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Since taking over the Jets 10 months ago, Joe Douglas has made one thing clear: He intends to build this franchise through the draft.
Now, since it's his first draft as an NFL general manager, we don't know a lot about his approach just yet. But it seems unlikely he would surrender draft capital to move up from the 11th pick in the first round. Most likely, he'll stay right where he is, and take an offensive lineman or a receiver.
But what about trading down?
That seems a bit more likely, given the number of holes on the Jets' roster he has to fill. Douglas could trade down in the first round -- not too far -- and accumulate a couple of more picks on Day 2 or 3. The problem with that is it's hard to find an obvious match, unless one of the top quarterbacks somehow slip out of the Top 10.
But just to shake things up, let's try anyway: Here's my second shot at SNY's Jets 7-round Mock Draft, this time with a first-round trade:
The Deal: The Denver Broncos trade their first-round pick (15th overall), third-round pick (83rd) and a sixth-round pick (181st) to the Jets for their first-round pick (11th overall).
The Broncos need a receiver to replace Emmanuel Sanders and to pair with Courtland Sutton. And they have to know that the Raiders (at 12) and 49ers (at 13) are looking at receivers, too. They could stay put and still get a good one, but in this case, they use one of their three third-round picks to move up to get the top one on their board.
For the Jets to make this deal, though, it has to be all about draft capital for Douglas, because any move down could pull them right out of the offensive linemen and receivers at the top of their board.
First round (15th overall in trade from Denver Broncos) - LSU LB K'Lavon Chaisson
Trading does have its consequences, especially if only one of the top four offensive linemen is still on the board when the Jets would have picked at 11. Because even though the Broncos (11), Raiders (12) and 49ers (13) could all take receivers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 14 will probably then take an offensive lineman to protect new quarterback Tom Brady. And in that case, all top linemen and receivers will be gone.
But with an extra third-round pick to find offensive line help, and knowing he can find a receiver in Round 2, Douglas can feel free to help out at another position here and grab the edge-rusher the Jets have been seeking for years -- including this offseason when they at least discussed a pursuit of Jadeveon Clowney.
The 6-3, 254-pound Chaisson has tons of potential and had 6.5 sacks last year in his first year back from a torn ACL (and despite missing two games with an ankle injury). He's smart, too, and was a leader for the national champs, so he checks a lot of boxes for the Jets.
Second round (48th overall) - USC WR Michael Pittman
If the Jets don't take a receiver in the first round, it's hard to imagine them passing on one in the second, which is when the run on this deep class of receivers will really begin. They need a future No. 1 receiver and someone with size to play with Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman.
The 6-4, 223-pound Pittman could fill both needs. He was a reserve for two seasons with Sam Darnold at USC, which helps, but he really took off last season as a senior when he became the Trojans' go-to guy (101 catches, 1,275 yards, 11 touchdowns). He's extremely reliable with good hands, though some say he lacks breakaway speed. He'd be a heck of a good red-zone target for his old college QB, though.
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Third round (68th overall) - UConn T Matt Peart
Douglas is going to look for offensive linemen in this draft, and if he doesn't get one of the Big Four in the first round, he's going to look for ones with tons of potential. That describes the 6-7, 318-pounder from the Bronx who needs to add some muscle and learn some better technique, but comes with a huge upside, according to scouts.
For the Jets, he likely won't be able to step in right away, but he could eventually push Chuma Edoga for the right tackle job.
Third round (79th overall) - Louisiana-Lafayette OL Robert Hunt
He's got NFL size (6-5, 323) and tons of upside, and is considered something of a rising prospect among some NFL scouts. Aside from his strength and athleticism, scouts seem to like his technique. His power makes him an immediate factor for any team at guard, but he has the versatility to eventually transition to tackle.
He'd be depth right away for New York and possible competition for a starting job at guard or tackle in a year or two. Most importantly, it would give Douglas another big, young lineman to add to his stable.
Third-round (83rd overall, in trade from Denver Broncos) - LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Again, this might be a stretch because he has the talent to go higher, especially after his 1,414 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns for the national champs last year. But he's still only 5-7, and that could make him drop farther than expected, despite his 4.6 speed.
He'd be an ideal find this late for the Jets. He's got a year, at least, to sit behind Le'Veon Bell and learn. But the Jets clearly aren't locked into a long-term relationship with Bell and figure to be moving on in 2021. Maybe Edwards-Helaire won't be ready by then to be the guy, but he certainly could be a key part of the kind of backfield-by-committee that Adam Gase loves.
Fourth round (120th overall) - Auburn CB Javaris Davis
His size (5-8, 183) is going to scare away some people, but he's tough and has the speed (4.39) to compete in the NFL. And he proved it, according to scouts, with a solid performance at the Senior Bowl.
The cousin of Vernon and Vontae Davis, both former NFL players, Javaris projects as a slot corner. That job obviously belongs to Brian Poole with the Jets, but Poole is back on a one-year deal for the second straight year. The Jets still need to develop some young corners for the future, and Davis could be a future starter.
Fifth round (158th overall) - LSU TE Thaddeus Moss
The son of Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss was a reliable target for Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow last season, which has some scouts thinking he might be over-hyped and will end up over-drafted. But scouts also see potential and an obvious route-running ability that could help him in the NFL.
He's a good blocker, though, which will get him on the field, and he'll hopefully develop an ability to get open. The Jets can be patient, since they re-signed Ryan Griffin and have a hopefully-healthy Chris Herndon coming back. But the future of those two isn't secure, so the Jets will need to develop a young prospect.
It doesn't seem like the Jets have a big need at tight end, except that Griffin and Herndon missed basically all of last season with a suspension and then injuries, and he was drafted by the previous regime. So the Jets need depth, at least, and possibly even a future starter.
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Sixth-round (181st overall, in trade from Denver Broncos) - Wisconsin WR Quintez Cephus
He's a 6-1, 202-pound possession receiver, in the mold of Quincy Enunwa (but a little smaller). His 4.73 speed is a bit worrisome and there's some question about whether he can get open consistently in the NFL. But he's strong enough to muscle his way to tough catches and has the ability to power his way to yards from there.
He may not be able to replace Enunwa right away, but he has that potential eventually, as the Jets continue to try to build up their receiving corps for the future.
Sixth round (191st overall) - Ole Miss DT Benito Jones
The value of the 6-1, 316-pounder would be great this late. He is a powerful nose tackle who could be a strong part of the Jets' rotation, and a future replacement for Steve McLendon on the line. He could do the dirty work, theoretically, that could free Quinnen Williams up to really attack the pocket. But he can also rush the passer from the inside, too.
With McLendon already 34, and with the jury still out on Nathan Shepherd and Folorunso Fatukasi, the Jets could use some young depth on their line.
Seventh round (211th overall) - Missouri OL Yasir Durant
The late rounds are for fliers, and it's hard to believe that Douglas won't take one on an offensive lineman. And when he does, it'll be a big guy, like this 6-6, 331-pounder.
Durant was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Tigers, but he's also played some guard and could end up at right tackle. That gives the Jets a lot of options, so they can start him as a versatile backup in his rookie year.