NY Jets: 7-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft, post-free agency edition

The NY Jets have completed the first few waves of free agency and have filled several needs. It’s time for an updated brand new 7-round mock draft.

The NY Jets have cleared one of the biggest milestones of the NFL offseason with free agency in the rearview mirror.

Joe Douglas was able to fill several holes on the roster, retain some key in-house free agents, and shape the roster with his personal touch.

Here are the full results from the free agency period for Gang Green:

• Marqui Christian, defensive back
• Josh Andrews, interior offensive line
• Neville Hewitt, linebacker
• Arthur Maulet, cornerback
• Brian Poole, cornerback
• Alex Lewis, guard
• Connor McGovern, interior offensive line
• George Fant, offensive tackle
• Greg Van Roten, interior offensive line
• Pierre Desir, cornerback

With the addition of new starters and much-needed depth, the NY Jets litany of needs has changed ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The team still owns eight selections in the upcoming draft including six of their own original picks and two that came via trade.

To recap, the Jets acquired a 2020 third-round pick in the Leonard Williams trade with the NY Giants. In addition, Gang Green also received a sixth-round selection in the Darron Lee trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here are all the specifics on the team’s picks in this year’s draft:

First-round pick: No. 11 overall (Jets own selection)

Second-round pick: No. 48 overall (Jets own selection)

Third-round pick: No. 68 overall (originally the NY Giants via the Leonard Williams trade)

Third-round pick: No. 79 overall (Jets own selection)

Fourth-round pick: No. 120 overall (Jets own selection)

Fifth-round pick: No. 158 overall (Jets own selection)

Sixth-round pick: No. 191 overall (Jets own selection)

Sixth-round pick: No. 211 overall (originally the Kansas City Chiefs via the Darron Lee trade)

With that being said it’s time for a brand-new seven-round 2020 NFL mock draft (post-free agency edition). We’ll utilize the Mock Draft Machine from our friends over at The Draft Network to complete our simulation.

We’ll tell you who we picked, why we picked them, and who were the best available players still on the board (that we decided to pass on). After reading the updated seven-round mock draft, make sure you drop your comments down below on your favorite picks, which ones you hated, and what grade would you give this draft!

Next: First round

First-round (11th overall)

Top players still available:

• CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver, Oklahoma
• Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver, Alabama
• K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
• Andrew Thomas, offensive tackle, Georgia
• Henry Ruggs III, wide receiver, Alabama

Make no mistake about it, general manager Joe Douglas has done wonders to the team’s offensive line. With a few additions in the trenches, the team has dramatically improved that unit during free agency.

This has caused some NY Jets fans to assume the team will look in a different direction in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Not so fast my friends.

While the offensive line is better now than it was in 2019 with the additions of: George Fant, Josh Andrews, Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, and retained Alex Lewis, it’s still not perfect. Most of these additions are short-term solutions, and the Jets need long-term answers.

In the first round, they have their choice between two of the top four offensive tackles and they go for an athletic freak in Jedrick Wills Jr out of Alabama.

In theory, you can plug and play Wills at left tackle and then you can kick free-agent addition George Fant to right tackle to compete with Chuma Edoga for the starting gig. If we’re being honest, the offensive line can’t be fixed in a single offseason.

Years of neglect have resulted in a deteriorating unit that has gotten quarterbacks killed over and over again. It’s time to snap an embarrassing drought on draft day: the selection of Wills would be the first offensive lineman the Jets have taken in the first round since 2006.

Next: Second round

Second-round (48th overall)

Top players still available:

• JK Dobbins, running back, Ohio State
• Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
• Austin Jackson, offensive tackle, USC
• Jaylon Johnson, cornerback, Utah
• Donovan Peoples-Jones, wide receiver, Michigan

It seems almost written in stone that the NY Jets will go offensive line and wide receiver with their first two selections in the 2020 NFL Draft. Which position goes first will truly depend on what value is available on the big board.

In this case, the team was able to snag one of the top four offensive tackles in the first round and then maximize the depth of the wide receiver class in the second round.

