NY Jets: 3 positions to avoid with the No. 23 overall pick

Jonny Bisby

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This year’s 2021 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most important in the recent history of the NY Jets.

Having traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, the Jets are certain to take a quarterback at second overall, with Zach Wilson expected to become the new face of the franchise.

What is still uncertain, however, is who they will be taking at No. 23 overall. But with the draft now less than two weeks away, we are starting to get more of a picture as to who the Jets will be targeting.

With so many holes all over the roster, their needs are plain and clear for all to see. General manager Joe Douglas has the audacious task of filling these gaps and shaping the organization up for future success.

Their offensive line and cornerback position are arguably the Jets’ biggest problem areas outside of the quarterback position.

So, unless something drastic happens and an unexpected top player at a different position is still available, the Jets should be looking to target the best possible player in those positions with their No. 23 pick.

Having made too many errors early in recent drafts, they cannot afford to make similar mistakes again.

Here are some of the positions that the Jets shouldn’t look to improve using their second first-round selection.

Next: 3. Edge rusher

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3. The NY Jets shouldn’t target an edge rusher at No. 23

This is absolutely no disrespect to the 2021 edge rusher class, which has the potential to be one of the best we’ve seen for a long time, at least in terms of depth.

With players like Kwity Paye and Azeez Ojulari widely expected to be taken within the top-20 selections and other prospects like Jayson Oweh, Jaelan Phillips, Joe Tryon, and Gregory Rousseau also on the board, there are plenty of options available to draft at the position.

The Jets have needed to address their pass rush for years and earlier in the year, I outlined why the area was a key target area for the early selections in the draft.

But, we must consider how much they have improved following free agency.

After a breakout year from Quinnen Williams in 2020, the Jets have followed up by signing the impressive Carl Lawson, as well as defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, now giving them a very solid defensive line for 2021.

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Adding another edge rusher would, on paper, give the Jets one of the best defensive lines in the entire NFL.

Nonetheless, the Jets will select a quarterback second overall and, despite as tempting selecting an edge rusher early will be, protecting the new QB must then be the next priority. Taking an edge rusher this early would be a risky option.

Elsewhere, should they instead choose to use this selection on their defense, the Jets should address the cornerback position and use this pick to improve in that area.

Jaycee Horn would be the best-case scenario for the Jets at No. 23, but other cornerbacks including Caleb Farley and Greg Newsome could be excellent selections if available.

If none of these are still around but a top edge rusher remains on the board at the time of their second selection, then maybe the Jets could think about taking one. Ojulari and Phillips particularly would be outstanding selections if they fall to No. 23.

But overall, with the edge class deep and extensive, the Jets will have other opportunities to address the position. Bringing in another edge rusher from the early rounds certainly shouldn’t be out of the question for the Jets, but ideally not with the 23rd overall selection.

Next: 2. Running back

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2. The NY Jets shouldn’t target a running back at No. 23

Make no mistake, the Jets do need to find their true No. 1 running back for the future.

La’Mical Perine had a quiet rookie year in 2020 and while recent the acquisition of Tevin Coleman should help Mike LaFleur implement his offense, he’s hardly a top-tier option.

Looking to the 2021 NFL Draft, there should be quite a few excellent running backs available. Clemson’s Travis Etienne is someone the Jets have been linked to in mock drafts by many commentators and the man himself also recently said he would ‘fit perfectly’ with Gang Green.

He’s an explosive ball carrier and is one of the most productive players entering the draft, having racked up almost 5,000 yards during four years at college. Overall, Etienne would be a good addition for the Jets.

Just not at No. 23 overall.

There are too many other significant holes on the current roster that Joe Douglas must address first, rather than using one of his precious early picks on a running back.

Taking Etienne in the second round would be a better move than in the first. But considering their other needs, there are plenty of options for the Jets to take a running back later in the draft.

Javonte Williams, Kenneth Gainwell, or Michael Carter may still be on the board by the time the Jets select in Round 3, so waiting until then would make much more sense.

As previously stated, they should focus on selecting a cornerback or an offensive lineman in the first round, not a running back.

Next: 1. Wide receiver

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1. The NY Jets shouldn’t target a wide receiver at No. 23

Having signed Corey Davis and Keelan Cole during free agency, the Jets have already started to address the wide receiver corps this offseason.

With the new recruits coming in alongside the consistent Jamison Crowder and the developing Denzel Mims, the Jets now have a solid wideout group for 2021, giving them one of the best foursomes they’ve seen in years.

As a result, the position should no longer be considered one of the more pressing needs in the upcoming draft. That’s not to say that the Jets shouldn’t make additions there later in the draft. Just ideally, not at No. 23.

Players like Terrace Marshall Jr. and Elijah Moore have shot up the draft rankings in recent weeks and both have been suggested as possible targets for the Jets.

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But considering the talent that is likely to be available elsewhere, the Jets should not be looking at these players.

Kadarius Toney is possibly the only receiver worth considering that could potentially be available, but even his stock has been rising rapidly, so he could be taken by another team earlier in the first round.

Offensively, the Jets should focus on bolstering their line options and should be targeting players like Teven Jenkins or Creed Humphrey.

There is plenty of depth in the 2021 wideout class meaning the Jets should be able to select a decent receiver later on. We’ve highlighted Auburn’s Anthony Schwartz as an interesting prospect to look at on Day 2/Day 3 of the draft, for example.

The Jets shouldn’t use their No. 23 pick on a wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft, instead looking to later in the draft to address the position.

Jonny Bisby