NY Jets: 2-round mock draft, Stick to Football executes bold strategy

The NY Jets got a bit bold in this two-round mock draft from the Stick to Football crew. Here are the full results, grades, and reactions.

A lot of NY Jets fans are unsure how to feel about how the free agency process played out for the team. While on the surface they seemingly filled a lot of holes with names, they weren’t big names.

That’s not something Gang Green fans are used to. The team has made it a habit of making splashy additions and winning offseason headlines. That no longer seems to be the case with general manager Joe Douglas running things.

You can normally dig up clues about where the team is going to go in the upcoming draft based on the activity in free agency. This much is clear, Douglas is pushing all his chips into the middle of the table as it pertains to the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.

The draft will inevitably separate the good teams from the great teams. For the Jets, you want to build through the draft not free agency. With that in mind, our friends over at the Stick to Football podcast released an updated two-round mock draft this week.

We decided to share the results for the NY Jets, provide a grade, and give our full reactions.

Next: First round

The #Jets Zone w/ @BoyGreen25:– Interview w/ former @nyjets WR @robcarpenter81.– Full #FreeAgency recap. – Top 6 replacement options for Robby Anderson. – 7-round #TakeFlight mock draft, @TheDraftNetwork.– Avery Williamson to the trade block?https://t.co/Dz23sZ9BPz

— The Jets Zone (@TheJets_Zone) March 25, 2020

Round one (11th overall)

“I know they brought in George Fant at left tackle during free agency, I still think the offensive line is a huge need. Andrew Thomas can be that left tackle of the present and future. All things considered, Sam Darnold did a lot of good things last year, now it’s time to protect him so he’ll stop seeing ghosts next year.”

Top players still available:

• Henry Ruggs III, wide receiver, Alabama
• CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver, Oklahoma
• K’Lavon Chaisson, edge, LSU
• Josh Jones, offensive tackle, Houston
• Austin Jackson, offensive tackle, USC

The NY Jets get lucky by virtue of landing one of the top four offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft. While in the court of public opinion, Andrew Thomas has witnessed his draft stock plummet, that is a fallacy.

Thomas may not possess a crazy high ceiling (like a Mekhi Becton or Tristan Wirfs), but he has a super high floor. Considering all the draft busts for the NY Jets over the years, that would be a welcomed addition to the team.

In addition, a lot of the top offensive tackles in this class will have to transition from the right side to the left side. You don’t have to worry about that with Thomas, he was one of the best-left tackles in all of college football in arguably the best conference in the country (SEC).

If the Jets are able to pull this off, they’ll protect the blindside for the next decade-plus. This will also increase the depth of the offensive line overall by forcing George Fant to compete with Chuma Edoga at right tackle.

You’ll probably hear this fun fact throughout the entire draft process, but even then it won’t be enough. With this mock draft selection, this is the first time in 14 years (say it with me now) 14 freaking years since the NY Jets last selected an offensive lineman in the first round. It’s time to end this embarrassing drought.

Grade: A+

Next: Second round

Round two (48th overall)

“They went offensive tackle in the first round which I loved. Now it’s time to load up at wide receiver and this may surprise some people but I’m going KJ Hamler, wide receiver out of Penn State.

He’s a smaller guy and they already have Jamison Crowder, but this team just needs speed. They need someone who can win vertically down the field. Especially considering they no longer have Robby Anderson on the team, they really need someone who can win down the field. With this selection, the Jets are getting an absolute rocket.

The drops are a little concerning and his routes need polish. But here’s the thing, there are only a select few players that’ll bring that true 4.3 speed at the position. KJ can make a play out of nothing with the ball in his hands and that’s why I like him with Sam Darnold.”

Top players still available: 

• Jalen Reagor, wide receiver, TCU
• JK Dobbins, running back, Ohio State
• Terrell Lewis, edge, Alabama
• Donovan Peoples-Jones, wide receiver, Michigan
• Lloyd Cushenberry III, interior offensive lineman, LSU

If the NY Jets go offensive line in round one, it seems pretty obvious that they’re going wide receiver in round two (and vice versa). That’s especially true with Robby Anderson out of the picture.

The team lacks not only a No. 1 wide receiver, but they also lack a No. 2 wide receiver. Jamison Crowder is the best the team has and he’s great, but that’s only one guy and he’s filling the slot position.

Now that there’s less than a month until we reach the 2020 NFL Draft, you’ve probably heard almost every name in the book mocked to the Jets. Although you’ve likely not heard the name KJ Hamler out of Penn State come up much.

The 5-foot-9, 178-pound wide receiver dealt with some injuries in his high school and early college career (ACL tear). He would immediately bring speed to the NY Jets offense albeit in a small package.

There’s a lot to like with his game-changing ability to separate, stretch the field, and his run after the catch ability is exhilarating. Although his size could lead to durability concerns down the line. It would be a solid addition, but there are other receivers that’ll be available in this range that are better on draft day.

Grade: B