New York Jets seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft: Tearing it down

Round 2, Pick 33

After investing the first overall pick in a franchise quarterback, the Jets would be foolish not to invest some high draft capital into assets that will positively impact his play for many years to come. First on that list is some more beef up front along the offensive line.

The Jets invested heavily into their offensive line this past offseason spending a heavy amount of money on George Fant, Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten. The team also invested high draft capital on the line by selecting Mekhi Becton in the top 12 of the first round and a fourth-round pick on Charlotte’s Cameron Clark.  However, even after all these transactions, the line could still use some work.

Trey Smith is a first-round talent, but scary injuries and medical problems have pushed him down some boards and potentially even completely off some teams’ radars. Smith is a mover with incredible power at the point of attack when taking blockers head-on.

He is not the most technically sound blocker. His feet often don’t move as fluidly as you’d like from an offensive lineman, limiting how he can be used as a blocker. However, Smith is still an outstanding lineman and will be very productive early on in the NFL.

Round 3, Pick 65

Value. Value. Value. Joe Douglas runs to the podium here, seeing Tylan Wallace still available atop of the third round. The Jets have some solid receivers on their team in Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman and Braxton Berrios, but need a legitimate number two options opposite of the emerging Denzel Mims.

Wallace is one of the most fascinating receivers in this very deep class at the position. Because the position has great depth, a top 50 talent like Wallace could fall to rounds 3 and 4. He and Mims may be similar styled players, to a degree, but Wallace is not as good a route runner. However, he is slightly more electric with the ball in his hands.

Either way, a solid receiving core of Mims, Wallace, Perriman, Crowder, and Berrios gives Trevor Lawrence a diverse array of weapons at his disposal in the passing game. Even though there are no superstars in this group, Mims and Wallace both have really high ceilings if Lawrence can get them involved within the offense.

Round 3, Pick 88

Cincinnati has been one of the coolest stories to follow in this crazy college football season. A big reason is because of Myjai Sanders, the explosive junior who leads the Bearcats in sacks. The New York Jets are tied for the fifth least amount of sacks on the year (20), and the lack of a true dynamic pass rusher is to blame for that low number.

Quinnen Williams has been nothing short of sensational for the Jets. However, he cannot do it all on his own. He needs pass rushers opposite of him on either side to create pathways for him to get into the backfield more often and efficiently.

Sanders is a difference-maker of an athlete. He has a great first step and utilizes brilliant counter moves to quickly get inside the tackles and backfield. Although he does not have the ideal frame and build for a stereotypical edge rusher, he makes up for it with finesse. Is he a scheme fit for the Jets 3-4 defense as it stands right now? Not really, but the Jets need to stack talent on top of talent at the moment.

There is also no guarantee that the New York Jets stay with a 3-4 defense going into next season. With the departure of Gregg Williams, the Jets defense will remain a mystery until a new coaching staff comes in next season and gets their hands on the roster. Regardless, Sanders is an athletic and gifted pass rusher that the Jets desperately need.