Tag: Jedrick Wills Jr.

CBS Sports’ latest mock draft has the Bucs finding protection for Tom Brady

See which offensive tackle Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports thinks the Buccaneers will select in the first round to protect Tom Brady.

With news that quarterback Tom Brady is expected to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the question now becomes how do the Bucs protect him? The offensive line was a big issue last season, especially on the right side. Given that Brady will be 43 years old by the time next season starts, it’s imperative Tampa Bay keeps him upright.

Fortunately, the NFL draft is next month, and with the Bucs holding the 14th pick, they have a chance to find a solid offensive tackle to help protect Brady. Chris Trapasso over at CBS Sports put together his latest 2020 mock draft yesterday, and thinks Tampa Bay will use their first-round pick on Alabama OT Jedrick Wills Jr.

Per Trapasso:

“Now with Tom Brady in the mix, the Buccaneers have to prioritize strengthening the offensive line, and Wills is a plug-and-play right tackle.”

While there’s no such thing as a “sure thing” when it comes to the draft, it seems likely that OT will be the route the Bucs go in round one. Now that free agency has gotten underway, we know the Bucs will be bringing back both Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul next season, so earlier mock drafts suggesting the Bucs would take LSU edge K’Lavon Chaisson or DT Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina seem less likely now, especially with the expected signing of Brady.

Protect the Golden Boy at all costs.

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As the draft nears, Joe Douglas has plenty of offensive linemen to choose from

Joe Douglas has mutiple choices between players like Tristan Wirfs and Austin Jackson in the draft, as he attempts to rebuild the Jets’ OL.

From Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs to USC’s Austin Jackson, the Jets will have plenty of offensive linemen to choose from with the 11th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

A top-heavy tackle class, New York should be in a position to land the third or fourth-best prospect at the position. In addition to Wirfs and Jackson, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. round out an impressive group of tackles.

The Jets are scheduled to have a private workout with Wirfs this week, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. While Wirfs is widely regarded as one of the top-four tackles in the draft, Cimini adds that the consensus around the league is that there is no particular pecking order for the top tackles.

Free agency should help paint a clearer picture, as Joe Douglas will attempt to scour every avenue possible to upgrade one of the weakest units in the NFL last season.

Whether it’s acquiring Trent Williams in a trade, signing Jason Peters as a one-year holdover or making Jack Conklin the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL, the window of possibilities remain wide open before April’s draft.

Making a splash in March would enable Douglas to have more freedom with the first pick he makes at the helm of the Jets’ war room. Taking care of the offensive line in free agency would allow the Jets to target a wide receiver for Sam Darnold, someone like Oklahoma’s Ceedee Lamb or Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs III.

Still, if one of the five tackles mentioned is available, Douglas is going to make the pick in the best interest of the organization. Finding Darnold a No. 1 wideout is a priority this offseason, but it doesn’t matter if the third-year quarterback is not standing upright.

At the end of the day, Douglas, a former offensive lineman at the University of Richmond himself, knows the blueprint for success. As part of two of the most respected front offices’ in the NFL, Douglas has two rings to remind himself that it all starts in the trenches.

New PFF mock draft has Jets selecting Alabama OL Jedrick Wills Jr.

In Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, they have the Jets taking Alabama OL Jedrick Wills, Jr., who can plausibly play both tackle spots.

Pro Football Focus released a new mock draft as the NFL Scouting Combine got underway this week.

In this mock draft, PFF has the Jets taking Alabama OL Jedrick Wills Jr. with the 11th pick. With prospects Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Andrew Thomas already off the board, the Jets elect to take Wills over Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton, both, who tested excellently at the scouting combine on Friday.

Instead of taking a plug-and-play left tackle, the Jets opt for versatility. Here’s PFF’s explanation for the selection:

While Thomas ranks first among offensive tackles on PFF’s latest big board, Wills is right behind him at No. 9 overall and No. 2 among tackles. The former Alabama standout is expected to blow up the Combine from a testing standpoint considering his sheer athleticism and foot speed. Wills also recorded a 90.1 PFF run-blocking grade in the SEC this past season, a remarkable figure for a underclassman.

Since the start of the draft process, Wills has been working on his versatility and trying to show NFL teams that he can also play the left side at the next level. When Joe Douglas spoke with reporters at the combine, he mentioned that versatility would be a big factor when New York evaluates its options on the offensive line before April’s draft.

“Trying to do both because I know that’s something that teams have questions about,” Wills said. “Just trying to have that versatility. It’s something that’s new. Any time at a new position, there’s going to be a new feeling, but it’s something I’m trying to be comfortable with.”

Given the state of the Jets offensive line, Wills could start at both tackle positions depending on how the current Jets regime feels about Chuma Edoga, a player Douglas did not draft. Still, versatility is a trait the Jets are seeking out as they attempt to restructure the offensive line.

