New York Jets: Fan favorite selected in full mock draft

Round Three: 72. Brian O’Neill, OT, Pittsburgh

At a minimum, the Jets need to add depth along the offensive line. They really need to add a franchise left tackle to protect their young quarterback, but they aren’t likely to get one this far into the draft. A guy to look at as a depth piece is Brian O’Neill out of Pittsburgh. He is an athletic player that could definitely help with the Jets run attack.

The interior line play was no good last year. O’Neill looks like a player that can fit into a zone blocking scheme, which is what the Jets run. For a tackle he isn’t the biggest guy, weighing in at 297 pounds, but he is fast. He ran the forty yard dash in 4.82 seconds, fast for a big guy. O’Neill also led his position in the three cone drill and the 20 yard shuttle.

The scheme should look very familiar to Jets fans. Needless to say he would fit right in. There is also a lot to like here. Watching him move block is fun. Watch him lead the way on a sweep. He can pull like anyone out there. In the passing game, he comes out of his stance quickly and transitions into his side step very smoothly. He’s quick, so edge rushers aren’t beating O’Neill around the outside.

His biggest failing is inconsistent feet. Sometimes he comes out flat-footed and a guy bigger than him can walk him right into the quarterback. Adding a little bit of meat to that frame would go a long way in helping O’Neill anchor himself. But he seems like a guy that could start out in the interior, even off the bench early in his career. James Carpenter won’t be there forever, O’Neill could be next in line if he improves.