After what seems like an eternity, the NFL Draft is almost here.
We are only days away, but we presumably know the Raiders will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
The real intrigue starts with the Jets’ No. 2 overall pick and which defensive player they will select.
Gang Green has nine total selections in this year’s draft and four in the top 44 picks. So Jets general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn will have a ton of flexibility to trade and move around if they so choose.
“I think everything is always on the table,” Mougey said last month. “Those are conversations that are ongoing throughout the year.
“I’m always going to pick up the phone. We’re always gonna have conversations.”
With that in mind, let’s release the final Jets mock.
No. 2: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes. (John Fisher/Getty Images)
Several NFL Draft analysts in recent weeks have flipped their prediction from Reese to Texas Tech’s David Bailey at this spot. But I’m sticking with Reese simply because of everything he brings to the table.
Reese is a hybrid linebacker who would provide versatility to a Jets defense that sorely needs a Swiss Army knife player. He is exceptional in run defense and can play off-ball LB or edge. Bailey struggles in run defending, and his style of play is a lot like current Jet Will McDonald IV.
If the Jets aren’t going to draft Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, which it appears they aren’t, Reese is the best choice at this spot.
No. 16: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils. (Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)
The Jets addressed the defense heavily this offseason and with their first choice in our mock. But it is time to add reinforcements on the offensive side.
With Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon off the board here, Tyson is the next best receiver option at No. 16. He comes with an extensive injury history (2022 knee injury (torn ACL, MCL, PCL), a 2024 broken collarbone, and hamstring issues last season). Still, when on the field, Tyson was arguably the best receiver in the nation last season.
Garrett Wilson still led the Jets in receiving yards last season despite missing 10 games because of a knee injury. They must add more talent to their receiving corps and Tyson would be a perfect complement.
Trade: Jets trade No. 33 pick to Cardinals in exchange for No. 34, No. 143, and a 2027 7th-round pick
No. 34: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Colton Hood #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers. (Butch Dill/Getty Images)
Although the Jets already have young talent at cornerback in Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Azareye’h Thomas, adding Hood here would help fortify a secondary that finished 17th in passing yards allowed.
While at Tennessee, Hood played against and shut down some of the nation’s best receivers. He plays well in both man and zone coverages and getting him at the beginning of Round 2 would be a steal.
No. 44: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
The Jets double up at receiver by drafting Bell, who was pegged to be a first-round pick before his injury. He tore his ACL last November and missed the rest of the season.
Bell has the potential to be a No. 1 receiver in the league eventually. He is a player who has improved his route running and is a dynamic weapon after the catch. The Jets need offensive weapons, and having Bell alongside Tyson, Wilson and Adonai Mitchell would be a headache for defensive coordinators around the league.
No. 104: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
The Jets have a starting center in Josh Myers. But Lew could be their eventual center of the future.
Lew, who is recovering from an ACL tear, will likely slip to the fourth round. At 6-3, 310 pounds, Lew excels in run blocking, but is athletic enough to keep up with speed rushers at defensive tackle.
Also, adding Lew would keep Joe Tippmann at right guard, where he played his best football last season.
No. 140: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
Running back is not a need, but the Jets could use some depth there. Especially with Braelon Allen returning from a knee injury.
Black is a patient runner who loves to do damage to defenders in yards after contact. He is also a solid run blocker. Black would be a good change of pace running back behind Breece Hall.
No. 143: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
Durant is undersized at 6-1, 294 pounds, but he is a good run defender with disruptive ability behind the line of scrimmage. The Jets were 29th in rushing yards allowed and could use a rotational player like Durant in the mix.
Trade: Jets trade No. 179 and No. 242 to the Patriots for No. 191 and No. 212
No. 191: Carson Beck, QB, Miami
It seems inevitable that the Jets will draft a quarterback at some point. If Beck is still on the board in Round 6, and this is a great spot to get an experienced player, who the Jets could use as their backup to Geno Smith.
Beck is a rhythm passer who finished with a 72.4% completion percentage last season after transferring from Georgia. He needs to be more consistent and limit the turnovers, but Beck could eventually develop into a high-end backup QB much like the Texans’ Davis Mills.
No. 212: Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss
With Mason Taylor entrenched as their starter, the Jets add another exciting player late on Day 3 in Wright. He is a tight end who can stretch the field vertically and can be a weapon outside the numbers.
Wright’s run blocking is not his strong suit, but he should compete for a backup tight end role on the roster.
No. 228: Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo
Murdock is an inside linebacker who always finds a way to get to the football. While at Buffalo, he averaged 149 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.
Murdock’s instincts and tackling ability would at least make him a good special-teams contributor as he develops at the NFL level.