APC Community Mock Draft - The Jets are set to pick again at 23

With the 22nd pick in the draft, the Titans secured Greg Newsome II to match up with big receivers in their division like D.J. Chark and Michael Pittman Jr. The Titans continue shoring up their secondary after signing Janoris Jenkins in free agency. In Newsome, the Titans are getting a scheme diverse corner who they can afford to bring along slowly next to Jenkins. His biggest downside is an injury history that caused him to only play in 21 games in his collegiate career. Like a few other talented corners in the first round, if he stays healthy, Newsome has all the talent to be a very good starter.

Earlier in our mock, the Jets picked their second top-5 QB in the past 4 drafts as they chose Zach Wilson to lead the franchise. Since then, New York traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers for three picks, including a 2021 sixth-rounder. They will surely want to learn from their mistakes this go around and build a better team around Wilson.

CB is probably the weakest position on the Jets roster currently, so they’ll need to come out of this draft with at least one day 1 starter. Asante Samuel Jr. is still available here and would represent a sort of cosmic justice for the Jets. Samuel’s father played for the Patriots for the first 5 years of his career and was a nightmare against New York. The Jets could also pick an edge rusher here to pair with newly signed Carl Lawson. Robert Saleh’s new 4-3 defense is all about creating pressure with your front 4, a big shift from the blitz-heavy scheme the Jets used under Gregg Williams. Expect them to target a DE in the first 2 days of the draft. Let’s check out the previous picks before jumping into the Jets’ options.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
4. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
6. Miami Dolphins - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
7. Detroit Lions - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
8. Carolina Panthers - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
9. Denver Broncos - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
10. Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
11. New York Giants - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
12. Philadelphia Eagles - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
14. Minnesota Vikings - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
15. New England Patriots - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
16. Arizona Cardinals - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
18. Miami Dolphins - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
19. Washington Football Team - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
20. Chicago Bears - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
21. Indianapolis Colts - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
22. Tennessee Titans - Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

The Jets have a few talented options to shore up Robert Saleh’s defense.

Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

Samuel is an absolute ballhawk. His size, 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, could be an issue but he put up big numbers for the Seminoles in all three years of his career. Before opting out later in the 2020 season, Samuel had 3 interceptions to go with 6 pass breakups. He totaled 29 breakups in his three years, showing off his nose for the ball. He makes up for his size with good footwork and high IQ, but could have trouble matching up with bigger receivers early on in his career. With a few changes in technique at the next level, Samuel can clean up penalties and become a solid, disciplined corner.

Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia

The Bulldogs keep producing quality edge rushers from their 3-4 defense, and Ojulari is the latest in that line. He leaves Athens after a redshirt sophomore year that saw him accrue 9.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles in just ten games. Three of those sacks came in Georgia’s bowl game against Cincinnati. With excellent speed and functional strength, he looks to have all the tools to turn into a top-flight pass-rusher, and given his youth, he has a tremendous ceiling. He just may need to add some bulk over time to hold up in the run game.

Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

Of all the edge rushers in this draft, Oweh may be the most athletic. While he didn’t record a sack in 2020, Oweh finished with 6.5 tackles for loss and was voted first-team All-Big Ten. The tools are not all there yet, but Oweh only played 20 games in college and didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, he has the strength and speed to be a situational rusher from day 1. Oweh does not have many pass rush moves in his arsenal and will need to develop counters to what he’ll see in the league. He may be too raw to make a real, every-down impact in his first season, but teams will be salivating over the possibilities down the line.

With the 23rd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select…

The Jets hope to continue their big draft day with a defensive standout after drafting Zach Wilson at 2. Whether they go with a CB or an Edge to mold Robert Saleh’s defensive line, Jets fans may finally have something to be excited about. Vote above and on Twitter @acmepackingco and check back at 4 PM EST today as we look at the Steelers’ options at pick 24.