With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in the books, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his latest mock draft on Monday.
In his new projection, Jeremiah has the Jets making a surprise selection with the 11th pick. With the top-four offensive linemen already off the board, Jeremiah has the Jets taking Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson over Alabama wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb.
Here’s his explanation for the pick:
It sounds like the Jets will aggressively address the offensive line in free agency. If so, they can address their need at cornerback right here.
Rumors out of Indianapolis expect the Jets to aggressively pursue the offensive line market, showing interest in free agents like Jack Conklin, Joe Thuney, Graham Glasgow and Bryan Bulaga.
Jeremiah has consistently been one of the most accurate mock drafters each year. With the Jets presumably already taking care of the offensive side of the ball in free agency, Joe Douglas opts to take a cornerback with his first draft choice as Jets general manager.
Henderson turned heads at the combine with his speed. Standing at 6-foot, 204 pounds, the University of Florida product posted a 4.39 40-yard dash on Sunday, finishing second-fastest of all of this year’s defensive backs.
In Henderson, the Jets would be getting a smooth cornerback who has the speed and athleticism to stay with speedy wideouts. He’s more than willing to help in run support and make the necessary open-field tackle. Henderson is a twitchy cornerback who has the ball skills and burst to be a No. 1 CB at the next level.
Despite it filling a position of need, this pick wouldn’t exactly lead an already impatient fanbase to warm up to Douglas. Whiffing on one of the top offensive linemen or wide receivers would be a major misstep for an organization trying to rebuild its young talent through the draft.