Jets 2019 NFL draft preview: Offensive Tackle

In this series, we’ll preview every position group as it relates to the 2019 NFL draft and the New York Jets. Next, let’s take a look at the Jets’ offensive tackle situation, and how it could be impacted by this year’s draft.

If the Jets want Sam Darnold to reach his lofty potential, taking the entire team along with him, they desperately need to invest in upgrades at both tackle spots. Finding a true franchise tackle in the early rounds of the 2019 NFL draft won’t be easy unless the Jets want to either reach at No. 3 overall or trade down from that spot, but they need to address it as early as possible.

The tandem of Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell is decent, but neither player has performed at a level that would warrant avoiding an upgrade. Beachum turns 30 this summer, and while Shell is younger, he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, and has dealt with injuries in the past.

Not having a second-round pick in this draft is a huge blow to the Jets’ chances of landing a quality tackle, especially one that could push Either Beachum or Shell for the starting role as a rookie in training camp. If the Jets are willing to pass up an elite defensive lineman like Alabama’s Quinnen Williams or Kentucky’s Josh Allen in return for an attractive trade-down offer, they could end up recouping that pick and getting a better value later in the first round.

Here are some potential targets that would make sense if the Jets want to try and find a franchise tackle early in this draft:

Jonah Williams | Alabama

Jawaan Taylor | Florida

Andre Dillard | Washington State

Dalton Risner | Kansas State

Cody Ford | Oklahoma