The NY Jets will be looking to upgrade the wide receiver position in the offseason. And if they look to the 2021 NFL Draft to do so, one player who makes a ton of sense as a mid-round target is Auburn’s Anthony Schwartz.
Schwartz is one of the fastest players in this class and currently projected as a Day 3 prospect in a deep wide receiver class. And the Jets are reportedly showing interest.
Per Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Jets are one of eight teams that have met with the speedy wideout thus far ahead of the draft. Along with the Jets, AFC East rivals the New England Patriots have also met with Schwartz.
In a notably stacked wide receiver class, Schwartz could fly a little under-the-radar, but his talent should not be overlooked.
Anthony Schwartz is a very intriguing target for the NY Jets
Dubbed “the fastest man in college football,” Schwartz is an accomplished track-and-field star with blazing speed and immense athleticism. The Florida native won multiple gold medals in the under-20 national and world championships and his speed translates to the gridiron.
In three years at Auburn, Schwartz hauled in 117 catches for 1,433 yards and six touchdowns while also adding an additional 323 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
At 6-foot, 179 pounds, Schwartz doesn’t have the largest frame but he’s never been one to shy away from contact. For a so-called “track guy,” Schwartz possesses impressive physicality and can win quite often in 50/50 situations.
For that reason, he’s one of the best pure deep threats in this class.
His 4.30 speed and strong hands give him intriguing potential in a vertical passing offense. And while that’s not exactly the system that new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is expected to run, he could still be valuable to the Jets.
Schwartz is probably best fit in the slot at the NFL level, but he has experience playing on the outside as well and could make for an appealing Z-receiver in the pros.
With the expected departure of Breshad Perriman this offseason, the Jets will be looking for a prototypical Z-receiver who could double as a downfield threat. Schwartz is that guy, and he could serve as a perfect compliment to 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims.
Schwartz is currently projected anywhere from a third to a sixth-rounder making him a probable early Day 3 candidate. The Jets could look to scoop him up later in the draft as they reshape their wide receiver corps this offseason.
The Jets need speed on offense and Anthony Schwartz could certainly help with that.