NY Jets: 5 players to target on Day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft

3. The NY Jets could target OT James Hudson

The Jets already addressed the offensive line on Day 1, but that won’t prevent them from doing so again on Day 3. If they do, one player who makes a ton of sense as a target is Cincinnati’s James Hudson.

Hudson emerged as a potential mid-round prospect following a standout 2020 season that saw him named first-team All-AAC after starting 10 games at left tackle for the Bearcats.

Originally a four-star defensive tackle recruit at Michigan, Hudson transferred to Cincinnati and moved to the offensive line in 2018. As such, he remains a bit raw as a prospect.

That said, the athletic/physical traits are there for him to develop into a quality starting tackle in the NFL.

Hudson stands at 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, and possesses fantastic lateral mobility making him a great potential fit in a zone-blocking scheme. He’s mobile, but also has a nasty side to him with a mean streak when finishing his blocks.

He’ll take some time to develop in the NFL, and he lacks the ideal length you look for in an offensive tackle. But as a Day 3 developmental tackle prospect, he might be your best bet.

The Jets could draft Hudson as an immediate replacement for Chuma Edoga as the team’s young, athletic, developmental swing tackle with the hope that he could eventually take over for George Fant as the long-term answer at right tackle.

Hudson is a scheme fit at a position of need with the potential to develop into a quality starter. Certainly someone worth taking a chance on.

Next: 2. Kenneth Gainwell and Michael Carter