The 2021 draft is almost upon us, and I can almost hear the boos of Jets fan’s past. A staple of every draft from my childhood was the inevitable roar (whimper) of Jets fans as each inept pick was announced. It never got old (full disclosure: I’m not a Jets fan, I just love schadenfreude, even at nine). The chorus of jeers was like music to my ears, and I admired the rabid fandom of such a mediocre franchise (search your feelings Jets fans, you know it to be true). However, this is not the Jets of NFL mediocrity past; the culture has shifted. Adam Gase, gone. Sam Darnold, GONE. Robert Saleh and his 4-3 defense, very much in. Thanks to GM Joe Douglas’ willingness to trade assets, the Jets have stockpiled an envious amount of picks. Throw in a surplus of early round selections, and the Jets are poised to get loaded, fast. If we study our NFL history, then we know one draft can turn around a team in a New York minute. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the upcoming picks.
2021 Picks
First Round
Pick 2
Pick 23
Second Round
Pick 34
Third Round
Pick 66
Pick 86
Fourth Round
Pick 107
Fifth Round
Pick 146
Pick 154
Sixth Round
Pick 186
Pick 226
Team Needs: QB, CB, DE
That is an impressive amount of draft capital to work with!
It is to no surprise that with the 2nd pick in the draft, the Jets will address the most important position in the league, quarterback. Enough has been said and covered about Zach Wilson, so Jets fans if you’re not on board with him now, too bad. The Mormon Messiah (copyright trademarked by West Coast Ace) is the man in the Meadowlands (errr MetLife) for the foreseeable future, BUT how Joe Douglas fills out the defense for Robert Saleh’s scheme will be the real question mark.
Will the Jets target a corner with the 23rd, or will they possibly make the mistake of trying to get Wilson offensive weapons too early? Douglas has been known to wheel n deal in the past, so does he use his later round capital, along with the 34th, to move back into the first round to load up on best available talent? I think the Jets, unless someone they really covet falls, stand pat and get defensive help with the 23rd and then grab a offensive asset with the 34th. Look for one of the top corners, Josh Newsome or Caleb Farley (probably gone), to be at the top of the wish list at 23. Also on the radar here, if he falls, would be DE Kwity Paye. I can almost hear Robert Saleh salivating.
If they get their defensive man in the first, then the Jets could grab a WR or RB in the second. Wilson to Rashod Bateman has a nice ring to it! Although, loading up on defense, especially if DE Terrell Basham is still around, may be the prudent pick here. However, the Jets will still have seven more picks before draft weekend is over, so, I do expect them to go heavy on the defensive side of the ball in these rounds, especially if they get an offensive player early on.
The reality is that after Wilson, the Jets could go in a multitude of different directions. In the past, that was a scary proposition, but these are not your Dad’s or even your older brother’s Jets. The culture has changed. Will this be the year the boos turn to cheers? I say yes, the Jets faithful will be a rosy and, dare I say, a downright giddy bunch. The future does look bright in Jets land, and regardless of what happens this weekend, we will always have the memories of drafts past. So long Jets fans and thanks for all the boos… um on second thought, WHO AM I FREAKING KIDDING, it’s the JETS!
Never change Jets fans…. and be sure to send your hate mail to @CharlieBadBets… enjoy the draft!
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