2021 NFL Draft: 49ers make aggressive move for QB in 3-round mock draft

2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 23rd overall

This pick comes to the New York Jets via the Seattle Seahawks

The New York Jets found their franchise quarterback earlier in this mock draft with the selection of Justin Fields. Stacking some offensive talent around Fields with this pick is tempting but the Jets undoubtedly need help on the defensive side of the ball as well. Gregory Rousseau stands out as a great potential value pick in this range and would also fill an important position of need for the Jets.

Rousseau shows some exciting upside as a speed rusher around the edge. He is quick off of the ball and does a great job of getting low and bending around the edge. Rousseau is a bit of a one-trick pony who lacks ideal functional strength up front but he does have some nice size and appears to have a frame that can fill out well going forward.

While Rousseau will make most of his impact as an edge rusher at the next level, he did show some impressive ability as an interior rusher on obvious passing downs in college. On third and long, the team that drafts him can pick a weak matchup on the inside and let Rousseau dig in and attack the quarterback.

The New York Jets have struggled to find impact edge rushers for a long time and while Rousseau is not a perfect prospect, he certainly has exciting ability that gives him a high ceiling at the next level. Swinging for the fences at an important position of need here would make sense for the Jets.