What the Jets are getting in 5th-round pick Blake Cashman

Get to know the New York Jets’ fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman.

The Jets added arguably the best defender available in free agency when the signed linebacker C.J. Mosley to a massive deal, but that didn’t stop them from bolstering their depth in this year’s draft.

If you love blue-collar players who have worked for every inch of their football journey, Cashman is your guy. A former walk-on, Cashman earned a a scholarship and eventually became the cornerstone of the Golden Gophers defense.

Heading into the predraft process, Cashman again faced the daunting task of proving he belonged among the best football players in the country. Just as he had earlier in his career, he delivered. Cashman blew up the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine with a dominant performance, finishing among the best linebackers in multiple events throughout the weekend.

Despite his impressive showing at the combine, Cashman still fell to the fifth round, where the Jets wisely snatched him up. His combination of athleticism, intelligence and determination should allow him to make an immediate impact on special teams, while eventually developing into a potential starter down the road.

When asked what kind of player Cashman’s eventual NFL team would be getting, he’s clear and confident about what he brings to the table.

“They’re gonna get somebody that’s gonna come in and work harder than anyone else there, Cashman told Draft Wire back in March. “I don’t say or take that lightly. I know what it took to get myself into this position. It’s taken a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s just part of the journey of being a walk-on. On top of that, I’m somebody who believes that football games are won during the week. They’re won in the film room and they’re won when you prepare right. It’s one of the most important factors of the game. I spend a lot of time in the meeting rooms to make sure I fully understand the defensive scheme and what our plan of attack is. I can help a team at the linebacker spot. I have good speed, I can cover the field sideline-to-sideline. I’m a very versatile player. Whether it’s on special teams or all 3 downs, you can play me in blitz packages and so on. There’s a lot of areas that I can help a team in.”