2018 NFL Mock Draft: Evaluating New York Jets three-round mock 3.0

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TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 30: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Round One: Minkah Fitzpatrick

We start each slide with some thoughts from Sean on each pick:

"Fitzpatrick is a fantastic athlete with fluid hips and a great backpedal. He could be a cover corner at the next level and also has the ball skills to put up Pro Bowl interception and pass defense numbers. Fitzpatrick is also more than willing to come up and contribute in the running game but he needs to improve his tackling technique. All too often he just dives at runners’ legs which won’t work as well in the NFL."

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The concept is a solid one. The Jets need to rebuild the cornerback position. As good as Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye were last year, that’s how bad the cornerbacks were. Morris Claiborne was pretty good when healthy, but that was about it. They need help back there.

At 6-1 Fitzpatrick is a good height for a Todd Bowles cornerback. Todd likes his big corners. He certainly comes from a good program at Alabama. It’s not that the Jets could necessarily go wrong with this pick. It’s not that.

It’s just too early in the draft. If the Jets don’t sign Kirk Cousins, they must address the quarterback position here at the top of the draft. They cannot wait until later in the draft again. They have to fix the problem with a franchise quarterback now.

If they do sign Cousins, they should prioritize an edge pass rusher here at number six. Bradley Chubb is a name that comes to mind as an example. If they don’t go edge pass rush, they should rebuild the offensive line up here. It’s too important. Find the best tackle in the draft if the quarterback is done and edge rusher isn’t the choice.

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