Regardless of what happens with pending free agent Robby Anderson, the team needs wide receiver help.

On Day 2 of the NFL Draft, the Jets receive a gem from their former head coach Herm Edwards. Brandon Aiyuk, formerly of Arizona State, is a big play waiting to happen. Not only would he bring a dynamic playmaker to the wide receiving core, but he also is a fantastic return man.

Last season for the Sun Devils, Brandon averaged over 32 yards per kick return and over 16 yards per punt return.

The 6-foot, 200-pound wideout is an outside receiver that can either replace Anderson in this offense or he can be an additional toy for Sam Darnold to enjoy.

He has a unique ability to make things happen after he gets the ball in his hands. Although that leads us to a part of his game that desperately needs improvement: technical refinement in his route tree and getting a bit more physical at the point of release.

Next: Third round

Third-round (68th overall)

Top players still available: 

• Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
• Isaiah Wilson, offensive tackle, Georgia
• Jalen Hurts, quarterback, Oklahoma
• Jake Fromm, quarterback, Georgia
• Bryce Hall, cornerback, Virginia

Wait a second, another wide receiver? Have you seen the NY Jets wide receiving core? They need as much help as they can get. After getting more speed in the second round, now they add some size with a former Sam Darnold collegiate teammate.

Michael Pittman Jr stands in at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. According to the team website, Pittman Jr would instantly become the tallest wide receiver on the roster.

He’s not just a big body either, Pittman Jr has some serious skills to boot.

In his four seasons with the Trojans Michael exponentially got better each year:

2016: 6 receptions for 82 yards and zero touchdowns.

2017: 23 receptions for 404 yards and two touchdowns.

2018: 41 catches for 758 yards and six touchdowns.

2019: 101 catches for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns.

A physically imposing receiver with above-average athleticism. The Jets need a wide receiver who can consistently win contested 50-50 balls down the field. Instantly he would be a red-zone threat and someone that could be a mismatch nightmare.

Third-round (79th overall)

Top players still available: 

• Cam Akers, running back, Florida State
• Matthew Peart, offensive tackle, UConn
• Van Jefferson, wide receiver, Florida
• Troy Pride Jr, cornerback, Notre Dame
• Saahdiq Charles, offensive tackle, LSU

Why not double-dip at another position? After doing it at wide receiver the team does it again on the offensive line.

It’s also plausible to go with an interior offensive lineman at this spot either at guard or center, but based on the value we went with an offensive tackle in Prince Tega Wanogho.

He has an inspiring story that featured humble beginnings in Nigeria and it ended with him at an SEC school in Auburn. Most of his collegiate experience is at left tackle, but his shorter arms could be better suited inside at guard (which could actually work out better for his long-term future in the pros).

Worst case you can let him compete with George Fant and Chuma Edoga at right tackle and see what happens. He’s a phenomenal athlete, but a bit raw considering he picked up the sport of football so late in his life.

Next: Fourth round

Fourth-round (120th overall)

Top players still available:

• Thaddeus Moss, tight end, LSU
• Nick Coe, EDGE, Auburn
• Collin Johnson, wide receiver, Texas
• Solomon Kindley, interior offensive line, Georgia
• Jared Pinkney, tight end, Vanderbilt

After double-dipping on the first two days of the 2020 NFL Draft at wide receiver and on the offensive line, it’s time to fill some cracks on the defensive side of the ball.

One of the biggest needs for the NY Jets on that side of the ball is at edge rusher. This offseason it seems inevitable the team will be moving on from Jordan Jenkins. While he was never a dynamic double-digit sack guy, he at least was part of the solution.

Gang Green needed edge rusher even with Jenkins, with him likely out of the picture, they need twice as much help. In the fourth round, the team dives back into the Alabama waters.

While some Jets fans have “wounded puppy syndrome” when it comes to Alabama players, they need to wash that from their minds. Just because Dee Milliner and ArDarius Stewart were busts, doesn’t mean every Crimson Tide player will be that the green and white select.

