2018 NFL Mock Draft: New York Jets 3-round mock 2.0

The New York Jets have a pair of young safeties in Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye who should cover the back end for years to come. If they could revamp their cornerback depth, they could take their secondary to the next level.

Morris Claiborne was solid when healthy in 2017 but he’s a free agent. The Jets should prioritize re-signing him, but more work has to be done at cornerback.

Last week, I had the Jets using this pick on Texas cornerback Holton Hill. I could have easily put Hill in this spot again, but that’s no fun. My goal is to introduce you to as many new players as possible with these NFL mock drafts.

So this week, the Jets select Mike Hughes.

Hughes isn’t the biggest corner at 5’11, 191 lb. but he doesn’t let that stop him from being physical with receivers and contributing in the running game.

Hughes uses balance and quickness to stick with receivers in man coverage and has the ball skills to break up passes and come down with interceptions.

An added bonus is Hughes’s ability to contribute on special teams in the return game. Hughes had three return touchdowns this season and could return kicks and/or punts for the Jets in 2018.

As a cover corner who can also return kicks, Hughes is moving up draft boards and would be a great value in the second round:

"His value as a return specialist is a bonus, but Hughes’ ability to lock down an opponent’s top receiver is what will have NFL teams clamoring for his services. One of the fastest risers in this year’s corner class, a second-round slot shouldn’t be out of the question for a player who was barely on the radar at the beginning of the year."

The Jets can re-sign Claiborne to cover one outside corner spot and Hughes and Buster Skrine can alternate on the outside and in the slot. Combine that trio with Adams and Maye on the back line, and the New York Jets would have themselves a very solid secondary.