Midseason Jets mock draft and analysis

The New York Jets are at the midseason mark as it’s never too early to have a full mock draft and analysis on what they need to do at the 2019 NFL Draft.

It’s clear as day as to what the majority of needs the New York Jets roster needs in the future when it comes to the 2019 NFL Draft. At Week 8, the Jets are at the midseason mark and have a whole lot of areas to address come next offseason.

Ideally, the Jets need to add more offensive playmakers, bolster their offensive line, and add a quality pass rusher on defense. Until the Jets get these key areas in order, they will be on the outside looking in.

At this point in time, the Jets have six draft picks for next year’s draft. They don’t have a second or even sixth-round pick as it will be interesting to see what general manager Mike Maccagnan does in the future to possibly add more picks to his arsenal.

For now, this Jets mock draft will feature players that could potentially be future cornerstones on the team. Let’s get right to it!

Round 1: WR A.J. Brown (Mississippi)

Let’s face it, every young quarterback needs several high-quality playmakers around him in order to get the job done. It’s been a very long time since the Jets used a first-round pick on a wide receiver as they will boldly draft A.J. Brown out of Mississippi.

Brown has playmaker written all over him as he has great speed and makes a lot of big plays once the football is in his hands. As long as the football is near his vicinity, Brown is known to do whatever it takes to go the distance and come down with it, even if it’s a bad pass.

“Darnold to Brown” will be a new phrase said for many years to come which will finally give him a wide receiver that can make magic in an offensive system he’s built for. The Jets will likely keep their version of the West Coast offense as Brown could truly be the next best thing to hit the NFL as early as his rookie season thanks to everything he brings to the table.

The Jets won’t win many football games unless they give Darnold more weapons to work with so it’s imperative they use their first-round pick on a top wide receiver. Brown will add an incredible dimension on offense and will be a household name in no time.

Next: Round 3: Bolstering the offensive line

Round 3: OT Isaiah Prince (Ohio State)

If a team wants to win football games, it’s all about the battle of the trenches. The Jets need to add quality depth to their offensive line as with their first of two picks in the third round of next year’s draft, they will select offensive tackle Isaiah Prince out of Ohio State.

At  6-6 and 306 lbs., Prince is all about consistency and using his size effectively. Not only is he quick when it comes to pass protection and setting up the right rushing lanes, but he also executes well thanks to having a high football IQ.

Prince should be able to be a staple on the Jets offensive line and finally give them someone that can not only start right off the bat but can be molded towards stardom. He has a good motor and the willingness to learn from good coaching and training.

The Jets know if Darnold is to continue progressing the right way, he’ll need better offensive linemen keeping him upright. Prince will easily step right in and get right to it.

Next: Round 3: A new partner in crime for Leonard Williams

Round 3: DE Chase Winovich (Michigan)

Defensive end Leonard Williams can’t do it all. This is why Maccagnan will give him a new partner in crime by drafting defensive end Chase Winovich out of Michigan to bring more intensity and aggression to the defensive line.

Winovich plays no games as he’s a classic overachiever that is all about getting his hands dirty and being an impact player every single time he’s on the gridiron. Winovich has a knack at getting to the quarterback and being very disruptive on a daily basis.

He’s a tackling machine and will be an excellent addition to the Jets defense. He brings a no-nonsense attitude and a high work ethic.

Winovich will be a mid-round steal for the Jets and should be a contributor on offense sooner rather than later. It’s easy to see him develop into a future top pass rusher that the Jets have desperately needed for years now.

Next: Round 4: Adding a new running back to the mix

Round 4: RB Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic)

With the future being uncertain for running back Bilal Powell, the Jets need to add more depth to the positional group. Florida Atlantic’s Devin Singletary would make for a fine fourth-round pick.

At 5-7 and 199 lbs., Singletary’s small size makes him have an elusive factor when he’s rushing with the football. He is patient when it comes to going through the right rushing lanes and should resemble the kind of dual-threat Jets fans have come to love from Powell.

Singletary is also a hybrid player that can do damage either through the ground or air due to his impressive skill-set. He’s all about making plays and scoring touchdowns as last season, he had 29 with the Owls.

He will undoubtedly be a legitimate threat to go the distance once he gets acclimated to life in the NFL. Over time, Singletary can develop into an every-down back that can handle heavy workloads and deliver consistent results.

Next: Round 5: Adding quality depth at cornerback

Round 5: CB Alijah Holder (Stanford)

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The defensive secondary of the Jets is set when it comes to their safety situation but they need to infuse younger and better talent at cornerback. This is why in the fifth round of next year’s draft, the Jets land cornerback Alijah Holder.

At 6-2 and 174 lbs., Holder is known for tackling well and tipping passes in clutch situations. The only knock on him is that he hasn’t been healthy for the majority of his career but with the right strength and conditioning, it hopefully won’t be a problem in the pros.

If healthy, Holder can be an extremely good cornerback that can slowly work his way into the starting lineup. For now, the Jets will use him during certain defensive packages to put him in a position to succeed.

In the times he’s been healthy for the Cardinals, Holder has held his own against some of the top receiving options in college football. He embodies the kind of cornerbacks head coach Todd Bowles loves to have on his defense.

Next: Round 7: Taking a chance on a power running back

Round 7: RB Jacques Patrick (Florida State)

If the Jets were able to have a dominant rushing attack featuring two or even three different running backs that presented different styles of running, it could be a winning formula. Darnold would not have to worry about having all the pressure on him to deliver with a potent rushing attack ready to be unleashed against any opponent standing in the Jets way.

At 6-3 and 231 pounds, the Jets end their draft class by selecting running back Jacques Patrick out of Florida State. If it’s one thing to know about Patrick is that he’s all about power running and going the extra distance on every single play.

Mostly a backup so far in his collegiate career, the Jets could use Patrick in 1st and goal situations and even have him spell relief for the starters in front of him on the depth chart. Patrick doesn’t have pure raw speed but makes up for it with sheer force.

Considering that Patrick also has experience on special teams means he can immediately contribute on that aspect of the team and work his way up the roster. He has the talent to potentially be a starting running back in a rotational role and if he’s used correctly, could be a force to reckon with as he develops.