New York Jets go outside the norm with number three pick overall in latest mock draft

Round Five: Leon Jacobs, OLB, Wisconsin

Jets fans, you might enjoy this draft. If you haven’t noticed yet, this is the first pick on the defensive side of the football. Here is a spoiler alert, this will be the only pick on the defensive side. Could you imagine if it turns out this way, Jets fans? We won’t recognize which team is making the picks if the class of 2018 is primarily on the offensive side of the football. It would be a welcome change.

That being said, Maccagnan has to take a shot at finding an edge pass rusher. After the first round it’s difficult to find elite ones so he has to look in the bargain bin to find potential diamonds in the rough. Leon Jacobs has the potential to make an impact, in part because of his versatility. Todd Bowles loves versatility and Jacobs has experience at inside and outside linebacker. That will give him a leg up on earning a roster spot.

He got better every year at Wisconsin, peaking as a senior with 10 TFL’s and 3.5 sacks. He was also used both in coverage and as a rusher, which exposed him to NFL concepts that not every player sees in college. Early in his career, he does play as a project due to a lack of technique, but he could still work his way in as a role player/special teamer. Versatile defenders are hard to come by, and the Jets would be smart to take a look at Leon Jacobs late.