If it feels like we’ve been breaking down this draft for the Jets since October, that’s because we have.
Once the Jets started 0-7 last season, fans and media started thinking about this week’s NFL draft and what the Jets might do to fix the team. When they traded Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to pick up more premium picks this year and next, the discussion only got louder.
After months of speculation, conjecture and guessing, we’re going to see what general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn actually do when the Draft arrives Thursday.
Until then? One more mock draft.
Here is my mock draft 5.0 and my final predictions for what the Jets could do using Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator.
Jets mock 1.0 | Jets mock 2.0 | Jets mock 3.0 | Jets mock 4.0
Round 1, No. 2 overall: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
Previous Picks at No. 2: Reese, David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech, trade down to No. 4 to take Reese
Reese or Bailey, Bailey or Reese. It’s been discussed ad nauseum for weeks. I’m sticking with Reese here. My instinct all along has been the Jets will take Reese despite noise about Bailey. The news that the Jets canceled the visit with Bailey carries weight with me. I just can’t understand why you would not want to spend as much time as possible with a player you are considering with the second pick in the Draft. That makes no sense to me.
Reese is a chess piece for Glenn to use in his defense. Yes, he might not be a polished pass rusher but he can contribute immediately in plenty of other areas.
Round 1, No. 16 overall: Trade pick Nos. 16 and 103 to the Panthers for pick Nos. 19 and 51
Previous picks: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington, Makai Lemon, WR, USC, Trade up to 10 to take Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State, Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I think there may be a run on tackles around here and the Jets can move down and still get a receiver.
Round 1, No. 19 overall: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
OK, I know people are going to say Tyson won’t be here, but he was in this simulation. Remember, you would have thought it was crazy if I mocked Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round last year. No one knows how the Draft will go.
Tyson might be the best receiver in this draft but there are medical questions. If the Jets doctors give Mougey the OK, he should take this playmaker.
Round 2, No. 33 overall: Trade pick Nos. 33 and 140 to the Cardinals for pick No. 34 and a 2027 second-round pick
Previous Picks: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida, Trade down with Dolphins, Denzel Boston, WR, Washington, CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Another trade! The Jets should auction this pick off on Friday afternoon before Round 2. The Jets can create a market with multiple teams trying to move up. In this scenario, the Cardinals move up one spot and give the Jets a second-round pick in 2027, which is considered the better draft.
Round 2, No. 34 overall: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Woods was considered a potential top-five pick entering last season but a disappointing year drops him down. Let’s give Glenn another piece on the defensive line.
Round 2, No. 44 overall: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Previous PIcks: Brandon Cisse, CB, USC, A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Do you sense a defensive theme? I think the Jets need some dudes on that side of the ball and Allen is another one. If the Jets draft Allen along with Reese, I would try to trade Jamien Sherwood for a 2027 pick.
Round 2, No. 51 overall: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
Stukes has position versatility. He can play cornerback, nickel or safety. I’m projecting him as a safety for the Jets. They added Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton this offseason, but I think they could use a potential long-term starter back there.
Round 5, No. 179 overall: Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
Previous Picks: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon, Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati, Drew Allar, QB, Penn State, Marlin Klein, TE, MIchigan
I am a little upset I had to give up my fourth-round picks in earlier trades, but that’s the price. With my first pick on Day 3, I’m taking a quarterback. Green is a project, but he is an athletic one.
Round 7, No. 228 overall: Collin Wright, CB, Stanford
Previous Picks: Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois, Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan, Deven Eastern, DT, Minnesota, Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
Frank Reich is the offensive coordinator but this is one of his defensive captains from last year at Stanford.
Round 7, No. 242 overall: Will Ferrin, K, BYU
Previous Picks: Jakobe Thomas, S, MIami, Ricardo Hallman, CB, Wisconsin, Skyler Thomas, S, Oregon State, Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
I continue to bang the drum for a kicker late in the draft.
