New York Jets: Three round mock draft internet compilation
By Ed Stein
Round One – Third overall pick
This draft is loaded with high-end defensive talent, especially along the line. Everyone agrees that the Jets will take a defensive lineman or edge rusher. Most likely that player will be from a Southeastern Conference school.
More than half the 21 mock drafts (11) have the New York Jets using this pick for Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen. In second place with four hits is Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Tied for third with a pair of hits each are two defensive ends, Nick Bosa from Ohio State, and Montez Sweat from Mississippi State. In case you are wondering the other two players selected were Houston DT Ed Oliver and in a trade down to 15, edge rusher Bryan Burns from Boston College.
Before looking at the top two favorites, it’s interesting to note there are mock drafts that have Nick Bosa falling to the Jets. He is at the top of almost every draft board in terms of talent. No doubt Mccaganon and head coach Adam Gase will be doing cartwheels in the aisles if Bosa is there when the Jets pick.
They won’t be upset about getting Josh Allen either. The SEC’s 2018 Defensive Player of the Year is an elite pass rusher. Last season, he had 17 sacks for the resurgent Kentucky Wildcats, including three against Penn State in the Citrus Bowl. Allen’s biggest strength is his explosive speed off the edge, tackles don’t have the time they need to set up properly on him. Combined with his size (6-4, 262 pounds) and strength, Allen is a nightmare for opposing offenses.
It’s not just his straight up pass rushing that makes him great. In an era of increasingly mobile quarterbacks, his pursuit skills are outstanding. That also goes for the run, Allen has enough speed to close on running backs before they can get to full speed. In short, Josh Allen could become the Jets version of Von Miller.
Quinnen Williams might be a better overall talent, due to his prowess on the interior defensive line. He is a game changer from the inside. Last season, Williams had an amazing 71 tackles, 19.5 of which were for a loss. That’s getting into Aaron Donald territory.
It’s hard to know where to begin with Quinnen Williams because he does so many things well. Let’s start with the snap, Williams gets off the ball lightning fast. His speed, quickness, and athleticism make him hard to handle for any offensive lineman one on one. Naturally, Williams draws double teams, lots of them. He is big enough and strong enough to beat the double. Once he gets past the line, Williams has great closing speed on the ball.
The New York Jets can’t go wrong with either Allen or Williams. What makes Allen a better option is that the Jets already have a good interior defensive line.