NY Jets: 3 last-minute bold predictions ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft

The NY Jets are just hours away from the start of the 2020 NFL Draft. With that, let’s take a look at three bold predictions ahead of the first round.

The NY Jets are mere hours away from what promises to be a very eventful 2020 NFL Draft. All the mock drafts have been released, big boards have been set, and we’re ready for what should be a stressful, but exciting evening.

However, no matter how many predictions could be made, there always promises to be a few surprises.

From stunning draft-day trades to shocking selections, the NFL Draft rarely goes as planned. So why not spice things up with a few bold predictions?

Of course, these predictions won’t be completely out of left field. The hope is that these are a variety of realistic scenarios that could unfold, even if they may not be the consensus prediction.

Because what’s wrong with going against the consensus every once and a while?

The Jets have plenty of major needs to address on the roster, but determining how exactly they’ll address them is a bit like a puzzle. You have all the pieces, but it isn’t always clear how to arrange them properly.

That’s something the Jets will have to figure out starting today.

With that, let’s take a look at three bold predictions for the Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Next: 3. The Jets will draft three wide receivers

3. The Jets will draft three wide receivers

The Jets have a massive need at wide receiver that was made even more significant with the departure of Robby Anderson in the offseason. Fortunately, it just so happens that this year’s draft class is one of the deepest at the position in recent memory.

From top-tier prospects such as CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, and Henry Ruggs III in the first round to excellent mid-round targets, the 2020 NFL Draft is littered with wide receiver talent.

And for that reason, it would be a mistake for the Jets to come away with only one. But what if they decided to draft three wide receivers?

The idea isn’t completely unprecedented. Back in 2014 the Jets did just that selecting the likes of Jalen Saunders, Shaquelle Evans, and Quincy Enunwa in what was a very deep wide receiver class.

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Obviously, the results weren’t pretty but they could possibly amend their previous mishaps by landing a few stud receivers this year.

Whether they tackle the position on Day 1 — we’ll get to that — or make a flurry of roster moves on Day 2/3, it’s certainly feasible that the Jets could use three of their eight selections on the wide receiver position.

At the moment, the Jets’ three starting wideouts are expected to be Quincy Enunwa, Breshad Perriman, and Jamison Crowder. Crowder is a reliable slot option, but Enunwa still isn’t cleared for football activities and Perriman has just five games of productive football under his belt.

The Jets need starters and depth and what better way to address the position then by going all-in on this historic draft class?

Next: 2. The Jets won't draft a defensive player until Day 3

2. The Jets won’t draft a defensive player until Day 3

The Jets have decided to address defense early in drafts for the better part of the last two decades. Aside from the quarterback position, the Jets haven’t drafted an offensive player in the first round since 2008 when the selected Dustin Keller.

2008. It’s been 12 years since the Jets used a first-round pick on an offensive player that wasn’t a quarterback.

Expect that to change in a big way this year with the Jets likely to address offense and offense only first.

The Jets’ offense was putrid last season playing behind an abysmal offensive line and regularly playing with the likes of Vyncint Smith and Braxton Berrios at wide receiver. They need talent on offense and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them devote the first two days of the draft to that side of the ball.

Gang Green has four picks over the first two days of the draft with one selection each in Round 1 and 2 and two picks in Round 3. It’s very possible that they could opt to strictly draft offensive players in those three rounds.

From wide receiver to the offensive line, the Jets must sure up their two most pressing needs on the roster. But don’t count out the team targeting a running back on Day 2 as well.

All of that means that their defensive needs could be ignored until Day 3 of the draft. And given what we saw from the team last year, that may not be the worst idea.

Next: 1. The Jets will draft a wide receiver in Round 1

1. The Jets will draft a wide receiver in Round 1

Let’s be clear here for a moment — if one of the top-four offensive tackles is on the board when the Jets pick at No. 11, they can’t think about addressing another position.

The likes of Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, Andrew Thomas, and Mekhi Becton are too good of prospects to warrant any other selection. But at this point, there’s no guarantee that the Jets will even have that opportunity.

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Steam around those four has picked up in recent days with all four receiving top-10 consideration. In fact, recent reports seem to indicate that all three with the exception of Becton are locks for the top-10.

Teams like the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns could all be looking to target one of the top offensive tackles — and they all pick ahead of the Jets.

That’s not even considering teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos who all have been rumored to be interested in trading up, possibly for a tackle as well.

If the Jets want one of the top tackles, they might have to trade up themselves, something Joe Douglas might not want to do given the many holes on the roster.

If all four tackles or gone — or if Becton is there, but they feel strongly about his failed drug test at the Combine — the Jets might be forced to go receiver and hope for a tackle in Round 2.

It’s not ideal, but the flashiness of landing a prospect like CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy could be enough for fans to forget about the deficiencies of the offensive line.