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| From left to right: Mehki Becton, Joe Douglas and Denzel Mims. Photo: Bill Kostroun/AP. |
First Round: Mehki Becton, OT, Louisville
An example of what I was talking about when I said I didn't hate or dislike the pick, but I thought there were playmakers there who could possibly come in and contribute right away were available starts with their very first pick. Honestly, I wanted edge rusher Chase Young, but realistically I wanted WR CeeDee Lamb, who I thought was the best receiver in the draft. By that I mean, I knew 9 times out of 10 Young was going with the first two or three picks, so the odds of him being available at No.11 was slim-to-none at best, but they had a realistic shot at drafting Lamb, and he went to a team I literally despise, so of course my thoughts of him have immediately changed.
I was thinking with Joe loading up on offensive lineman in free agency, you can pick a WR here and get solid OL later, but I understand the need to protect Sam (Darnold). The offensive line gave up 52 sacks last year, the second most in the league. It's going to be hard for Sam or any quarterback for that matter to do anything if he's constantly on his back.
Anyway, I was a tad disappointed they didn't draft Lamb, but when the slight disappointment subsided, the more I looked at Mehki's tape and did research on him, the more impressed I am with his upside and warmed up to the pick. The guy's 6-7, around 360 pounds, but he's no stiff. He ran a 5.10 in the 40 at the Combine, which is fast for a dude his size, he's nimble and light on his feet. One analyst during the draft referred to him as a "dancing bear."
Last season, he won the Jacobs Blocking trophy (best blocker in the conference) and made First Team All-ACC. Of course, there were concerns about his weight and if he can keep it under control, and a few concerns about some aspects of his technique, but those things are easy fixes with time and coaching.
The Jets are all-in on building around Sam and it starts with protection. If Mehki plays up to or exceeds his upside-- I'm confident that he will-- Sam may never get sacked from that side of the field again. I say that jokingly, but it's going to be hard to get around him. It's hard enough getting beyond or around a wall, nevertheless, a mobile one.
Grade: A
Second Round: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Okay, so I was thinking with this pick they should go after a pass rusher. An edge rusher was what I really wanted with the first pick, but I didn't think there was anyone of that caliber to be taken that high after Young was drafted, which is why I was hoping they would've drafted Lamb. I wanted an edge rusher, but I didn't want him to reach to get one, so kudos to Joe for not nutting up.
In this round, I was hoping he would've picked edge rusher Zack Baun from Wisconsin, who I thought was the second best rusher in the draft, but I knew his stock would drop once I found out he lacked prototypical size for an NFL edge rusher. He traded down in this round in a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, picking up an extra pick in the third round-- which I liked. Baun was still there when he picked at No. 59, but he chose WR Denzel Mims.
Again, I understood that Sam needed more weapons at the receiver position. I don't hate or dislike the pick, but with a deep receiver class, I thought at this point-- especially with three third round picks at the time-- this position could've been addressed later. Anyway, Joe traded down and still got the player he wanted.
In Denzel, they're getting a receiver with size, speed and is reliable in the clutch (I watched a few Baylor games last year). Being that he dropped so low in the draft considering he was viewed by most as a first round pick, plus stating that he felt slighted by that notion and that he has been underestimated most of his life, he's coming in with a chip on his shoulder and a ton of motivation, which could spell trouble for those who passed him up.
Grade: A-
Thrid Round: Ashytn Davis, Safety, California (Berkley)
With his first pick in the third round, Joe drafted safety/return specialist Ashtyn Davis. I said myself that they needed to address safety depth after starters Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye (both dealt with injuries last season) so I don't hate or dislike the pick, but again, this could've waited, especially with Zack Baun still being available.
Another story of one being overlooked, Ashtyn didn't draw any attention from schools until he started to excel in track. He wound up attending California and getting on the team as a walk-on, a story similar to last year's fifth round pick Blake Cashman.
He's kind of small for a safety, but he plays much bigger than he looks. A rangy thumper, you can line him up all over the defensive backfield and he has some experience at cornerback, so I'm sure Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams will have fun utilizing him in his defense. I like his explosiveness and eye for the ball. He reminds me of Tyrann Mathieu, but better in coverage.
