New York Jets: 3 wide receivers to target in the 2020 NFL Draft

With many excellent wide receiver prospects entering the 2020 NFL Draft, let’s take a look at three possible targets the New York Jets should take a look at.

The upcoming 2020 NFL Draft consists of one of the deepest wide receiver classes in recent memory. When you think of speed, power, and quickness, it is all there. The New York Jets have continuously failed to draft any wide receivers that turn into Pro Bowl talent.

One of the biggest criticisms of the organization is the lack of effort to even draft a wideout. In today’s NFL, which has turned into a passing league, having a quality wide receiver could not be more critical.

Fortunately for the Jets, the 2020 NFL Draft is stacked with elite college receivers from some of the highest-ranked schools.

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In today’s NFL, some of the most critical players to their respective organizations are wide receivers. Some of the best young receivers do not have to be selected with a top-five pick.

For instance, both the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins selected D.K. Metcalf and Terry McLaurin respectively later in the draft.

The good news for the Jets is the trades they make from now until the draft only gives them more draft capital to take chances on the young studs.

Repeatedly the elite talent group in the NFL is made up of a few wide receivers, so it is critical to look at this list to find out the top talents of the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Next: Laviska Shenault Jr.

3.  Laviska Shenault Jr. — Colorado

Many college football fans turn off their TVs too early to see a lot of the great Pac 12 talent “after dark.” These people are certainly missing out because Laviska Shenault Jr. is one of the most electric wide receivers in the nation.

The 6-foot-2 frame and 220-pound body make Shenault a difficult assignment for any cornerback. The speed of the freak athlete requires defensive backs that guard him to have safety help for the whole game.

Not only can Shenault catch the ball, but he is versatile enough to be a factor in the run game. In the 2018 season, he caught six touchdowns and rushed for five. The ability to be versatile in your game is a trend that is becoming more important as the NFL inherits an increasing amount of unique talents such as Lamar Jackson.

This season, Shenault has cooled off with only 514 yards and three touchdowns, at the time of writing. He still shows his big-play ability averaging 15.1 yards per catch. He reminds scouts of a Tyler Lockett kind of player with a difference in height between the two.

He is not higher on the draft board of wideouts because of his underwhelming performance this season so far. If the big play ability and quickness continue to develop, then his talents will make an NFL franchise very happy one day.

Next: CeeDee Lamb

2. CeeDee Lamb — Oklahoma

CeeDee Lamb has made many quarterbacks look good in the past few years. Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield both utilized Lamb as one of their main targets. In the National Championship semi-final game last season, Lamb burned Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II for 109 yards and a touchdown.

It is the lightning-fast speed and quickness that draws everyone’s eyes to the star wide receiver. Every single season the stats get better with a different quarterback.

In just over half a season, Lamb has racked up 816 yards with a whopping 11 touchdowns to this point. Another great Alabama wide receiver coming out this year is the only thing stopping him from being the top receiver.

Speed kills in almost any sport, which is why Lamb might be one of the best prospects in the last five years. He can bust a big play out with a simple fly right down the middle of the defense, or a short screen pass. It is pointless to put a safety over the top because of his frequency to come up with the jump balls.

This is one of the seldom times where an NFL team can draft a wide receiver with confidence that he will be an instant gamechanger. The Jets should be alert because Lamb is box office talent that doesn’t come around too often.

Next: Jerry Jeudy

1. Jerry Jeudy

Alabama has generated some of the best wide receivers in the NFL and Jerry Jeudy is on the path to becoming the next. Jeudy is a 6-foot-1 beast that can juke out the whole other team. Not one part of his game is weak and he gets separation from any cornerback that defends him.

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The superstar is a show-stopper but is humble in his approach at the same time to head coach Nick Saban’s liking. He won’t destroy the team for not giving him the ball but at the same time will speak out if he needs to get the ball to help the team win.

A franchise could not ask for a better guy to join their franchise.

At Alabama this season, Jeudy has 682 yards and eight touchdowns even with his starting Tua Tagovailoa missing time. No team has come close to stopping Jeudy as he continuously blows by his matchup with double coverage.

The Jets need to draft Jeudy if he is available to help alleviate the issues going on with the offense. One wide receiver will not bring a terrible team to the playoffs, but it would undoubtedly provide a shiny new toy for quarterback Sam Darnold to play with.

All of the starting receivers for Alabama might one day be number one on their draft boards, but Jeudy is made different.

This soon to be top-10 pick will instantly give a bad team a number one option.