Free agency is finally cooling down, and things have changed dramatically. Holes have been filled and needs have changed. Along with that comes the fact that the Jets have traded for the third overall pick in exchange for No. 6, No. 37, No. 49 and a 2019 second round pick. With these changes comes a new draft strategy for the Jets. Here is my Seven-Round Mock: 2.0.
Round 1, Pick 3: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
With the third pick the Jets land the most NFL ready quarterback in the entire class with Rosen. The Browns select Sam Darnold and the Giants take Saquon Barkley, leaving the Jets with Rosen. Rosen is the same player I had in the first five-round mock, and he is selected by the same team three picks earlier. He’s a perfect fit in the Jets offense and Maccagnan likes what he sees in the UCLA signal caller.
Mike Maccagnan must have liked what he saw at the Baker Mayfield an Josh Rosen pro days. This trade shows he'd be comfortable taking the third-best QB at 3 (if QBs are taken 1-2). #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 17, 2018
Round 3, Pick 72: Josh Sweat, EDGE, Florida State
The Jets have been in desperate need of an edge rusher for what feels like centuries. Sweat is exactly the guy the Jets are looking for in a 3-4 edge rusher and should step right in and make an impact. Sweat has top end speed on the edge. He ran a 4.53 40 yard dash, which is really, really fast. Sweat had a great season at FSU, where he racked up 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2017. Sweat’s biggest concern is health, but the Jets take a risk here in round three.
Round 4, Pick 107: Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan
Central Michigan held their pro day this week, and you know who was there? Mike Maccagnan. Reports say Maccagnan closely watched and personally met with Conklin at the pro day, and Conklin performed well. The 6’4, 240 pound tight end caught 35 passes for 504 yards and 5 touchdowns through eight games in 2017. The Jets have a huge hole at tight end and they look to pair Conklin with Jordan Leggett next season.
https://twitter.com/DraftAnalyst1/status/975062400029331456
Round 5, Pick 157: Darius Phillips, CB, Western Michigan
Phillips will primarily be added to the team for his ability to return kicks and punts. He returned 26 kicks for 683 yards and two touchdowns in 2017. The Jets’ haven’t had a good returner since the Leon Washington/Joe McKnight era. Gang Green hasn’t taken a kick to the house since 2012, and they look to Phillips to end that streak.
Round 6, Pick 179: Ja’Von Rolland-Jones, DE, Arkansas State
Rolland-Jones is one of the more slept on prospects coming out of this draft. He is leaving Arkansas State as one of the most accomplished pass rushers in college football history, acquiring 63 tackles for loss and 42 sacks during his four year career. NFL scouts are wondering if these numbers were because of skill or lack of competition. Maccagnan takes the risky road to find out for himself.
Round 7, Pick 235: Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida
Another talented prospect going in the late rounds with this pick. Callaway was a stud at Florida and drew comparisons to Antonio Brown in terms of talent. However, he has struggled to stay out of trouble. His continuous problems with the law have caused him to drop extremely late in the draft. Robby Anderson 2.0? Mac takes a high-risk/high-reward pick with the last of the Jets picks.
– James Cunningham is a staff writer for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @nyjfansnationFollow @FPC_Jets
