Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our New York Jets Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the New York Jets from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
For a more inclusive lists of mock drafts for the New York Jets, check out our 2021 New York Jets Mock Draft Database.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Jets:
Rotoworld - Nystrom (8/21)
5. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Going back to his time at USC,
Sam Darnold has rarely shared the field with game-breaking receivers. It should be New York's top priority next offseason to change that. Waddle is so dangerous, with 4.3 wheels and precision steering through traffic. He led the country with 12.2 yards after the catch last year. And as with former teammate Henry Ruggs, Waddle's deep speed must be respected by the defense each play. Waddle also provides All-Pro returner ability.
23. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The Jets addressed their receiver need with Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle earlier in the mock. This time around, they plug a cornerback need with Adebo. Adebo is a long ballhawk with a knack for getting his hands on the pigskin.
PFF - Renner (8/19)
6. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The No. 1 receiver that Sam Darnold so desperately needs has arrived. While last year's top options in CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy won with their craftiness as route-runners, Chase can shake you and straight bully you, as well. He's a 6-foot, 208-pound slab of granite who can do it all. He ranked top-15 nationally in contested catches (16, 12th), broken tackles (22, 7th), touchdowns (20, 1st), deep catches (24, 1st) and yards (1,780, 1st).
26. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Even with the complete overhaul of the Jets offensive line in the offseason, it still looks like a weakness heading into 2020. Free-agent signing
George Fant is unlikely to be the answer, and they didn't give him much guaranteed money for that very reason. Leatherwood is a smooth pass-protector who actually allowed fewer pressures last season (9) than 2020 top-10 pick Jedrick Wills Jr. (13).
The Draft Network - Crabbs (8/19)
6. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The Jets' secondary room is in rough shape with the departure of
Jamal Adams. If the team is going to continue to bank on schemed pressure to create heat on opposing quarterbacks, they'll need to get a whole lot better in coverage. Surtain II allows them to do exactly that at a high-value position.
25. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
The Jets can't get out of the first round without providing QB Sam Darnold with some help -- he will be entering Year 4 in 2021 and, at least through his first two years, we have no idea how good Darnold actually is. Personnel has been a problem, as has coaching. By eliminating some of the other variables the Jets can narrow their focus on if Darnold is, or isn't, the guy. Moore is electric and can thrive in short spaces and after the catch.
Pro Football Network - Hodgkinson (8/16)
8. Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Trading away Jamal Adams means that the New York Jets will have two first-round selections in the 2021 NFL Draft. It would be easy to suggest that they need to replace Adams, but there are needs across the defense, including cornerback and linebacker. Although the Jets drafted Denzel Mims last year, expect wide receiver to be a consideration with one of those two first-round picks.
Despite injury in 2019, there was talk that Dylan Moses would have been a first-round pick in last year'‘s draft. He returned to Alabama to add tape to an already impressive portfolio and is expected to cement his stock as an early first-round pick. A heavy-hitting, bullet out of the gun linebacker, Moses is one of the best defensive players in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
21. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Put simply, Rondale Moore is one of the most explosive and entertaining players to grace the college game in recent years. Although his 5'9'' height will ultimately count against him in the eyes of NFL talent evaluators, he will be a valuable piece on any offense. Get the ball in his hands anyway you can and watch him go to work. Moore can be unstoppable on his day, as witnessed against Ohio State in 2018.
ESPN - McShay (8/12)
8. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Man, Ohio State just keeps churning out first-round cornerbacks. Wade was stuck behind a pair of them, Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, on the depth chart and relegated to slot duties in 2019, but he can also play outside. He is fluid and quick, and while he could use more game experience, he has the physical tools to become a very good cornerback at the next level. A lot of attention was given to providing quarterback Sam Darnold help this offseason, but I think the Jets might turn to the defensive side of the ball with this pick, especially with much of the secondary set to hit the open market after the season.
24. Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
With Wade already headed to the Jets, let's flip back to Darnold's offense here with the slot acquired in the Jamal Adams trade. Wide receiver Denzel Mims will certainly get looks in his rookie year, but I have concerns about the team's depth at the position.
Breshad Perriman is currently the team's No. 1 option, and slot target
Jamison Crowder led the WR room with 833 receiving yards last season. Darnold will be three seasons into his rookie contract by the time New York is on the clock, and the Jets just can't afford to waste that. Surratt has good size and found the end zone 11 times last season for Wake Forest -- which despite having a total of three first-rounders in the modern draft era (since 1967) has two players going in the top 24 picks in this mock.
The Draft Network - Reid (8/10)
5. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
One of the biggest positional needs of any team across the board during the opening round of the 2021 draft is how starved the Jets are of a consistent presence off of the edge. The franchise hasn't had a player post a double-digit sack season since
Muhammad Wilkerson recorded 12.0 during the 2015 season.
Already opting out of the 2020 season and declared for the draft, Rousseau qualifies as the lanky prospect that the team has coveted. 19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks during his redshirt freshman season is the only sample that teams will have to evaluate him off of, but at 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, he's destined to be selected early.
22. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Drafting Mekhi Becton and Denzel Mims as the team's first two draft selections in 2020 showed that general manager Joe Douglas was all in on placing a supporting cast for Sam Darnold. The rookie contact clock is ticking on the former No. 3 overall pick and the team essentially still doesn't know what they have in him going forward. In order to get a clearer picture of that, they continue to provide weapons for him by taking Bateman.
Already opting out and declaring for the 2021 draft, Bateman will stand on his impressive sophomore season where he collected 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. Pairing Bateman with Mims gives the team two young and reliable options on the perimeter to mold their corps around for the foreseeable future.
Pro Football Network - Valdovinos (8/9)
8. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
The Jets hiring Joe Douglas to be their general manager is the best move the franchise has made in years. He had one of the top draft classes in the 2020 NFL Draft and traded Jamal Adams for maximum value. They stole WR Denzel Mims last year late in the second round, who projects to function as the X-receiver.
Adding Rondale Moore – my top receiver in 2021 – would provide an explosive Z-receiver who can double as a slot and produce both yards after the catch and function as a deep threat.
21. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
I'm already convinced that people are going to attack me on twitter for letting Rousseau fall this far. Well please, bring it on. Rousseau is a high-upside prospect with very good physical tools. However, he's about as raw as they come, and desperately needed another season of film to show his development as a pass-rusher and run defender.
Rousseau recently opted out of the CFB season to focus on developing for the NFL Draft, and while I respect his decision, I do believe it negatively impacts his draft stock. The Jets' biggest need is edge rusher, and while I didn't like the value of Rousseau at nine, I feel it can be justified at 21.
The Draft Network - Marino (8/3)
5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Jets' efforts to build a quality supporting cast around Sam Darnold are still very much a work in progress. While general manager Joe Douglas made considerable investments on the offensive side of the football this offseason, Darnold's weaponry is still incomplete even with the drafting of Denzel Mims.
Chase, who is coming off the greatest receiving season in SEC history, is an extremely polished receiver. He is a dynamic route-runner with outstanding hands and ball skills. He creates terrific separation but is also elite in contested situations. Chase is truly a threat at all levels of the field and would give Darnold a true No. 1 target to funnel the passing game through.
21. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
The Jets' cornerback room lacks ideal options and almost all of them are playing on contracts that expire after this season. While Bryce Hall could very well end up being a steal from the 2020 Draft, the Jets need a whole lot more than just Hall to solidify the corner situation.
Wade would be an exciting addition. While he's worked primarily from the slot as first-rounders Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah have manned the outside, Wade is expected to be a wide corner in 2020. Wade has good size, athleticism, and physicality with no limitations that should make the transition outside an issue. With a strong season, he could come off the board much higher by next April.
Previous update: New York Jets Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups
More New York Jets content:
Also, check out more of our content:
