New York Jets Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions
After months of scouting, reports and speculations, the NFL draft is finally upon us.
On Thursday night, Roger Goodell will step up to the podium in Chicago and announce the next batch of NFL stars.
The New York Jets hope to walk away from the draft as winners, despite having just six selections in all.
It will be the new regime's first draft since taking over earlier this offseason, and it aims to turn around the franchise's poor recent draft history.
Mike Maccagnan and Co. have had a successful first offseason in charge, but they will ultimately be judged on how New York fares in the draft.
Maccagnan has proved to be unafraid to making bold moves, so Gang Green could go in a variety of directions this weekend.
Let's take a look at the final mock draft for Gang Green with the draft just hours away.
Round 1
1 of 7Pick 6: Vic Beasley, Outside Linebacker, Clemson
I have been projecting Beasley to the Jets for months now, and I'm certainly not going to stop doing so now.
Unless the team decides to trade down, Beasley should be its man.
He is the best pure pass-rusher in this year's draft class. He lacks ideal size (6'3", 246 lbs), but his speed, athleticism and quickness of the snap are unmatched by other prospects.
The 22-year-old also boasts an array of elite pass-rushing moves and an exceptional motor, and he is coming off a highly productive collegiate career at Clemson in which he recorded 33 sacks and 52.5 tackles for loss in just 25 starts.
The Jets have lacked a dangerous edge pass-rusher for years now, and Beasley would give them just that. He is a perfect fit for Todd Bowles' blitz-heavy defensive scheme, and he should be effective from Day 1.
With a reinvigorated secondary, New York's defense should be a stout unit. But a pass-rusher of Beasley's quality could put it over the top into elite territory.
Other Potential Options: Amari Cooper (WR), Kevin White (WR), Brandon Scherff (OL), Bud Dupree (OLB)
Round 2
2 of 7Pick 37: Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
Despite adding Brandon Marshall to the fold this offseason, the Jets need more receiving talent to aid whoever will be under center this upcoming season.
Owner Woody Johnson certainly thinks so, as he said New York is "going to get...more targets" earlier this week, per Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post.
Johnson's statement could hint at the team's interest in either Kevin White or Amari Cooper, but it may be more beneficial for Gang Green to wait until the second round to select a wideout, as plenty of talented options are available.
Green-Beckham has the talent of the top receivers in this year's class, but he is likely to fall into the second round because of his off-field issues, which include being kicked off Missouri's football team and being arrested twice for incidents involving marijuana.
However, the risk of selecting the Oklahoma product may be worth it, as he has the physical tools of a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level.
The embattled 22-year-old has great size (6'5'', 237 pounds), speed, physicality and hands, and his catch radius is off the charts.
Mike Maccagnan has shown no fear of taking risks this offseason, but Green-Beckham would be the biggest one. Nonetheless, the reward is potentially too great to resist.
Other Potential Options: Laken Tomlinson (OG), A.J. Cann (OG), Ameer Abdullah (RB), Eli Harold (OLB)
Round 3
3 of 7
Pick 70: Tre' Jackson, Offensive Guard, Florida State
New York has to do something about the state of its offensive line, and it's likely to do so before the end of Day 2.
The team is a mess at guard, as Oday Aboushi and Brian Winters haven't panned out and Willie Colon is no longer a viable starting option. Along the rest of the offensive line, it doesn't have a single starter under the age of 29.
Given the lack of elite linemen available in the early going (Andrus Peat, Ereck Flowers and La'el Collins all come with major question marks), Gang Green would be wise to address the need in the middle rounds.
Tre' Jackson's technique has to improve for him to be successful at the next level, but the natural talent is there. The former Seminoles star is a big-bodied, tough presence with surprising quickness and burst. He is terrific at knocking opposing linemen right off the ball and opening up space in the running game.
Under the right guidance, Jackson could become a Pro Bowl-caliber guard sooner rather than later. He presents tremendous value in the third round.
Other Potential Options: Tre McBride (WR), Garrett Grayson (QB), Ali Marpet (OG), David Johnson (RB)
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Round 4
4 of 7
Pick 104: Jeremy Langford, Running Back, Michigan State
The departure of Chris Johnson left a hole in Gang Green's backfield, as Chris Ivory and Stevan Ridley lack the speed and pass-catching ability to carry the running game.
The Jets are likely to pick up another running back at some point in the draft. Todd Bowles hinted at such on Wednesday, per Dom Cosentino of NJ.com.
Given the team's needs at other positions and the amount of running back talent available, it's probably in New York's best interest to wait until the middle rounds to select a rusher.
Jeremy Langford should be among the Jets' top targets, as the Michigan State product would be a perfect fit in Chan Gailey's offensive system.
Langford lacks physicality, but his speed and burst are both well above-average. He is also a dangerous threat out of the backfield and a tremendous pass-blocker, making him an ideal option on third downs.
The former Spartans starter doesn't have Pro Bowl upside, but he would be an immediate contributor in New York's offense.
Round 5
5 of 7
The Jets traded their fifth-round pick (142nd overall) to the Chicago Bears for wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
Round 6
6 of 7
The Jets traded their sixth-round pick (180th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver Percy Harvin.
Round 7
7 of 7
Pick 223: Jermaine Whitehead, Safety, Auburn
Despite adding Marcus Gilchrist in free agency, the Jets lack depth at safety.
If injuries were to hit the defensive backfield, as they did last season, the team would be left without any solid options.
Jermaine Whitehead comes with some baggage, as he was suspended four games for a verbal altercation with a coach last season. He also misses too many tackles and bites too often on play action.
However, the Auburn product is about as fine a man-to-man cover guy as you're going to find this late in the draft. He has the speed and physicality to stick with opposing receivers and the ball skills to make big plays when he has the chance.
Whitehead would be a low-risk, high-upside selection in the final round.
Pick 224: Darryl Baldwin, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
Baldwin would add important depth to the offensive line and has the potential to outperform his draft position under the right guidance.
He possesses subpar quickness and athleticism and often struggles to play low enough to excel. Nonetheless, his long arms and upper-body strength make him a decent pass protector on the outside.
The Ohio State product has to come a long way before he can be trusted at the NFL level, but he is worth a gamble this late in the draft.
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