New York Jets 2020 three round Mock Draft compilation 5.0 – post-free agency
By Ed Stein
The New York Jets 2019 season was a wild ride. Gang Green opened with seven losses in eight games before they turned it around with a 6-2 record in the second half. As a result, NYJ will select 11th overall.
Through the NFL draft in April, Empire Writes Back will compile data from various mock drafts. Rather than our readers chase across the internet for information about who the New York Jets will pick, EWB gives you the consensus.
We do semi-monthly updates through draft day. The sources may change a bit from article to article, but they are credible. This month we used 26 different mock drafts from sources such as Walter Football, Pro Football Focus, ESPN – Mel Kiper, NFL.com, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Tankathon, USA Today Draftwire, Athalon, Draftsite.com, nj.com, San Diego Tribune, Detroit News Baltimore Sun, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Draft Geek, The Draft Network, and our cousins at FanSided.
The way the New York Jets 2019 season played out, figuring who they will draft next spring is still a fluid situation. Due to their second-half rebound, Gang Green went from the No. 2 spot to 11th overall. This draft is set up to help New York in the positions where they need it. Which begs the question: where do the New York Jets need help the most?
Free agency has greatly changed the dynamic. The Jets added some badly needed offensive linemen, tackle George Fant, center Connor McGovern, Josh Andrews, and guard Greg Van Roten. They also brought back guard Alex Lewis. They should improve an O-line that was stagnant even with two-time All-Pro Le’Veon Bell.
The New York Jets were tied for last in the NFL in yards-per-carry. Additionally, Jets QBs were sacked the fourth-most (52 times) as well as hit the fifth-most (106). Sam Darnold would still benefit from a dominant left tackle to give him a little more time in the pocket. One other thing Darnold could use is another weapon in the passing game.
Wide receiver presents a big area of opportunity as well. Robby Anderson is gone. General Manager Joe Douglas quickly replaced him with Breshad Perriman from Tampa. That exchange doesn’t work in the Jets favor. Quincy Enunwa suffered another neck injury and missed the entire season. Whether or not Enunwa can come back is up in the air and even if he does, the receiver has publicly called out the team for the way they have handled his rehab. A big-time playmaker on the outside would jump-start the offense
Defensively, the New York Jets stifled the run. They allowed the fewest rushing yards in the AFC, yielding a stingy 68.9 yards per game. Their pass defense, on the other hand, wasn’t very good. Gang Green rid themselves of last year’s top two corners Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts were sent packing. Slot corner Brian Poole was re-signed and Pierre Desir from Indianapolis inked a free agent deal as Gang Green tried to rebuild the position. Adding a steady cover cornerback and or impact edge rusher will take their overall defense from good to great.
This will be Douglas’ first draft as New York Jets GM. He can make an impact almost immediately. Now that free agency, for the most part, is over, there are some big changes in the various mock drafts.