New York Jets: The 2018 NFL Draft Report Card
By Erik Lambert
3rd Round: Nathan Shepherd (DT, Fort Hayes State) – B
The loss of Muhammad Wilkerson was understandable to the big picture, but it still hurts the Jets defense. There’s no escaping that reality. It’s obvious the team was going to move quickly to try solving this problem. Nathan Shepherd is an interesting prospect. He comes from a smaller program but he definitely shows an NFL body with a good mix of power and quickness. He’s got a world of potential despite limited length. Nice value for the pick position.
4th Round: Chris Herndon (TE, Miami) – B
The Jets have constantly tried to find help at tight end the past few years with mixed results. In such cases, it’s wise to remain persistent and that’s what they do here. Chris Herndon isn’t a polished gem by any stretch but he’s a good-sized athlete with reliable hands. It’s easy to build from that sort of foundation. He’s not blazing fast but he can become a consistent threat over the middle of the field and should be able to block if he embraces the work.