Jets 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Baker Mayfield is future of franchise

In this 2018 NFL Mock Draft, the New York Jets boldly select quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 3 overall pick and address other areas of need.

In this 2018 NFL Mock Draft, general manager Mike Maccagnan and the New York Jets give the fans what they want in Round 1. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, they finally add a top-tier quarterback, as well as pass rush help, along with adding skill position players in the later rounds.

The Jets are a few days away from taking the quarterback that could change the franchise for the next decade. From what it looks like, Gang Green still hasn’t come to a final decision on who their guy will be. Rumors are getting tossed back on forth on social media.

In this mock, the Jets take a gamble. Maccagnan changes his ways and goes for the most polarizing prospect in this entire draft. He finally avoids the developmental quarterback and goes for the man who can walk in Week 1 and start. Here is my full seven-round mock draft for Gang Green. 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.

That’s right folks. Broadway Baker becomes a reality in this mock draft. Mayfield’s visit with the Jets went well, and he is loved by the entire front office. The Jets go with Mayfield over Josh Rosen and Josh Allen with the third overall pick.

Mayfield has the winning mentality anyone would want in a leader. Yes, he can occasionally become a little cocky and conceited, but why not? When you wreak havoc on the entire FBS, you might as well act like it.

Mayfield dominated at Oklahoma, leading the team to a College Football Playoff appearance. Mayfield dropped 14,607 yards, 130 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions during his four-year college career. For those who want to know, that is approximately 4:1 touchdown-interception ratio. Tom Brady has a career ratio of approximately 3:1 interception ratio.

Enough with the strong-armed projects. The Jets finally change things up and take a player who can walk right into the building and the lead the team to the NFL Playoffs. Mayfield has drawn comparisons to Drew Brees because of his excellent accuracy and his height. Brees also played in the spread offense, so those concerns are a bit overblown.

Mayfield will bring a mentality that this offense hasn’t seen in what feels like forever. He brings a winning mentality this Jets team needs more than ever.

Next: Round 3 - Bolstering defensive line

The Jets haven’t had an elite pass rusher in what feels like centuries. They look to USC standout Uchenna Nwosu to fill the role and complete this revamped defense.

Nwosu is filled with upside. He may not be an impact player for his first year or two, but this dude has got it. He is a tremendous athlete. If Green works hard and gets stronger, he can be a force.

He is not strong enough to face NFL offensive lineman just yet, but scouts think that will come with time spent in the weight room. If Green develops the strength to square with these guys, watch out.

Nwosu racked up 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2017, along with 75 tackles. All of these numbers were career highs. Nwosu was finally given a full opportunity, and he thrived.

Nwosu can boost this defense in such a major way. If this defense gets a guy who can consistently get to the quarterback, it would be complete. An elite run defense, a great linebacker core and a secondary led by Jamal Adams and Trumaine Johnson. Wow.

Next: Round 4 - Adding quality depth on offensive line

Quessenberry is a quiet prospect heading into this draft, and the Jets grab him in Round 4. He is a respectable blocker who can play both guard and center, something the Jets would love. Depth is key on the offensive line, especially with last year’s injury issues.

Quessenberry was a reliable pass protector for Josh Rosen for most of 2017, but his teammates around him were not the same. Quessenberry was one of few viable pass protectors on the UCLA line. He and Kolton Miller were the standouts from that line.

As for run blocking, he could improve in that area. But don’t get me wrong, he was a solid run and pass blocker last season. There is no replacing Nick Mangold, but perhaps Quessenberry will become a portion of Mangold, especially with leadership.

He could use a year behind veterans James Carpenter and Brian Winters. He would join the team as a temporary backup who can develop into a starter over time. The Jets fortify the trenches with this pick in Round 4.

Next: Round 5 - A new tight end added to the mix

The Jets hadn’t seen tight end production in years before last season. Austin Seferian-Jenkins finally gave the Jets something to watch at the tight end position. And he’s gone.

Although Jordan Leggett should be healthy for this season, his health is something to be gambled with. Clive Walford isn’t the same person he was in 2016, and Neal Sterling is inconsistent. The Jets still need a reliable tight end to plug into the offense.

The Jets look to Conklin to provide some sort of production out of the tight end position, and he’s more than capable of it. Conklin caught 83 passes for 1,159 yards during his three-year career at Central Michigan. This may seem underwhelming, but his quarterback was below average. He also hardly played his freshman season.

Conklin had a good pro day during the pre-draft process, and Maccagnan was in attendance. Maccagnan reportedly personally met and chatted with Conklin. The Jets look to Conklin to bring back the tight end position for years to come.

Next: Round 6 - Drafting yet another wide receiver

I know. The Jets already have 17 receivers on the roster, along with 5-6 plausible guys worthy of a roster spot. But Callaway’s talent is too much to pass up this late in the draft. Strictly talent wise, Callaway makes a case to be the third best receiver in this class. But his story goes a lot deeper than talent.

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The Jets currently have four plausible receivers, maybe even five or six if you count Chad Hansen and/or Ardarius Stewart. However, Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jermaine Kearse and Terrelle Pryor are set to become free agents in 2019. Looking into the future, receiver is a big need.

Callaway has been in and out of trouble with the law during the past couple of years and it’s costed him a lot. Callaway might not even get drafted if teams don’t feel secure with his attitude.

Callaway had an impressive 2018 NFL Combine, including the interviews. He claimed he was a changed man and he is ready to make the leap to the pros. Is he really? Time will tell. But if he does fix himself up, he can be elite.

Unfortunately, his off-the-field incidents cost him the entire 2017 season, but during the two years before that, Callaway posted 1,399 yards and 7 touchdowns. Callaway could bust out and continue to be a distraction. However, the Jets play a risky game here in Round 6 to try to find what could be the steal of the draft.

Next: Round 7 - Adding a dynamic kickoff/punt returner

The Jets haven’t had a good returner since Joe McKnight and Leon Washington. It’s safe to say it’s time for a new face returning kicks and punts. We’ve seen enough of JoJo Natson, who had a historically bad season returning kicks and punts. Watson averaged an atrocious 2.4 yards per punt return. I find it impressive that one can be that bad at returning punts.

Henderson posted four kick return touchdowns and three punt return touchdowns during his three-year career with Pitt. He can make plays anywhere on the field. Any ball kicked to him can be taken to the house.

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Although the Jets signed Andre Roberts in free agency, it’s never a bad idea to throw in competition. Especially in Round 7 of the draft. Henderson would primarily be used for his return abilities rather than catching passes. Henderson could give the special teams their first return touchdown since 2012. It’s been too long without talent at the returner position, and the Jets address it with their final pick of the draft.