New York Jets Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions
The New York Jets opted for value over need with their first-round selection.
The Jets made Leonard Williams the first draft pick in the Mike Maccagnan-Todd Bowles era. It was certainly a good one, as Williams is considered by some to be the best overall prospect in this year's class.
He should be an immediate game-changer on the defensive line and could be a perennial Pro Bowler for Gang Green.
However, the USC product doesn't fill one of New York's pressing needs. Maccagnan and Co. now will try to address holes at outside linebacker, wide receiver, running back and offensive line with just five picks.
It will be difficult for the Jets to do, and they could certainly trade down in an effort to add more picks.
Since trades, especially in the later rounds, are too difficult to project, we'll try to predict which direction New York goes with its own five selections.
Click through for the full Jets' mock draft after Day 1.
Round 2
1 of 6Pick 37: Dorial Green Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
After selecting a defensive player in the first round for the seventh consecutive time, the Jets have to go offense with their second pick of the draft.
Plenty of intriguing options are available after the end of Day 1, including Oregon tackle Jake Fisher and running back Ameer Abdullah, but none of them possesses the potential upside of Green-Beckham.
He only fell to the second round because of concerns with his character. The concerns are legitimate, as he was kicked off Missouri's football team and has been arrested twice for marijuana-related incidents.
However, the 22-year-old has top-10 talent no matter how you slice it. He boasts terrific size (6'5'', 237 lbs) and speed, as well as top-notch athleticism and hands. If he can improve his route-running ability, he could be an elite receiver at the NFL level.
The Oklahoma product would be a high-risk, high-reward selection for Gang Green, but given the team's lack of young weapons on offense, he should be the pick if he is still available at No. 37.
Round 3
2 of 6
Pick 70: A.J. Cann, Offensive Guard, South Carolina
Even though New York needs an edge pass-rusher, the more urgent need has to be offensive line after the team selected Leonard Williams in the first round.
Tre' Jackson and Ali Marpet are also potential options here, but given the Jets' lack of viable options at guard, they need a player who can start from Day 1.
A.J. Cann is capable of being that guy. He needs to improve his technique in pass protection, but he boasts enough athleticism to do so. Cann boasts a prototypical frame for an NFL guard, as well as a strong upper body and powerful hands.
The South Carolina product would be far from a sexy pick, and he will probably never reach Pro Bowl heights, but he would give Gang Green an effective starter who could anchor the interior of the line for years to come.
Round 4
3 of 6Pick 104: David Johnson, Running Back, Northern Iowa
On first glance, the Jets have plenty of options in the backfield.
However, neither Chris Ivory nor Stevan Ridley is a burner by any means or contributes enough in the passing game to be an effective third-down back.
David Johnson would be a perfect complement to Ivory and Ridley, as he boasts an outstanding combination of size (6'1", 224 lbs), speed and pass-catching ability.
The Northern Iowa product is capable of sliding out of the backfield and contributing big plays in the receiving game, and he has the breakaway ability to take dump-offs the distance.
Johnson could also emerge as an early-down back as well, as he has the power and physicality to plow through defenders for additional yardage.
If he falls past the first three rounds, he would be an ideal pick for Gang Green. Former Michigan State star Jeremy Langford would be more than a fine consolation prize, however.
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Round 5
4 of 6
The Jets traded their fifth-round pick (142nd overall) to the Chicago Bears for wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
Round 6
5 of 6
The Jets traded their sixth-round selection (181st overall) to the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver Percy Harvin.
Round 7
6 of 6
Pick 223: Jermaine Whitehead, Safety, Auburn
Whitehead remains my choice for New York's first pick of the final round, as he would bring both upside and depth to a position of need.
Gang Green has last year's first-round selection Calvin Pryor and free-agent addition Marcus Gilchrist at safety, but neither player is a sure thing in coverage. There isn't much talent behind them on the depth chart either.
Whitehead has had some off-field issues in the past, as he was suspended four games for a verbal altercation with his positional coach last season. However, there aren't many guys with his kind of man-to-man cover skills available this late in the draft.
Whitehead is athletic enough to match up with slot receivers at the NFL level, and he has good ball skills as well. If he can improve his tackling ability, he could be a surprising contributor early on in his career.
Pick 224: Darryl Baldwin, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
The Jets have to add as much youth to the offensive line as possible, so selecting another lineman is probably a smart idea.
Baldwin lacks ideal quickness and has subpar athleticism. He also fails to get low enough to the ground to avoid being beaten by opposing pass-rushers. Therefore, he will probably never be a starter in the NFL.
Nonetheless, the Ohio State product could prove to be a capable backup because of his freakishly long arms and solid upper-body strength.
Baldwin is far from a sexy pick, but he would be a solid selection this late in the draft.
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