Wills is viewed as a potential top-five pick in the draft and arguably the best offensive lineman. It would be a surprise if Wills is on the board when the Jets make their selection, but if he is, this pick not only benefits Sam Darnold’s development, but it aids Le’Veon Bell as well.

Wills’ run-blocking grade should be something that intrigues the Jets. The team failed to adequately block and create running holes for Bell in 2019, which caused the All-Pro back to hit statistical lows in his first season in green and white.

Jets trade back, add capital in NFL Network’s pre-combine mock draft

In NFL Network’s three-round mock draft, the Jets trade back with the Denver Broncos and add Alabama OL Jedrick Wills Jr. with the 15th pick

With the NFL Combine next week in Indianapolis, the NFL Network released a three-round mock draft that includes multiple trades.

In this particular mock draft, the Jets trade back in the first round and add an extra pick on Day 2 and Day 3. While this mock draft has the Jets maximizing their value, some of the picks may be too good to be true. Obviously, the combine will help clear up any uncertainties, but players like TCU’s Jeff Gladney and Michigan’s Josh Uche could be dark horse first-round picks after they perform in front of teams next week.

With that said, let’s take a look at who the Jets got in NFL Network’s pre-combine mock draft.

Round 1: Jedrick Wills Jr. | OT | Alabama

(Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports)

In this scenario, as projected by NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter, the Jets trade back from No. 11 to No. 15 and pick up a third and fourth-round pick in the process.

The Broncos trade up for Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was just recently mocked to the Jets by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, while the Jets trade back four spots and land arguably the draft’s best tackle in Jedrick Wills Jr.

Here’s Reuter’s explanation for the trade-back and the draft choice:

Wills lived up to the recruiting hype in 2019, showing nice athleticism in pass pro and destroying his man in the run game. The Jets pick up third- and fourth-round picks from the Broncos in this trade scenario.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, it’s highly unlikely that Wills will be on the board for the 11th pick, let alone the 15th.

If he were there at No. 11, the Jets probably wouldn’t trade back with Denver and risk him being poached by the Raiders, Colts and Buccaneers. That trio of teams could be in the market for a tackle depending on how free agency shakes out.

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How D.J. Humphries’ extension with Cardinals helps the Jets

With D.J. Humphries signing a three-year, $45 million extension, it could take the Cardinals out of the market for a OT come draft day.

If the Jets want to draft a tackle in the first round of the NFL draft, an obstacle was just removed from their path there.

D.J. Humphries signed a three-year, $45 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. The new contract will pay Humphries $30 million over the first two years and $29 million guaranteed. It comes in the aftermath of the first 16-game season of his career.

The move to extend the 26-year-old tackle out of the University of Florida not only telegraphs Arizona’s draft plans, but it also helps out tackle-needy teams like the Jets that need the first 10 picks of April’s draft to bounce in their favor.

Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr., Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton are the four best offensive tackles in the draft, but there will be other interested teams before the Jets pick at No. 11. The Giants, Chargers, Panthers, Jaguars and Browns could all be in the market for the position. However, a run on quarterbacks and Humphries’ extension could pay dividends for New York, who has to rely on a little bit of luck for an offensive lineman to fall into their laps at 11.

Humphries was set to become an unrestricted free agent in March. While the Cardinals have re-upped their starting left tackle, who helped Arizona’s running game finish with a franchise-record 5.0 yards per carry last season, they still have multiple offensive lineman hitting the free agent market.

Veteran offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert is set to hit free agency, while Justin Murray, who ended the season as the starter, is a former undrafted free agent who has bounced around the league. With that, ESPN’s Mel Kiper still has Arizona taking Wirfs in his latest mock draft, citing Wirfs’ history on the right side and Gilbert’s impending free agency.

Still, it’s unknown whether Gilbert is also part of Arizona’ retention plan. According to Spotrac.com, Arizona had roughly $51.5 million in salary cap space, which was the 15th most across the league, prior to the Humphries’ extension.

With Humphries extended for the next three seasons, it could take Arizona out of the tackle market in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Players like Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, Alabama wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III and Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown all make sense for the Cardinals, who pick eighth overall.

While Arizona spent three of its draft picks in 2019 on receivers Hakeem Butler, Andy Isabella and KeSean Johnson, they are still seemingly in the market for a top-tier wideout. Larry Fitzgerald is signed back for his 17th season, while Christian Kirk has emerged as a legitimate No. 2. Still, there can never be enough wideouts in Kliff Kingsbury’s wide open attack, especially when developing a young quarterback.

This past season Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year, so the franchise seems bent on providing him with the best protection possible, something the Jets hope on supplementing Sam Darnold with this offseason.

