Jets load up on premium positions in seven-round mock draft to begin a new era with urgency

The New York Jets enter the draft as a blank slate. Darren Mougey will have his first process as a general manager, building a team for first-time first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. In this type of atmosphere, the best way to go is trying to find building blocks, especially at premium positions.

And this is the focus of this seven-round mock draft. The Jets have extra picks in the fifth- and sixth-rounds, and no seventh-rounder, starting the process with a total of eight selections.

Trade down

Armand Membou and Will Campbell were both off the board by pick 7 using Pro Football Network's draft simulator tool. So the most sensible move was to trade down from pick 7 to 13, accumulating a fairly high second in the process.

Round 1, pick 13: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Edge might not be the strongest need for the Jets, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s time to acquire talent, and Green is an impressive one. He can do everything, and his performance last season included a 20.2% pass rush win rate. If the Jets are comfortable with his profile, he has undeniable on-field upside.

Round 2, pick 42: T Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

If the tackle didn’t come in the first round, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen whatsoever. Conerley is perceived as a potential first round prospect in this class, but he fell to the early second, and his combination of athletic upside and college performance is intriguing.

Round 2, pick 48: CB Shavon Revel, East Carolina

Another pick, another premium position selection. Revel is coming off an ACL injury, which is the main reason why he’s not higher on everyone’s board. But the Jets have time and a great defensive back developer in Aaron Glenn.

Round 3, pick 73: WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

It’s difficult to foresee a scenario where Higgins truly falls to the third, but this would be perfect for the Jets. Higgins is a classic X receiver, with good production and athletic ability to grow in the NFL. He’s not the most polished receiver in the class by any means, but the Jets already have Garrett Wilson with this profile anyway.

Round 4, pick 110: T Chase Lundt, UConn

Putting more resources in the offensive line is smart for the Jets after suffering so much at the unit, and Lundt is probably the best run blocker in the class. His profile fits well with what Glenn wants to be philosophically, especially while the Jets quarterback is Justin Fields.

Round 5, pick 145: LB Teddye Buchanan, California

Linebacker is not a big position of need either, nor a premium one, but Buchanan is a good depth piece and special teamer. The value in the fifth round is good enough to justify the selection.

Round 5, pick 162: WR Isaiah Bond, Texas

Bond has had off-field issues ahead of the draft, and he denies any wrongdoings. For the Jets, the fast receiver would be an opportunity to add an element of explosiveness to the offense, with a high upside.

Round 6, pick 186: RB Brashard Smith, SMU

The Jets have been tied to Ashton Jeanty in the first round, and it actually doesn’t make much sense. But if the Jets can grab a running back as effective as Brashard Smith in the sixth, there’s not a reason to not pull the trigger. Smith is more of a fourth-round talent, however this RB class is so strong that someone has to fall.

Round 6, pick 207: QB Donovan Smith, Houston

The Jets are in position to throw some darts at the quarterback position. And if they’re gonna do it late in the draft, it makes sense to get a player with a higher upside. Donovan Smith’s production isn’t that enticing, but his athletic profile and ceiling make it more appealing with the right circumstances to develop him.