New York Jets: 3-round 2020 NFL mock draft; grades, analysis

The New York Jets made some interesting decisions in this 3-round 2020 NFL mock draft. Here are all the details, highlights, and a full report card.

Earlier this week Chad Reuter of NFL.com released a massive three-round 2020 NFL mock draft. This was his first version ahead of the NFL Combine at the end of February.

This simulation was “based on career production and performance in the postseason all-star game circuit, these players have made the argument they deserve to be selected early on draft weekend.”

With that being said we collected all of his choices for the New York Jets (in the first three rounds) and decided to grade them based on value, who was still on the board at the time, and how the player fits into Gang Green’s plans.

Round one

Grade: D

Best players still on the board:

• Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver, Alabama
• Mekhi Becton, offensive tackle, Louisville
• Andrew Thomas, offensive tackle, Georgia
• Tristan Wirfs, offensive tackle, Iowa

To be candid it’s going to be hard to receive any type of positive grade if the New York Jets select a defensive player in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft under any circumstance.

When you also consider in this specific simulation the Jets passed on three of the top offensive tackles and arguably the No. 1 wide receiver on the board, there’s no other way to slice this than saying this would be a horrible pick.

The Jets obviously have a need on the defensive side of the ball for a dominant edge player, but not in lieu of help for Sam Darnold. Of course, the direction of the green and white during the 2020 NFL Draft will largely depend on where the team chooses to go in free agency.

Next: Round 2: Results and Grades

Round two

Grade: A+

Best players still on the board: 

• Kristian Fulton, cornerback, LSU
• Lloyd Cushenberry, center, LSU
• CJ Henderson, cornerback, Florida
• Bradlee Anae, edge, Utah

After royally screwing up in the first round, Chad Reuter more than made up for in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While the Jets will likely be tantalized with the possibility of adding either Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb in the first round, they have to think long and hard about value.

NFL draft experts consider the 2020 wide receiver class one of the best in recent memory. This means that the value in the second or third round is essentially “first round” wide receiver value.

Justin Jefferson could go at the backend of the first round or he could realistically be available for the New York Jets with their second-round pick.

While some of the other options on the board are interesting: Fulton has first-round value at the cornerback spot and the team could plug a hole on the offensive line with a guy like Cushenberry. Ultimately Jefferson’s value and talents are simply too good to pass up.

Next: Round 3: Results and Grades

Round three

Grade: B-

Best players still on the board:

• Collin Johnson, wide receiver, Texas
• Josh Uche, edge, Michigan
• Isaiah Wilson, offensive tackle, Georgia
• Ben Bredeson, offensive guard, Michigan

Admittingly the other options on the board are interesting, but not overwhelming. This is a solid pick and it addresses a position of need.

Also, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas has an affinity for selecting players who participated in the Senior Bowl. Troy Pride Jr is a cornerback out of Notre Dame and he made a ton of moolah in Mobile during this year’s Senior Bowl.

The New York Jets will be without Trumaine Johnson next season so they’ll have an opening on the outside, Brian Poole is a pending free agent so that’s another potential hole in the slot, and then the other guys at corner on the roster are all role players or are relatively unproven.

Grade: C-

Best players still on the board:

• Tyler Biadasz, center, Wisconsin
• Matt Hennessy, center, Temple
• Anfernee Jennings, edge, Alabama
• Jeff Gladney, cornerback, TCU

Candidly, this is just a weird selection for the New York Jets with their second third-round pick. They need offensive line help, so that isn’t weird, but who they selected is strange.

Keith Ismael a center out of San Diego State who is a new name appearing on the mock draft scene for the New York Jets.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound center has some impressive hardware (first-team All-Mountain West honors each of the last two seasons). In addition, Keith brings experience (38 starts over the last three years), but not sure the choice is ideal considering who else was on the board.

The Jets could’ve selected a more prominent center. Tyler Biadasz is considered one of (if not) the top center available in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. Another guy who merited consideration is Matt Hennessy out of Temple who has been a riser during the early portions of the NFL draft process.