NFL Draft Notebook: Breaking down the New York Jets draft and more
By John Blair
In each edition of the NFL Draft Notebook this month, we will break down how one team did in the NFL Draft. This week we take a look at the New York Jets, whose 2021 NFL Draft haul will change the fortune for the team for at least the next five years. If the draft turns out how they hope, the New York Jets added a franchise quarterback, a Pro Bowl offensive guard and several offensive playmakers.
On the other hand, the New York Jets could be set back years if these picks don’t turn out as expected. This could happen as Zach Wilson could turn out to be a player who just beat up on weak competition and the team might regret giving up so much to draft an offensive guard.
While it is impossible to predict how this draft will turn out for the Jets down the road, looking at where players were graded going into the draft this was a very good draft for the New York Jets. Along with taking a look at the Jets’ draft haul, this week’s NFL Draft Notebook also take a look at the following:
- An NFL Draft sleeper in Louisiana running back Chris Smith.
- A team that will likely be looking for a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft and a quarterback who they might look at.
- A look at the top draft prospects from the Pac-12.
- All that latest NFL Draft news including some interesting facts about the 2021 NFL Draft
Reviewing the New York Jets 2021 NFL Draft
First pick: Zach Wilson
The New York Jets’ first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft was BYU quarterback Zach Wilson who the team took with the second pick in the draft. Wilson has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback including a strong arm, the mobility and accuracy to throw on the run and the mental toughness to succeed in the NFL.
Along with his skill set, the other thing working in Wilson’s favor is how the New York Jets are building around him. The team added several playmakers for him in this year’s draft and also used its second pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on an offensive lineman to help protect him. One more positive is he is going into a quarterback-friendly offense and one that fits his skillset to a tee.
Best pick: Michael Carter
The New York Jets had the best pick of any team in the fourth round when they selected North Carolina running back Michael Carter with the 107th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Carter is an explosive runner who actually outrushed former North Carolina and Denver Broncos second-round pick Javonte Williams in both 2019 and 2020.
This coming season, Carter will likely compete for playing time with Tevin Coleman who the team signed as a free agent. He should shine in this role as he used to playing in a rotation which is what he did at North Carolina. He is a good fit in the New York Jets zone running scheme as well as displaying both the vision and speed to be the ideal back in this system.
Worst pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker
The New York Jets selection of USC offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker was the team’s worst pick for several reasons. The first one being how much they gave away to come up and select him. The team gave up two third-round picks to move up nine spots to select a player who plays a position that does not traditionally go very high in the NFL Draft.
This leads us to the second reason why this was a poor pick for the Jets, which is the value of the offensive guard position in the NFL Draft. Only one guard has recently been drafted higher than the 14th pick, and that player was Quenton Nelson, who was considered a generational prospect. While Vera-Tucker is a good prospect, he is nowhere near the same level of prospect that Nelson was.
Top undrafted free agent: Kenny Yeboah
The New York Jets were able to bring in one of the top five undrafted free agents when they signed Kenny Yeboah, who was graded as a fourth-round prospect. Yeboah is an excellent receiving tight end who makes his share of yards after the catch. While he needs to improve as a blocker he definitely has the talent to play in the NFL.
Yeboah joins a team that desperately needs tight end help as well, as the Jets had one of the worst tight end groups in the NFL last season. The team did go out and sign free agent Tyler Kroft this offseason, but he only caught seven passes last season with the Buffalo Bills. The only way Yeboah does not make this team is if he has a horrible training camp.