2020 NFL draft: Jets take OL with first pick in Matt Miller’s latest mock

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has released his post-regular season mock draft, check out to see who Miller has the Jets picking throughout.

With the regular season coming to a close on Sunday, mock draft season has already begun. With the order for non-playoff teams set, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller released his post-regular season mock draft on Monday.

The Jets are locked into the 11th pick with the top-20 of the draft order officially set in stone.

In the first round, Miller has the Jets addressing their glaring hole on the offensive line. From there, they fill out their roster with playmakers that would have a chance to contribute right away.

Let’s take a look and see who Miller has the Jets taking in his three-round, post-regular season mock draft.

First Round: Jedrick Willis Jr. | OT | Alabama

(Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports)

Fixing the offensive line must be a priority this offseason.

With Joe Douglas’ first draft pick as the team’s general manager, Matt Miller has Douglas seeking immediate help in the trenches by taking Jedrick Willis Jr., an offensive tackle out of Alabama.

Here’s Miller’s explanation for the pick:

The New York Jets should be smiling all the way to the podium when the card is sent in with my top-ranked offensive tackle coming off the board to protect Sam Darnold.

Darnold, when protected well this year, showed all the tools to be a very good starting NFL quarterback. The trouble was that he was rarely well-protected as the Jets’ offensive line was ravaged by injury.

Drafting Wills, who was tasked with protecting Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side as the Alabama right tackle, gives the Jets a Week 1 answer at left tackle. His movement skills are the best of any tackle in the 2020 class, and his technique is pro-ready.

Receiver is a huge need, as is edge-rusher, but protecting Darnold has to be the top priority for general manager Joe Douglas in his first draft.