Tag: Todd McShay Mock Draft Jets

2021 NFL draft: Kiper, McShay release final mocks, including a Jets trade

In Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.’s final mock draft, the analysts both have the Jets selecting Zach Wilson, while differing at No. 23.

It’s draft day.

Naturally, Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. are out with their final projections for this weekend’s event. The two ESPN draft analysts agree upon New York’s No. 2 pick, as Zach Wilson has been the expected selection since the Jets parted ways with Sam Darnold earlier this month.

Here’s McShay’s explanation for pairing Wilson with Gang Green:

The Jets chose to move on from Sam Darnold earlier this month, and Wilson would provide them with an excellent replacement as a QB who can read the defense, make all the throws and create when pushed out of the pocket. But like the Jags, the Jets need to continue building on offense with five total picks on Days 1 and 2.

While McShay indicates that the Jets need to keep building on offense with the remainder of their high draft choices, he pairs New York with Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II to round out Gang Green’s first round.

Here’s his explanation for New York’s second first-round selection:

The Jets might look at offensive line here, but Newsome would give their defense a spark with his speed, versatility and strong press coverage. The Jets had the third-worst completion percentage allowed last season (69.1%), so the picks can’t all go to the offense.

As for Kiper, he has the Jets trading up to select an offensive lineman. He projects that New York will strike a trade with Arizona, moving up to No. 16 to select USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker.

According to the NFL draft pick value chart, the 16th pick is worth 1,000 points, while the 23rd pick is worth 760. That means New York would likely have to come up with 240 points in additional draft compensation.

New York’s third-round pick (No. 66) is worth 260 points, so that would be more than enough for Gang Green to move up seven spots to select Vera-Tucker, who has the versatility to play guard or tackle at the next level.

Last week, Joe Douglas indicated that the Jets have laid the “groundwork” on moving up if a player they covet becomes available.

While New York can obviously go any which way with its second first-round pick, both Newsome and Vera-Tucker are names that have been linked to the Jets.

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Jets pick Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy in Todd McShay’s post-combine mock

Jets opt for Jerry Jeudy over Andrew Thomas in Todd McShay’s post-combine mock draft.

With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine behind us, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay released his latest mock draft on Tuesday.

With Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills Jr. off the board, McShay has the Jets addressing their need at wide receiver with their first-round pick, selecting Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy over Georgia’s Andrew Thomas.

Here’s McShay’s explanation for the pick:

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Jets go offensive line here. But rather than reaching here after those three tackles went off the board, let’s get Sam Darnold someone to throw to — especially since Robby Anderson might suit up elsewhere in 2020. Jeudy is a masterful route runner and tracks the deep ball extremely well. He’d be an instant target for Darnold in a passing game that was one of four to average fewer than 200 yards and score fewer than 20 touchdowns last season.

McShay, who knows Douglas from when the two were teammates at the University of Richmond, hints that offensive line could very well be the pick here. Many continue to believe and would be surprised if the Jets go any other route than offensive tackle.

McShay is a lot lower on Thomas than other draft analysts and pundits. He believes that after Becton, Wirfs, Wills, Josh Jones and Austin Jackson, there is a “big, big dropoff,” noticeably leaving off Thomas. However, he appears to be alone on that front. Thomas only helped himself with his combine performance and presumably would be the Jets’ choice with the 11th pick in this scenario.

As for Jeudy, he is universally viewed as the best wideout in this year’s draft class. In 2019. Jeudy was among the top receivers in the country, starting all 13 games and leading the University of Alabama with 77 receptions for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns to repeat as a first-team all-conference pick.

In Jeudy, the Jets would be getting a unique talent who can aid Sam Darnold’s development right away. He’s a route-running technician who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Between his ball tracking ability and breakaway speed, the Jets would be getting an immediate lift at the receiver position.

Jets pick Louisville OL Mekhi Becton in Todd McShay’s post-Super Bowl mock

With four offensive linemen already off the board, the Jets opt for Louisville’s Mekhi Becton is Todd McShay’s second mock draft of 2020.

In Todd McShay’s latest mock draft, the Jets take a plug-and-play tackle and break tradition in the process.

In his second prediction of the first-round, New York breaks its 13-year drought of not taking an offensive lineman in the first round. McShay has the Jets taking Louisville OT Mekhi Becton with the 11th pick. In this mock, Alabama’s Jedrick Willis Jr., Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Houston’s Josh Jones are already off the board, leaving Joe Douglas to pick between Becton and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas.

Here’s McShay’s explanation for the pick:

This is another clear mix of need and value. First, the Jets allowed 52 sacks in 2019, the fourth-most in the NFL. Second, left tackle Kelvin Beachum is a free agent. Becton and that massive 6-foot-7 frame would not only help protect Sam Darnold’s blindside but also spark a Le’Veon Bell-led run game that never took off, finishing 31st in the league (78.6 yards per game), ahead of only the Dolphins. It makes a ton of sense, but don’t be surprised to see the Jets kick the offensive line problem down the road in favor of finding an impact pass-rusher or shutdown cornerback. The problem is finding one outside the top 10.

McShay, who knows Douglas from when the two were teammates at the University of Richmond, hinted that there’s a possibility that the Jets could pick a pass-rusher or cornerback. Obviously, that’s a possibility for Gang Green that cannot be overlooked, with there being 10 teams picking in front of them.

Becton has been a fast-rising player, especially because of his size, standing at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds. He’s an athletic blocker with the size, length and skill to become a top offensive lineman.

The Lousiville product’s footwork and lateral movement for his size is pretty impressive, as well as the power he shows off. He is a power-mover in the run-game. He has the feet to stay at left tackle but needs to keep his weight in check.

2020 NFL draft: Jets take plug and play tackle in Todd McShay’s first mock

In ESPN’s Todd McShay’s latest mock, he has the Jets taking University of Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with the No. 7 overall pick.

In Todd McShay’s first 2020 mock draft, the Jets break tradition.

New York has gone the past 13 years without drafting an offensive lineman. However, the Jets break that streak in the ESPN’s personality’s first mock draft.

McShay has the Jets taking Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with the seventh overall pick. In this mock, Thomas is the first offensive lineman off the board.

Here’s McShay’s explanation for the pick:

When you invest an early draft pick in a franchise quarterback, as the Jets did with Sam Darnold in 2018, you have protect him. New York hasn’t, allowing 48 sacks this season (fourth most in the NFL). Both tackle positions could be upgraded in the offseason. Thomas is athletic and powerful, and he shows natural ability in the trenches.

Thomas officially declared for the draft on Tuesday. He’s a player that should be at the top of the Jets’ draft board given their continuous struggles on the offensive line. Kelvin Beachum is also set to become a free agent.

The last time the Jets took an offensive lineman in the first round was 2006. With Eric Mangini calling the shots, the Jets double-dipped on offesnive line help, selecting Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson in Round 1.

Thomas won’t immediately solve the Jets’ problems on the offensive line, but he can only help one of the league’s worst units. The Georgia product would be a building block of the future as Sam Darnold’s blindside blocker. Joe Douglas knows is a former offensive lineman and knows it all starts in the trenches, so don’t be surprised if this pick comes to fruition.