Anfernee Jennings spent five years at Alabama and his last two were the best of his collegiate run:

13.5 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 16 pass deflections, and 133 combined tackles.

Next: Fifth round

Fifth-round (158th overall)

Top players still available:

• AJ Dillon, running back, Boston College
• Anthony Gordon, quarterback, Washington State
• Jack Driscoll, offensive tackle, Auburn
• Antonio Gandy-Golden, wide receiver, Liberty
• Devin Asiasi, tight end, UCLA

Ideally, I would’ve liked to go to cornerback a bit earlier in the draft, but the situation never presented itself.

During the free agency period, the NY Jets trimmed some fat on the roster by releasing Darryl Roberts and Trumaine Johnson. In addition, the team also retained slot corner Brian Poole and picked up Pierre Desir from the Indianapolis Colts.

The team still needs outside corners and they get a good one from the ACC in Dane Jackson.

He has earned everything he’s gotten in his life. After being a largely unheralded recruit Dane made his own path with the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Jackson has started in 41 games over four years with the Panthers and registered four interceptions, four forced fumbles, 43 pass deflections, and 148 total tackles.

He’s a feisty player that will likely start as a reserve and will have the potential to crack the starting lineup. The Jets need depth and Jackson provides good value in the fifth round.

Next: Sixth round

Sixth-round (191st overall)

Top players still available: 

• Trey Adams, offensive tackle, Washington
• AJ Green, cornerback, Oklahoma State
• Calvin Throckmorton, offensive tackle, Oregon
• Jaron Bryant, cornerback, Fresno State
• Levonta Taylor, cornerback, Florida State

Not enough NY Jets fans are aware of the glaring need at backup quarterback. Here is the full list of passers on the roster: Sam Darnold and Mike White. That’s it.

Considering Darnold has missed six games over the last two years with injuries and diseases, it’s about time to invest in a proper insurance policy.

In free agency, there are two names that the team is doing their homework on.

Joe Flacco formerly of the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens was recently released with a failed physical. He dealt with a neck issue last year, but is expected to be healthy soon.

Current general manager Joe Douglas was the original man who discovered Flacco out of Delaware and eventually convinced the Ravens’ brass to take him in the first round. Joe led the Ravens to the Super Bowl and Douglas likely still has a warm spot in his heart for him.

Although Flacco’s checkered past with young quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and Drew Lock in Denver) should cause the Jets some hesitancy in bringing him in.

While the other backup quarterback on the open market is Matt Moore who has a history with NY Jets head coach Adam Gase. He just won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and would provide a stabilizing presence in the quarterback room.

The team has yet to sign either, so here we have the Jets taking a chance on a Joe Flacco body type in Jake Luton out of Oregon State. The 6-foot-7, 229-pound passer has intriguing physical traits that are worth investing in.

Sixth-round (211th overall)

Top players still available: 

• Joshua Kelly, running back, UCLA
• Austin Mack, wide receiver, Ohio State
• Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami
• Tyler Huntley, quarterback, Utah
• Mike Danna, EDGE, Michigan

The NY Jets do not own a seventh-round pick (they traded it to the Baltimore Ravens in the Alex Lewis deal). So this is the team’s final selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Gang Green has already addressed the majority of their needs so now it’s time to take a flier on an intriguing pass rusher from Syracuse.

Kendall Coleman could very well be the steal of the draft.

He had his best season in 2018 (10 sacks) but had a drop-off as a senior. The Orange as a whole was disappointing (after winning 10 games in 2018, they only won 5 games in 2019). Also, the team lost Chris Slayton who played in the middle of the defense in 2018 which opened up opportunities on the edge.

Kendall Coleman is a blue-collar worker and brings elite character to the table. While he doesn’t necessarily have the god-given gifts of twitch, he’s the kind of guy that can consistently deliver seven to nine sacks a year (similar to Jordan Jenkins).

The team needs as many pass rushers as possible so double-dipping during the 2020 NFL Draft isn’t out of the question.