Veon Bell, assuming Bilal Powell is not asked back (though it's possible—he re-signed just prior to training camp last season). I took Akers over bruising Boston College back AJ Dillon due to Akers' superior versatility. Akers' numbers were hindered by running behind a woeful offensive line, which happens to be perfect preparation for the Jets. Per PFF, he faced contact at or behind the line of scrimmage at the highest rate of any FBS back in the country. Akers' five drops aside, PFF's metrics indicate that he can be useful in the pass game, either as a receiver (30 receptions in 38 targets last season) or in blitz pickup.
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