5 Different Scenarios for Jets' First 2 Rounds

Google “2014 Jets mock draft” and open up any of the 19.3 million links. Odds are you’re probably looking either at a wide receiver or a cornerback projected to the Green & White at pick No. 18. Take it a step further to look at Round 1 and 2 combos, and you’ll find no such consensus. Our research of 15 different position groupings for the Jets’ first two rounds yielded nine different results. Still, there are some patterns to note. Cornerback FirstOf the eight two-round mocks that have the Jets selecting a cornerback, six of them have us getting our hands on one in Round 1. The most popular position combination, as perceived by four different analysts, has the Jets going with a corner at 18 and a wideout at 49. Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard is the most frequently named player in these scenarios, including in Real Football Services’ Jets-only mock draft on newyorkjets.com with this explanation: “A lot of fans want to see a receiver in this spot, and Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and Marqise Lee were all sitting there on the board for us. But with the QBs and OTs pushing the WRs down in this scenario, and given the depth of talent at receiver, we knew there would be good players available in the next three rounds…” Tight End SecondIf UNC’s Eric Ebron is unavailable by the time the Jets are on the clock, we’ll likely take a wait-and-see approach on adding a complementary piece to Jeff Cumberland & Co. While one-third of the sample has us selecting a tight end within the first two rounds, just one mock has us using our 18th overall pick on the position. TEs Jace Amaro (Texas Tech) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington) appear to be the most intriguing Round 2 options, and three of the 15 analysts pair one of these two prospects with a first-round wide receiver. In ESPN’s three-round co-op mock between Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, the latter writes, “Kiper took a wide receiver for the Jets at No. 18 in Brandin Cooks, and we'll add another weapon in Amaro, who doesn't have elite speed but is a big target [6'5", 265 pounds] in the passing game.” But Not in That OrderInterestingly, the two general trends laid out above appear to be mutually exclusive, as none of the 15 independent multi-round mocks have us going with cornerback first and tight end second. Aside from the already discussed CB/WR and WR/TE pairings, a pair of defensive-minded analysts went with corner/defensive end and corner/safety, while the only other Round 2 tight end selection preceded the pick with a guard. Wide Receiver Can’t WaitMuch has been said about the depth at wide receiver, yet only three mock drafters were bold enough to pass on the position for the Jets in each of the first two rounds. Seven of the 15 have us taking a wideout first; five of the 15 have us taking a wideout second. As has been the case for quite some time now, Beckham, Cooks and Lee are the likely Round 1 options at the position, while Round 2 possibilities include Penn State’s Allen Robinson, Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin, Fresno State’s Davante Adams and Ole Miss product Donte Moncrief. If WR truly is as deep as many say, though, don’t be surprised to see the Jets pass on a dynamic wideout twice within the first 50 overall picks. But Safety CanAnother noteworthy takeaway from these multi-round mocks: Only one has the Jets taking a safety in either of the first two rounds. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Alabama) and Calvin Pryor (Louisville) could both go during the first half of Round 1. Once they’re off the board, there’s a significant talent dropoff at safety in the eyes of many, with Jimmie Ward (Northern Illinois) leading the second tier. “Ward is a playmaker with the cover skills to match up with slot receivers and the speed to play a centerfielder-type role, making him a good fit for the Jets,” writes ESPN.com’s Steve Muench in a recent Jets-specific mock draft. “While he doesn't have great size at 5'10" and 193 pounds, he's above-average in run support.”

5 Different Scenarios for Jets' First 2 Rounds

No Consensus Among Mock Drafters for Players, Positions at 18, 49