We’re almost there.
The NFL draft is a little more than a week away, and soon all the speculation will be done and we’ll have real answers about what the Jets and the 31 other teams are going to do. Until then, let’s continue to mock.
I gave all of you begging for the Jets to trade down something to chew on this week. Here is my mock draft 4.0 and my final predictions for what they could do using Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator:
TRADE: I am trading the No. 2 pick to the Titans in exchange for the No. 4 pick as well as a second-round pick (35), a third-round pick No. 66 and a 2027 third-round pick.
Round 1 (Pick 4): Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
Previous Picks at No. 2: Reese, Ohio State; Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
I have heard from plenty of Jets fans who want the team to trade down from No. 2 and acquire more picks. The issue is who is going to trade up and for what player. In this exercise, old friend Robert Saleh and the Titans wanted to move up to take Sonny Styles.
The best part for the Jets is they still have Reese and David Bailey on the board. I am sticking with Reese here despite all the Bailey noise.
Round 1 (Pick 16): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Previous picks: WR Denzel Boston, Washington; WR Makai Lemon, USC; trade up to 10 to take S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
It really feels like the Jets have to go wide receiver with this pick. In this mock draft, Carnell Tate and Lemon are off the board. Tyson has some risk with his injury history but if the doctors give the go-ahead, I’m drafting him. He might end up being the best receiver in this class if he can stay healthy.
Round 2 (Pick 33): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Previous Picks: DT Caleb Banks, Florida; trade down with Dolphins, WR Denzel Boston, Washington
This might not make sense if you view Reese as an off-ball linebacker. In my mind, he’s more of an edge rusher. I am also looking to trade Jamien Sherwood during the draft, maybe in another trade with Tennessee to reunite him with Saleh. Allen looks like the latest in a long line of good Georgia defensive players and can learn from Demario Davis.
Round 2 (Pick 35): Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
This was a pick I acquired in the trade with the Titans in the first round. Bisontis is a Jersey kid who starred at Don Bosco in high school. The Jets need to bolster the interior of the offensive line and he does that.
Round 2 (Pick 44): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Previous Picks: Cisse; S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
Cisse feels like a steal at this point in the draft. He can compete for a starting job with Azareye’h Thomas and Nahshon Wright.
Round 3, (Pick 66): Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
We’re grabbing another receiver with a pick we got from the Titans. He has 4.35 speed and can give the Jets a dynamic player.
Round 4 (Pick 103): Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
Previous Picks: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington; RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska; TE Justin Joly, N.C. State
The Jets added to the defensive line in free agency, but they still could use more. Jackson has an 86-inch wingspan.
Round 4 (Pick 140): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Previous Picks: C Logan Jones, Iowa; LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU; G Beau Stephens, Iowa
I don’t think the Jets are looking for a starting QB in this draft, but they could use a developmental one on Day 3.
Round 5 (Pick 179): Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
Previous Picks: LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon; DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati; Allar
This is a special teams pick now with the hope he can develop into an offensive player later.
Round 7 (Pick 228): Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
Previous Picks: QB Luke Altmyer, Illinois; TE Marlin Klein, Michigan; DT Deven Eastern, Minnesota
This is a depth pick who can help on special teams.
Round 7 (Pick 242): Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
Previous Picks: S Jakobe Thomas, Miami; CB Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin; S Skyler Thomas, Oregon State
Nick Folk left in free agency. It’s worth using a late draft pick on his potential replacement.