NY Jets: Evaluating top options in round one of 2020 NFL Draft

The NY Jets could go in a lot of different directions with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here is a full evaluation of the top options.

The NFL Combine is here and mock draft season is fully upon us.

When you look at the majority of mock drafts ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft they have the NY Jets going offensive line with their first-round pick.

Anyone who watched the Jets this past season knows that the team’s offensive line did the running game no favors while consistently failing to give Sam Darnold enough time to throw the ball.

Luckily for the Jets, there is a good amount of offensive lineman in this draft that many believe deserve to be high first-round selections such as Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, and Jedrick Wills.

The NFL draft won’t be the only opportunity for the Jets to fix their offensive line this offseason.

In free agency, the Jets will have the chance to sign offensive lineman like Joe Thuney, Brandon Scherff, Jack Conklin, and Graham Glasgow prior to the NFL draft. It is crucial that the Jets improve their offensive line because it would strengthen Sam Darnold’s chances to become their long-term franchise quarterback.

While the offensive line is the Jets’ biggest need this offseason, it is not their only need.

The Jets need to improve their receiving core, especially if Robby Anderson leaves in free agency. Jamison Crowder is the only Jets wide receiver currently under contract who had over 225 receiving yards this past season. If the Jets are unable to obtain Anderson, their need for help at the wide receiver position will only grow.

As previously stated, improving the offensive line should be the Jets’ top priority this offseason. However, that does not mean they should use their 11th overall pick on an offensive lineman just for the sake of doing so.

If the Jets are able to address the offensive line in free agency then wide receiver might become the position of focus in the first round, especially if Robby Anderson signs with another team.

Also, the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns are all teams picking ahead of the Jets that could all use their first-round selections on offensive lineman, meaning that the Jets would have to settle if they still wanted to address that position right away.

If you are the Jets, would you rather have the 4th or 5th best offensive lineman in the draft or the best wide receiver?

Jerry Jeudy, the wide receiver out of Alabama could be available when the Jets are picking at No. 11 and many consider him the best wide receiver in this draft.

An NFL scout told Bleacher Report, “Someone is going to overthink that he’s not very big, “And they’re going to miss out on the next Odell [Beckham Jr.] or [Antonio Brown].” Jeudy could be the most talented receiver the Jets have ever had.

If the Jets are blown away by a trade offer, they could trade down from the 11th spot and accumulate numerous draft picks to improve their roster.

Barring that unlikely scenario, expect the Jets to use their 11th overall pick on an offensive player to help Sam Darnold.

If the Jets use their first-round pick on an offensive lineman, they would still have the rest of the draft to address the wide receiver position and vice versa. This will be Joe Douglas’ first draft as the Jets general manager and it will help determine if he’s the right man for the job.