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Jets Post-Combine 7-Round Mock Draft: O-Line Gets Huge Boost

The New York Jets have a make or break NFL Draft approaching as the team needs to build around Aaron Rodgers in what may be his final season in football

By Nicholas Rome

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas speaks at a press
Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas speaks at a press / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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112th Overall Pick - Ricky Pearsall - Wide Receiver

Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a catch over Florida State Seminoles defensive
Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a catch over Florida State Seminoles defensive / Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA

If you have to pick any Day 2/3 wide receiver to bank on becoming a breakout star early on in the draft, Ricky Pearsall would be your best bet. The Florida receiver recorded 965 yards on 65 catches and 4 touchdowns in 2023 despite inconsistent quarterback play.

As a route runner, few are better than Pearsall, who's explosive in his route running and constantly separating himself from opposing defenders. He's been one of the standouts from the pre-draft process with impressive showings at the combine and in the Senior Bowl. Pearsall is a contested catch monster as well as shown with his impressive 42.5 inch vertical.

The Jets desperately need to find a consistent wide receiver two opposite of Garrett Wilson as the other receivers floundered in 2023. Wilson accounted for 1,042 receiving yards while Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, and all of the other receivers combined for 654 yards.

114th Overall Pick - Jaden Hicks - Safety

Nov 11, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaden Hicks (25)
Nov 11, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaden Hicks (25) / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Through the pre-draft process, there are few players I've liked better as a fit for the New York Jets than Washington State safety Jaden Hicks. If the team loses Jordan Whitehead in free agency the safety position will become a top priority and Hicks could be a future star in the Jets secondary.

At 6"3 Jaden Hicks plays more physical than any safety in this class laying massive hits on opposing players. Hicks showed versatility at Washington State, playing cornerback and safety which shows in his pass coverage.

The Jets have built a special defense with one of the strongest secondaries in the league. Adding a young safety with the ability that Jaden Hicks has shown would give Robert Saleh another chess piece as the team looks to continue it's defensive dominance.

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