New York Jets: 3 Sleeper targets at wide receiver in 2018 NFL Draft

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STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver Marcell Ateman #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys lines up against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Baylor 59-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets need depth in their wide receiver corps. Here are three sleepers they should consider selecting in the 2018 NFL Draft.

It’s an exciting time in the NFL. The Combine is less than two weeks away. Free agency commences in March and the 2018 NFL Draft takes place the following month. The New York Jets face a crucial off-season. They must make an impact in free agency and the draft. As they begin to prepare their big board, they’ll need to bolster their depth at the wide receiver position.

Gang Green has three picks in the first two rounds of the draft, including two in the second round. They should concentrate on the quarterback, cornerback and edge rusher/linebacker positions with those selections. The Jets can begin to add some talented wide receivers to their roster in the middle and late rounds.

These players are not projected to be starters in the NFL in their rookie campaigns. They do have upside though and can be solid contributors down the road. Let’s take a look at three sleepers the Jets should consider selecting (projected round in parentheses):

3. Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State

The 6-4, 220-pounder missed the 2016 season with a foot injury but came back with a vengeance last year by earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. Ateman recorded 59 receptions for 1,156 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 19.4 yards per catch in the Cowboys’ wide-open offensive attack.

The Dallas, TX native has very good size and length. He’s known for having strong hands that help him make the difficult catch in traffic. Ateman excelled mostly on vertical and sluggo routes. He used his height and length to his advantage by leaping to make receptions over smaller corners. Ateman does not have breakaway speed but he can create separation against press corners. He’s been highly effective in jump ball situations.

The secondary play in the Big 12 was mediocre at best in 2017 so Ateman certainly took advantage of that. It gets much, much tougher on the pro level. He also needs time to learn the whole route tree. Ateman is a little one-dimensional in that regard. He does have nice potential though and he’d provide the Jets with some quality depth in their receiving corps.

(Projected Round: 5)

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