2018 NFL Mock Draft: New York Jets 3-round mock
By Sean Dyer
2. CB. Texas. Holton Hill. player. 30. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
The New York Jets need to add to their cornerback depth chart and they use the second-round pick they received in the Sheldon Richardson trade (No. 49 overall) to do it.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper had the Jets drafting Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick sixth overall to address their need in the secondary, but our Alan Schechter wasn’t a fan.
I think Fitzpatrick could be a playmaker at the NFL level but after using their top two picks on defensive backs in 2017, the Jets shouldn’t be taking another one in the top 10.
Schechter also wasn’t a fan when SB Nation’s Dan Kadar had the Jets selecting Ohio State’s Denzel Ward because Ward is too small (5’10” 191 lb.). Ward could be a successful NFL corner but his lack of size is a reasonable cause for concern.
So instead, the Jets wait until their third pick of 2018 (although still in the second round) to draft Holton Hill, the tallest cornerback in the class at 6’3″ and he weighs in at 205 lb.
Hill uses his size to play physically and he’s a sure tackler, which is hard to find among cornerbacks.
Ezra Siegel of SportsDay believes Hill was the Longhorns’ best defensive player:
"While safety DeShon Elliott steals the spotlight with his six interceptions … cornerback Holton Hill has arguably been the defense’s best player. Hill has two picks on the season, but more importantly has been stout covering his opponents’ best receivers. The 6-3 cornerback is also unafraid to crash into the backfield on run support, delivering hard hits on opposing ball carriers."
With Morris Claiborne set for free agency, Hill could make an immediate impact for the Jets. Even if Claiborne is re-signed, New York could use more depth at corner and Hill could battle Juston Burris for snaps on the outside after Burris graded out as Pro Football Focus’s No. 117 CB with a 37.3 overall grade in 2017.
Re-upping Claiborne and bringing in Hill would also allow Buster Skrine to play inside as a slot corner where he has excelled throughout his career.
The Jets nailed their double safety selections last year with Adams and Maye. New York must now add talent at cornerback to improve their secondary and defense as a whole.