The Jets’ first choice is clear. Now the focus is on what they will do with number 23 and overall 34. Joe Douglas, general manager of the Jets, has a number of different directions he can go.
In our second seven-round NFL spot of the year, we fill two giant needs with choice. This week we used The Draft Network’s sham puller to determine who would be available at the Jets locations. Dane Brugler’s draft guide on The Athletic was used for some of the statistics and exploration points. Here is our concept:
Round 1 (No. 2) – QB Zach Wilson, BYU
This choice does not need much explanation. Let’s go over the interesting.
Round 1 (No. 23) – CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Here’s an injury risk that could deter Douglas. He had just undergone surgery in March, but doctors recently told him he would be ready for a training camp. If the operation had not been done, he might have been the first or second diagonal taken this year. Farley, a former quarterback in high school, is a freak athlete who can fix the hole on the corner of the Jets. He did not opt for the 2020 season and only played the position for two years after moving there as a second-year student. Yet his athletic ability may be too good to pass up.
Round 2 (No. 34) – C / G Landon Dickerson, Alabama
The doctors can make it impossible. Dickerson had serious injuries at the university with four of his five seasons ending with an injury. He began his career in Florida State, becoming the first true freshman line to start there since 1982. He tore the ACL in both knees, also in November the left one. Ankle injuries ended two other seasons. If the doctors make the choice, Dickerson could be a steal. The Jets can use him on guard or in the middle.
Round 3 (No. 66) – LB Jabril Cox, LSU
Cox spent his first four seasons in the state of North Dakota before transferring to LSU last year. He’s very good coverage (nine careers intercepted), something the Jets need in Robert Saleh’s defense. He was a team captain (something Douglas was looking for) in his one year with the Tigers.
Round 3 (No. 86) – RB Michael Carter, North Carolina
The Jets need to catch up in the running room and Carter is an interesting prospect. He’s small (5-foot-7), so he won’t do much work between tackles, but is capable of making big plays (23 plays of 20 yards plus in 2020).
Round 4 (No. 107) – RAND Victor Dimukeje, Duke
One choice after taking a tarmac, we head down the road for a Blue Devil. Dimukeje started 49 consecutive games at Duke and had 21 akke career pockets. Saleh needs depth in the defensive line and Dimukeje can provide that.
Round 5 (No. 146) – WR Seth Williams, Auburn
I would have loved to take a wide receiver sooner, but this team has so many holes to fill that I waited. Williams is a value in the fifth round because some make him rise higher. He is 6 feet-3 and can win contested catches.
Round 5 (No. 154) – CB Ambry Thomas, Michigan
Another choice in search of value. Thomas was only a one-time starter in Michigan and then moved in last year, but he is an athletics corner who is a bit backwards and that he can play special teams early in his career.
Round 6 (No. 186) – EDGE Jonathon Cooper, State of Ohio
He was a two-time captain for the Buckeyes and missed the 2019 season with an ankle injury, but returned last year to score 24 eights and 3 ½ bags in eight games.
Round 6 (No. 226) – WR Demetric Felton, UCLA
Felton played at UCLA as a running and wide receiver and could be a versatile attacking weapon like the 49ers had with Deebo Samuel in this offense.