The market for offensive tackles is expected to be competitive, with the Jets being one of several teams to throw their hats in the ring. Of course, Humphries helps set the market for similar offensive tackles, but it also takes one off the board as well. When the draft rolls around, there are no certainties that the Jets will still be in the market for a tackle; anything between now and the draft is in the cards for Gang Green.

For now, the Humphries extension and a potential run on quarterbacks projects well for Gang Green’s hopes of getting one of the draft’s top-four tackles.

Giants select Jedrick Wills, Julian Okwara in latest CBS Sports mock draft

The New York Giants select three players and address two major areas of need in the latest three-round CBS Sports mock draft.

The New York Giants have clear needs along both their offensive and defensive lines, which most experts expect the team to address in the early rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Such was the case during a mock draft courtesy of R.J. White from CBS Sports earlier this week, where the Giants went with a familiar offensive tackle in Round 1.

No. 4, Jedrick Wills Jr., OL

A proven commodity at the right tackle position, Wills can lock down that position in his rookie year and potential slide over to left tackle in 2021. He gives the Giants the upgrade they need in protection for their young QB.

Wills has become such a common (perhaps the most common?) mock to the Giants that there’s no sense in rehashing what we’ve already published a seemingly countless number of times. Needless to say, Wills would immediately step in at offensive tackle.

In Round 2, the Giants also go with a familiar face — the brother of one of their former players.

No. 36, Julian Okwara, EDGE

The Giants picked up offensive line help with their first pick, and now they pick up an edge rusher who could be in the mix to go in the first round despite an injury cutting his 2019 season short.

After the NFL Combine and some private workouts, it’s unlikely Okwara slips into Round 2, but crazier things have happened. If the Giants were able to get lucky and land both a starting offensive tackle in the first round and then a potential starting EDGE rusher in the second round, that would be a huge win for general manager Dave Gettleman.

Adding to the fun, White takes a gamble and actually projects the Giants’ third-round compensatory pick, sliding them into spot No. 70 overall.

No. 70, Lamar Jackson, CB

Projected comp pick. The Giants have to focus on upgrading their pass defense, and even if they can sign a quality starter in free agency, Jackson can still help depth at a position with more questions than answers.

Yet another young project cornerback… We’re not sure that’s the best approach for the Giants with all of their other needs, but many draft experts are trending toward the Giants taking both a cornerback and wide receiver over the first few rounds. We’ll see…

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Giants select hog molly, pass rusher in latest two-round PFF mock draft

Yes, New York Giants fans, it’s that time of year again. Mock draft season is in full swing with the 2020 NFL Draft about 10 weeks away. In Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, the world is the Giants’ oyster as they hold the fourth and 36th …

Yes, New York Giants fans, it’s that time of year again. Mock draft season is in full swing with the 2020 NFL Draft about 10 weeks away.

In Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, the world is the Giants’ oyster as they hold the fourth and 36th overall picks in the first two rounds.

Here’s who PFF has the Giants taking:

4. NEW YORK GIANTS — OT JEDRICK WILLS JR. ALABAMA

Wills is the most athletic tackle in a very athletic tackle class. He is a work in progress still in pass protection, but the strides he made toward the end of 2019 — when he allowed only four pressures over Alabama’s final six games — have us encouraged.

It should take wild horses to keep general manager Dave Gettleman from trading out of this spot, but he’ll likely stay put. That’s too bad. Although they really need tackle help, they can get that easily if they trade back plus add a few more players. This draft is loaded with quarterbacks and Gettleman’s phone should be ringing off the hook with teams looking to move up.

36. NEW YORK GIANTS – EDGE YETUR GROSS-MATOS, PENN STATE

Gross-Matos’ physical tools are too much to pass up here. He may not be an instant impact rusher, as his hands have a long way to go, but the Giants can afford to swing for the fences with their current roster construction.

This seems like a reach to me and the Giants can’t afford to be reaching. They really can’t be ‘swinging for the fences. They have to get players who are refined and ready tot hit the field running.

Gross-Matos has good size (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) and an excellent skill set, but so did Lorenzo Carter. A lot also depends on what defensive scheme the Giants want to play and where this young man would fit. I could live with this pick but it’s a long way from Chase Young, who they have going to Washington at No. 2.

If Gettleman trades out of the No. 4 spot and collects multiple picks in this draft, this would be a much better choice.

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2020 NFL Draft order finalized following Super Bowl

The New York Jets will pick 11th in the 2020 NFL Draft as the league’s first-round order is finalized following the Chiefs Super Bowl win.

With the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl on Sunday night, they officially locked up the 32nd pick and finalized the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

While there is a hiatus of football until spring OTAs, now is the time to closely follow mock drafts. The scouting combine will start at the end of this month and it will create a clearer picture as to what teams are planning to do with their picks.

