NY Jets: 4 sleepers to watch on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a late-round selection pan out for the NY Jets. Here are four players who could change that in the 2020 NFL Draft.

With the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to take a look at some lesser-known guys who may be a good fit for the NY Jets on the final day.

Rounds 4 through 7 are where we really see how good of a drafter a general manager is, and we’ve heard a lot about how good Joe Douglas can be.

Now it’s time to see if he can hit on at least one of his late-round selections. Following Day 2, the Jets own six picks in the final four rounds of the draft.

Jets fans went through the wringer when it comes to Mike Maccagnan making mid-to-late round selections. From Chad Hansen to Derrick Jones, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a late-round selection pan out for this team.

I have full faith in Joe Douglas to bring in guys that will help us win now, if not within the next couple of years.

After countless mock drafts and scouring of analysts’ big boards, I’ve put together a list of four players who I think the Jets should target on the third and final day of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Keep in mind that the late rounds are where a lot of general managers fill certain holes on the roster, whether it’s a position of need or not.

Do the Jets find a backup/successor to Le’Veon Bell? Do they find a serviceable backup for Sam Darnold? Maybe they even take a true safety as a fallback if the team decides to trade Jamal Adams.

I think lots of fans are going to be surprised by some of the picks Douglas makes in Rounds 4 through 7, and hopefully at least one of them is in this slideshow.

Next: 1. Tyler Biadasz

1. Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin

The first player I’ve chosen is Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz. The Jets went out and signed center Connor McGovern during the first period of free agency and I’m more than excited to have him on board.

However, Biadasz can play either of the three interior offensive line positions and I’d love to see the team bring him on board as a guard or move McGovern back to his natural position.

Alex Lewis and Brian Winters/Greg Van Roten are currently the two starting guards on the roster, and to me, Biadasz would be a solid improvement over any of them.

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If not for 2020, it wouldn’t hurt to groom a guard for the future, or even slide him under center and put McGovern at guard. Needless to say, the team would have options if they brought Biadasz in.

NFL.com gave the former three-year starter at Wisconsin a 5.7 prospect grade. They project him as a backup at the time of his entry into the league, but someone who can be groomed into a starter at either guard or center within his first two years in the league.

After passing on Lloyd Cushenberry and having Matt Hennessy taken prior to their third-round selection, I’d like to see the Jets take a shot with Biadasz. I’d expect him to go off the board in the fourth round.

Next: 2. Anthony McFarland

2. Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland

Yes, I know we have an otherworldly talent at running back in Le’Veon Bell, but that shouldn’t stop the Jets from considering drafting a running back.

This in no way is me advocating for trading Bell, who I love. However, the Jets current RB2 is second-year back Trenton Cannon. I like Cannon, but at this moment in time, he isn’t much more than a solid special teams player.

McFarland is the perfect complement to Bell in the Jets backfield, and can even be his successor if the Jets choose to move on from Bell following the 2020 season, as many believe they will do.

The question is, when do you take McFarland or any running back for that matter? There are still a few backs left on the board that I think the team should take a look at. How long do you wait though?

I’d prefer the team use their fourth-round picks on something other than running back, but if the Jets feel that their running back pick would be a successor to Bell, they can’t wait too long, can they?

I think McFarland can be one of the steals of the draft — he’s a fast runner who can hit the holes as quick as anyone, and is the perfect complement to Bell for at least 2020.

If the Jets can wait until the fifth or sixth to take him, I’d be ecstatic.

Next: 3. Bryce Hall

3. Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

The third player I’m highlighting is Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall. The lengthy defensive back had a sneaky good career at Virginia and I think he’d make a great addition to the Jets secondary.

The team did select hybrid defensive back Ashtyn Davis in the third round on Day 2 of the draft, but the Jets can use as much secondary depth as possible right now.

Originally, Hall was projected as a late-third, early-fourth-round pick, but his stock may have dropped a bit due to his Combine performance. He’s a lengthy corner (31.5” wingspan) who showed flashes in his three years at Virginia.

NFL.com compared Hall to James Bradberry and I really do see the similarities. He excels at press coverage and is great on 50/50 balls.

The Jets’ cornerback room is quietly getting crowded, but adding a player of Hall’s caliber in the late rounds of the draft would be a steal.

He could compete for the fourth spot on the depth chart with the likes of Nate Hairston and Arthur Maulet, assuming newly signed Pierre Desir and second-year cornerback Blessaun Austin get the starting nod on the outside wth Brian Poole in the slot.

Next: 4. Tyler Johnson

4. Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota

The Jets selected Denzel Mims with their second-round pick on Friday night. With the way the rest of the wide receiver depth chart looks, I don’t think it’s far-fetched to think they’ll take a look at another pass catcher.

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Tyler Johnson is my favorite receiver left as we enter the final day of the draft. With the addition of Johnson, the wide receiver room in Florham Park could be as followed:

• Breshad Perriman
• Denzel Mims
• Quincy Enunwa?
• Jamison Crowder
• Tyler Johnson
• Braxton Berrios
• Vyncint Smith

That’s a much better group than I thought we’d see when the season ended in January.

Adding as many pass-catchers as possible is just as important as protecting Sam Darnold with good offensive linemen to me. I’d rather not watch a Week 14 game where Darnold is throwing to Jeff Smith and Braxton Berrios, so the depth is nice as well.

The last three seasons at Minnesota were particularly productive for Johnson. He racked up 199 catches for 3,164 yards. He’s a big-bodied receiver who’d be the perfect addition in the late rounds for the Jets.

I doubt Johnson sees the fifth round, so if the Jets want to add another dynamic playmaker to the offense, they’ll have to do it early today.