2021 NFL Draft: Recap and analysis of every pick for all 32 teams

1 (2): Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Zach Wilson replaces Sam Darnold as the New York Jets’ QB of the future. He’s got all the arm talent in the world and is an athletic playmaker who gives some Patrick Mahomes vibes with his ability to make throws regardless of the platform his feet are on. We’ll see how he handles the spotlight going from Provo to New York City.

1 (14): Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

I didn’t like the price the Jets paid to move up for Vera-Tucker, but if it helps them sleep better at night…Regardless of the price that was paid, Alijah Vera-Tucker is a good player who is going to slide in immediately at left guard next to Mekhi Becton. Already, Zach Wilson’s life should be a lot easier than Darnold’s was in terms of protection.

2 (34): Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

Many thought Moore was almost a consensus WR4 in this class with his strong hands, ability to play the slot, and vertical speed. The Jets got a steal here and pair him up with Corey Davis, Denzel Mims, and Jamison Crowder.

4 (107): Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina

I thought Carter was one of the top steals of the third day of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has tremendous burst and with his one-cut abilities, he should be a great fit for this Jets offense. Get him running to that left side behind Becton and Vera-Tucker.

5 (146): Jamien Sherwood, DB, Auburn

Sherwood gives the Jets a guy who will contribute right away on special teams. Though he’s not a twitchy athlete he can play a box safety/dime linebacker role and read/react.

5 (154): Michael Carter II, DB, Duke

The second Michael Carter of this draft for the Jets gives them a nickel defensive back option and one with big-time speed and quickness. What Carter lacks in size, he makes up for with scrappiness, ball production, and special teams value.

5 (175): Jason Pinnock, CB, Pittsburgh

With 24 pass breakups over the past three seasons to go along with six interceptions, Pinnock has tremendous size and athleticism to go along with his production at Pitt. At this juncture of the draft, the Jets were clearly looking to take some shots on upside in the defensive backfield and they got three guys who could wind up playing vastly different roles for their secondary.

6 (186): Hamsah Nasirildeen, S/LB, Florida State

Although injury issues pushed him down the 2021 NFL Draft board, Hamsah Nasirildeen is a steal here for the Jets if he can get on the field.

This guy can play wherever you ask him to, and I’m sure the Jets and Robert Saleh envision him playing a Jaquiski Tartt type role for their defense as an optimistic projection.

6 (200): Brandin Echols, CB, Kentucky

Echols is raw but there was something in the water at Kentucky this year. Jamin Davis and Kelvin Joseph also killed their pro days, but Echols’ was some kind of sight to behold. He ran a 4.35 with a 42.5-inch vertical jump and a 6.84 in the three-cone drill. At 5-foot-10 and under 180 pounds, Echols will likely be a slot player for the Jets but he could get some work outside as well.

6 (207): Jonathan Marshall, DT, Arkansas

Any 310-pound players who can run 4.81 in the 40-yard dash with 36 bench press reps are worth taking a shot on late in the draft.

Jonathan Marshall was a captain for Arkansas and even though he’ll be 24 as a rookie, he has upside as an interior rusher at the next level.