Jets 2018 NFL mock draft: Josh Rosen heads to the big apple

In this 2018 NFL mock draft for the New York Jets, they draft quarterback Josh Rosen, select a good tight end in Round 3, and address other areas of need.

Before free agency came and went, I predicted the New York Jets wouldn’t sign Kirk Cousins, and I released a mock draft prior to free agency beginning. I had the Jets selecting UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen with the 6th overall pick, and that leads me to the biggest trade for the New York Jets since Darrelle Revis was traded to Tampa Bay.

Last Saturday morning, the Jets traded their 2018 first round pick, both second round picks, and a 2019 second round pick, for the Indianapolis Colts’ 1st round pick, 3rd overall, in the 2018 NFL Draft. Yet after this trade and free agency, I still believe Rosen will be the quarterback selected by the Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Jets did some interesting things during free agency, signing quarterbacks Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, to start most of the 2018-2019 season, and to be veteran leaders to the rookie quarterback. The Jets also made a blockbuster signing by getting cornerback Trumaine Johnson, agreeing to a five-year deal.

Avery Williamson the former Tennessee Titans linebacker will replace Demario Davis next season at the inside linebacker position. Finally, the Jets also added former Browns running back Isaiah Crowell, former Chiefs and Bears kicker Cairo Santos, and former Redskins Center Spencer Long, all of whom are expected to either be starters or get serious playing time.

As this point during the offseason, the Jets still have major needs at several positions. I think the Jets could use another offensive linemen or two, they could also use an edge pass rusher or two, and they need to add a new tight end.

In addition to all the draft coverage you will find here at The Jet Press, please also visit Walter Football, DC Pro Sports Report, and EDS Football. Let’s get right into my latest mock draft for the Jets.

The Jets got rid of three 2nd round picks, to move up three spots, to hopefully have the opportunity to draft Rosen. In my opinion, he is the most NFL ready quarterback, yet I wouldn’t expect him to start right away for the Jets or any other team as of right now.

Rosen has been ridiculed for his “love of the game” but if you watch his game against Texas A&M you will realize that’s nonsensical. Why would Rosen be going through this extremely difficult process, with two prior concussions, and still not “love the game,”?

Rosen may be brash, extremely intelligent, and have other life interests, but guess what, he’s the best guy for the Jets. He has the build, the mind, and the arm, and if you give him the opportunity to get healthy and sit under McCown and Bridgewater, he’ll be ready to be THE GUY come 2019.

Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates was able to give Jay Cutler his best season, while in Denver, in which the Broncos were 2nd in the NFL on offense that year. I believe Bates can groom Rosen to be the Chosen One for the Jets.

Next: Round 3 - Adding a new tight end to the mix

Do the Jets need a tight end? No. Should they draft one? Yes. Currently, the Jets don’t have any name-brand tight ends and by that I mean the Jets do not have a big-name tight end.

Mark Andrews is one of the rare, soon to be, NFL players to have type 1 diabetes, and it’s controllable, like Jay Cutler, yeah who knew Cutler had type 1 diabetes? Andrews’ has the ability to look like a wide receiver in open space after catching the ball.

Andrews is 6’5 but outweighs most wide receivers by fifty pounds. In his senior season, he caught 62 passes for 958 yards from the Heisman winning quarterback and maybe future Jet, Baker Mayfield.

Andrews is a red zone threat, scoring a touchdown every 5 catches and he averaged 15.8 yards per catch, which means he makes defenders miss and can be a down the field threat. Overall, I think Andrews makes sense for the Jets, adding talent to the receiver options and could be a friendly target to Mayfield if the Jets do end up drafting him.

Next: Round 4 - Bolstering the offensive line

Braden Smith is 6’6, and weighs 303 pounds, and has the ability to be extremely athletic down the field for a guard. Smith can play inside at the guard position but can add depth to the left and right tackle positions as well, something the Jets could use, depth across the offensive line.

Smith has long arms and thick legs and has the ability to stop bull-rushing defensive linemen. I think he’ll struggle against edge rushers so I would keep him inside going up against the big boys up front.

He has to work on his eyesight and turning his head as he misses blitzing linebackers at times, and he did struggle in the bigger games, so I wouldn’t say Smith would come in and be able to start from day one. I would consider Smith to be more of a project player with the potential to start down the line.

Overall, I think Smith adds the depth the Jets need, he’s athletic and can play multiple positions. There would be no need for him to start right away and that’s a good thing for a developmental fourth-round pick.

Next: Round 5 - Adding more cornerback depth

Not the quickest corner but has the potential to be developed into a future starter. He’d be a solid pickup alongside former teammate Marcus Maye to continue adding quality talent to the Jets defensive secondary.

The Jets currently have an extra spot for a rookie cornerback, especially after last year’s corner picks Jeremy Clark and Derrick Jones didn’t even hit the field. I think the Jets can have a shutdown secondary with the addition of Trumaine Johnson and two safeties entering year two, adding Dawson will add more competition to the already competitive secondary group.

Dawson completely stopped top wide receiver candidate Christian Kirk, and Dawson has allowed less than 40 percent completion rate in each of the last two seasons. Dawson isn’t going to athletically beat you, or show you that he’s athletically a freak because he’s not.

He brings consistency from the corner position and can play man or zone. He has the potential to become a starting nickel cornerback but for now, I just think the Jets need to add more to the secondary so we don’t have to rely on free agents moving forward.

Next: Round 6 - Adding another defensive lineman

I am a listener of the Stick to Football Podcast, and I highly urge you to become a follower and listener. Those guys are all over Poona Ford in the 6th and 7th round, so I figured why not have the Jets add a position they need, plus a guy who has all the hype?

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At 5’11, 303 pounds, you wonder where Ford fits on the defensive line, yet a lot of the times he’ll be right over center at the nose tackle or defensive tackle spot. He’s more of a 4-3 defender, but I think the Jets could turn him into a situational defender and or a nose tackle for the future.

When you get into the 6th or 7th round, you really can’t say whether or not a guy will succeed, that’s why I like to draft guys who had great college careers, and or have great motors. Ford has a great motor and is a great teammate.

The Jets have had a weird defensive line over the past few years after looking like they might have one of the best lines ever at one point. I think the Jets should add a defensive lineman at some point during the draft, but with two fewer picks, there’s no guarantee.

Next: Round 7 - Adding a new special teams return man

The Jets used to have one of the better special teams in the league, but since the current New Orleans Saints special teams coach Mike Westhoff retired from the Jets years ago, it’s been pretty bad. Braxton Berrios is a great kick and punt return man who can play on special teams on both sides and can at best turn into a great slot receiver for the team.

The Jets have tried year after year to add talent to the receiving core and special teams game, yet have struggled in finding those versatile guys. Berrios is going to get a chance by a team to be a return man and maybe develop into a slot receiver, so why shouldn’t the Jets give him such an opportunity?

I mean, if you type in Berrios NFL comparison, you’ll get Danny Amendola, so that should tell you everything about who he plays like and what he could develop into. Don’t think about what Berrios can’t do, and think about the potential he has as a slot receiver and a return man.

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Overall, the Jets just need to add playmakers across the entire field, they do not usually do well in the turnover differential, and never have athletic guys making freak plays, Berrios can add versatility to the offense and special teams. When you think Jets special teams you think Leon Washington and the late Joe McKnight, now let’s move forward and think Berrios.