The Jets have nailed down their final 53 for now. Now is as good a time as ever to look back on Joe Douglas’ first draft as general manager.

Round 1, Pick 11: Mekhi Becton- Tackle

Initial Grade: A+

Regrade: C+

When Becton saw the field, Jets fans saw a raw, but promising, future Pro Bowl, maybe even All-Pro tackle. But, through no fault of his own, Becton hasn’t seen the field since. Big Ticket appeared in 14 games and 13 starts for the Jets in 2020. During 2021 he injured his knee in the first game and was out for the rest of the season. In training camp for the 2022 season, in shape and stronger than ever, Becton re-injured that same knee and will be out the entire season.

It’s not fair to grade a player solely based off their injuries. When he’s on the field, Becton is an absolutely fantastic tackle. But, especially considering the offensive lineman taken after him, 15 total games across what will be three seasons is a disastrous first round pick. He’s far from a bust, but you know how the old adage goes: the best ability is availability.

Round 2, Pick 59: Denzel Mims- Wide Receiver

Initial Grade: B+

Regrade: D

When the Denzel Mims hype train arrived at Atlantic Health Training Facility, I had actually preordered my ticket. I called Mims a first-round talent stolen in the second, and called him 15 pounds shy of replicating the build of Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. I was wrong. Mims has also struggled with getting on the field, both for health and ball reasons. He appeared in 11 games last season, which was more than his rookie year. But, in 2021 he caught 8 passes on 23 targets. That’s a 34% completion rating when targeted. (That’s terrible, by the way.) With 133 yards to his name out of last season, Mims requested a trade during camp this summer as other undrafted free agents were starting to outperform the second round pick.

Coach Saleh called Mims, in response, one of the best 53 players on the roster. He survived final cuts, and despite fielding calls from Carolina, his trade request has been denied. For one more season, Mims will remain a Jet. I have no earthly idea why. The only reason I don’t grade him as lower than a D is health concerns keeping him sidelined. He did, after all suffer through both food poisoning and COVID-19. Move on from Mims.

Round 3, Pick 68: Ashtyn Davis, Safety

Initial Grade: C+

Regrade: C

Injury has kept Davis from playing a complete season yet. When he has seen the field, Jets fans are reminded that he was indeed a walk-on at Cal. Joe Douglas took a bet on Davis’ raw athleticism: he was an All-American track star. But so far, that bet hasn’t paid off. His inability to tackle is seemingly all Jets social media accounts can talk about. Pro Football Focus gave Davis a 43.1 Run Defense grade. He too had been getting outplayed by new arrivals. One of last year’s draft picks Jason Pinnock transitioned from cornerback to safety and promptly posted a 89.5 Run Defense grade.

The Jets kept Davis this season, allowing Jason Pinnock to be picked up by the Giants on waivers. This move baffled fans. Mims and Davis are in a similar boat. I think the only reason they remain on the roster is a front office attempting to salvage any aspect of the draft. Cuts would admit failure.

Round 3, Pick 179: Jabari Zuniga, EDGE

Initial Grade: N/A

Regrade: F

Zuniga isn’t even on the New York Jets roster anymore. He currently sits on the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.

In 2 seasons, appearing in 11 total games with zero starts, Zuniga accumulated 1 forced fumble, 1 sack, and 8 total tackles. That’s a stat line for one really good defensive ends game: not a third round picks entire season. There’s nothing else to say.

Swing and a miss.

Round 4, Pick 120: La’Mical Perine, Running Back

Initial Grade: C-

Regrade: D-

In Perine’s defense, he was always the odd man out in a consistently crowded running backs room. Just this time, he was sent to the curb. Perine did get picked up by the Philadelphia Eagle’s practice squad. That comes after appearing in 4 games, taking 8 carries for 31 yards.

It seems like the Florida product was at an awkward state of running back: he had neither the speed to break big runs, or possess the strength to break through contact. But, unlike some other draft picks in this class, at least he saw the field.

Round 4, Pick 125: James Morgan, Quarterback

Initial Grade: N/A

Regrade: F

For a fourth round pick to never see a single snap is a disgrace. Morgan was released last season, and has been released from every teams practice squad since. When the pick first came, the best guess would be a career backup. How can you critique and regrade a quarterback who threw zero passes?

This is, without a doubt, the work pick in this draft class.

Round 4, Pick 129: Cameron Clark, Tackle

Initial Grade: N/A

Regrade: N/A

Clark had to retire ahead of this season. He previously suffered a spinal cord injury, and similar to the likes of Kam Chancellor, was under the severe threat of paralysis if he got hurt again. Becton, despite waylaid by injuries, gets a grade because he has taken snaps.

It’s simply not fair to grade a player who had to retire early under the threat of paralysis. I wish Clark nothing but the best in his future.

Round 5, Pick 158: Bryce Hall, Cornerback

Initial Grade: B-

Regrade: A-

Bryce Hall appeared in, and started all 17 games for the Jets last season. He took over the CB1 spot, somewhat by default heading into 2021. But, he did not disappoint, especially for being a 5th round pick. He had zero interceptions last season, but recorded a whopping 16 passes defensed.

Despite allowing a 59% completion rating when targeted, he was also consistent in run support, missing a total of three tackles all season. Hall now sits as the third corner on the roster, behind free agent signing DJ Reed, and fourth overall pick Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. But, I’m fairly confident Hall could start on the majority of other NFL teams. For a 5th round pick, this is as good as one could hope. Finally, something to salvage.

Round 6, Pick 191: Braden Mann, Punter

Initial Grade: B-

Regrade: C

Braden Mann was touted as the best punter in the 2020 Draft, so the Jets spent their final pick to go get him. Since then, Mann has been aggressively average. In almost every punting statistic, he rests somewhere in the middle of the pack. The only fault is that teams easily could’ve gotten a middle-of-the-road punter in the undrafted free agency class, and not spent a draft pick.

In my mind, if you’re going to spend a draft pick on a specialist, they better be pretty special.

Final Thoughts

In Joe Douglas’ defense, this was the first draft after the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams weren’t allowed to interview or bring in and evaluate players like they normally do. That’s something Douglas continuously referenced going into the 2021 Draft: some element of normal operations.

This has been Douglas’ worst draft class as Jets GM. But it was unique, very challenging circumstances we certainly won’t experience again. He gets a write-off for this one. Unless Becton or Hall burst into Hall of Fame talent.