After finishing 7-9, the Jets will pick just outside the top-10 at No. 11. While it’s known league-wide that the Jets want to fix the offensive line in the first round, it all depends on whether or not any of the top-heavy prospects in the renches will be there by the time New York makes its selection.

Players like Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. will be intriguing options for the Jets at No. 11.

Other options for the Jets include wide receivers Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb from Alabama and Oklahoma, respectively, or LSU pass-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. New York could move back, as it needs all the draft capital it can possibly get.

Here is a look at the finalized draft order as the NFL heads into the offseason:

1. Bengals

2. Redskins

3. Lions

4. Giants

5. Dolphins

6. Chargers

7. Panthers

8. Cardinals

9. Jaguars

10. Browns

11. Jets

12. Raiders

13. Colts

14. Buccaneers 

15. Broncos

16. Falcons

17. Cowboys

18. Dolphins (via Steelers)

19. Raiders (via Bears)

20. Jaguars (via Rams)

21. Eagles

22. Bills

23. Patriots

24. Saints

25. Vikings

26. Dolphins (via Texans)

27. Seahawks

28. Ravens

29. Titans

30. Packers

31. 49ers

32. Chiefs

Giants select Jedrick Wills Jr. in latest USA TODAY mock draft

The New York Giants select Alabama OT Jedrick Wills Jr. in latest USA TODAY mock draft.

In USA TODAY’s latest 2020 NFL mock draft, it’s no surprise who the first two players off the board were.

The Cincinnati Bengals, barring something out of the ordinary, will take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and the Washington Redskins, at No. 2 are said to be stitching Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young’s jersey as we speak.

After those two formalities are out of the way, the Detroit Lions could do a number of things. According to USAT’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, the Lions will select another Buckeye, Jeff Okudah, widely considered to be the top cornerback in this draft class.

So, where does that leave the Giants? Naturally, they would have loved Young, but even if Washington passed on him, or somehow traded out for a team looking for a quarterback, it’s hard to think Detroit would pass on him.

Middlehurst-Schwartz believes the Giants will do something logical with this pick and finally take an offensive lineman — Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., a 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior who seems to fit general manager Dave Gettleman’s ‘hog mollie’ mantra.

“New coach Joe Judge seemed to be channeling general manager Dave Gettleman when he vowed the Giants would employ an “old-school, physical mentality.” That mentality might push them toward Wills, a surprisingly fleet-footed protector who erases opponents in the run game.”

The Giants had trouble getting Saquon Barkley sprung this year and Wills could go a long way in doing that. He would be the team’s left tackle, displacing veteran Nate Solder, and make left guard Will Hernandez that much better.

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2020 NFL draft: Why Jets will have tough time addressing biggest need in Round 1

The Jets find themselves in an undesirable situation with the No. 11 pick and needing offensive line help in April’s draft.

While a 6-2 finish to the Jets’ season shows the franchise is headed in the right direction, the hot streak came with consequences.

Gang Green has the 11th overall pick in April’s draft. With the Jets needing to undergo a full rebuild on the offensive line, picking outside of the top-10 is less than ideal when it comes to this draft class.

Finding a franchise tackle remains a top priority for the Jets. With that said, there seems to be a consensus that three tackles will be selected in front of the Jets. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. seem destined to go in front of New York.

Wirfs has yet to declare for the draft, while first-round prospect Alex Leatherwood announced his attention to return to the University of Alabama.

The Giants, Dolphins, Chargers, Cardinals and Browns all need considerable help on the offensive line. The Jets have to cross their fingers and hope that there is a run on talented receivers and potential franchise quarterbacks before the team’s pick.

Potential players available for the Jets picking at No. 11 could be Iowa edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos, Stanford CB Paulson Adebo, Alabama CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III and Clemson WR Tee Higgins.

In a pipe dream scenario the two most dynamic wide receivers in the class, Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, could fall to the Jets, but neither option seems plausible at this point in time. Even if that were the case, while the Jets need receiver help, the line is still the biggest issue.

The Jets may not be able to address the tackle position in the first round and they have to accept that. However, that should not prevent New York from attempting to fix the interior of the offensive line.

Wisconsin IOL Tyler Biadasz, Washington IOL Nick Harris and Oklahoma IOL Creed Humphrey all could be had in the latter portion of the first round if the Jets decide to trade back.

This draft is deep with wide receivers and cornerbacks and the Jets desperately need to add more talent on both sides of the football, especially on Joe Douglas’ first go around.

Whether it’s staying put or trading back, the Jets have to come away with offensive line help on Day 1 of the 2020 NFL draft. They have their work cut out for them this offseason and everyone in the organization knows that New York will only go as far as its play in the trenches.

Actually addressing those holes will be easier said than done, though. Especially in the draft.