Grade: B+
Third Round: Jabari Zuniga, Edge Rusher, Florida
Finally, a pass/edge rusher is taken with Zuniga at No. 79 overall, but Baun was available at No. 68 before eventually being drafted by the New Orleans Saints at No. 74. After a breakout season his junior year, he decided to stay in school for his senior season that was plagued by injuries, which I'm sure hurt his stock considering he was viewed as first round value had he entered the draft last year.
Looking at his tape, he doesn't have the freak athleticism as Chase Young, but he's sufficient in that area, he has solid fundamentals and he's versatile, which goes a long way with any team. He seems like the type of player that will have solid production, but will fly under the radar. Another thing that will make Jets fans at him look side-eyed is the fact that they drafted Jachai Polite an edge rusher in the third round from Florida last year, who didn't even make the team.
Now, I don't think it's fair to automatically assume the same fate with Zuniga. He's not Jachai Polite. According to a professed Dolphins fan, he likes the upside of Zuniga as a prospect more than Becton. Again, I don't dislike the pick, it addressed a need, but I thought a better prospect was available earlier in the third round.
On a side note, the third 3rd round pick was traded to the New England Patriots, gaining an extra 4th round pick, and a sixth round pick for next year, a move that I thought was solid.
Grade: C+
Fourth Round: LiMichal Perine, Running Back, Florida
I liked this pick at this stage of the draft. I thought they needed to add depth behind Le'Veon Bell, and I think this was the right time to do so. Another pick who seems to have a chip on his shoulder, he was ousted by Auburn recruits stating he was a bit too slow, later burning them for 130 yards and a touchdown last year.
He strikes me as the type who won't wow you with natural athletic gifts, but compensates for that with hard work and being fundamentally sound. He's also a good receiver (out in the flat and you can line him up as a wide out). He's the prototype for coach Adam Gase's offense, and I think he and Bell will be a dangerous duo for years to come.
Grade: A-
Fourth Round: James Morgan, Quarterback, Florida International
My biggest question mark here. I didn't like this pick, at all. I know he has the measurables coaches and scouts covet (big and tall with a rocket arm) but there were more pressing needs. They could've picked another pass rusher here or even another receiver. You never know how these situations will turn out, but as of right now, he seems to be a project/third stringer at best.
I understand that Sam needed a backup (he has dealt with injuries his first two years in the league) but I was hoping they would've signed a veteran instead, which they still could. If they were going to go quarterback here, I would've preferred Tyler Huntley from Utah, someone who reminds me of Russell Wilson.
Grade: F
Fourth Round: Cameron Clark, Offensive Tackle, Charlotte
I liked this pick at this stage of the draft as well. He was named MVP of his team in 2017. That's unheard of from an offensive lineman on any level. Not to mention, you can never have enough protection for your quarterback(s).
Grade: A
Fifth Round: Bryce Hall, Cornerback, Virginia
From what I've heard about Bryce, it seems the Jets got a steal getting him this late in the draft. Most had him as high as the third round, but I'm sure his injury back in October is what dropped his draft stock. I like his size and he's good in press coverage, which is a plus in Williams' defense, where the corners are usually on an island.
He will be thrown into a pool of cornerbacks competing for the spot opposite of Pierre Desir. It will be interesting to see how this plays out come August and September.
Grade: B+
Sixth Round: Braden Mann, Punter, Texas A & M
Could've used another skill position, but a good pick at this point in the draft, where special teamers are usually taken off the board. He won the Ray Guy Award (nation's best punter) and Best Special Team Player in 2018 and made the First Team All-SEC two years in a row (2018 and 2019).
Grade: A
Overall, as I've said (repeatedly) for the most part, I didn't hate or dislike the picks. Needs were addressed, but I thought there were better prospects that were available at the time. I thought Joe did a solid job in his first draft. I definitely liked the way he spun trades. Speaking of which, he traded his second sixth round pick to the Indianapolis Colts for cornerback Quincy Wilson.
He gave up a low value draft pick for someone who was a second round pick in 2017. From my understanding, it didn't pan out with the Colts (obviously) but he showed some flashes in the process. It was a low risk, high reward situation, in my opinion. Honestly, I liked his wheeling and dealing better than his draft.
Overall Grade: B
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