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New York Jets: 3 Late-round sleeper targets in 2019 NFL Draft

By Stephen Smith

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 24: DeMarkus Lodge #5 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter while being defended by Juwuan Briscoe #12 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 24: DeMarkus Lodge #5 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter while being defended by Juwuan Briscoe #12 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The New York Jets face a key draft later this month in Nashville. Here are three late-round sleeper prospects they should consider selecting.

The 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville is going to be an interesting one for the New York Jets — and a very important one. General manager Mike Maccagnan must come through with a stellar draft. He needs to continue to build the talent base after a pretty successful free agent campaign last month.

Every selection will be an important one because Maccagnan has to improve the depth on his roster if Gang Green every hopes to contend for that ever-elusive AFC East crown.

With that being said, let’s take a look at three quality sleeper targets that Maccagnan should seriously consider in the later rounds of this year’s annual NFL Draft extravaganza.

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Damarkus Lodge, WR, Ole Miss (Projected Round: 6)

The Ole Miss product started 11 games for the Rebels in 2018 and registered 65 catches for 877 yards (13.5 average) and four touchdowns. Lodge has solid size (6-2, 202 pounds) for a NFL wide receiver, but does not possess a great deal of speed. Hence, he’s a late round prospect.

The Cedar Hills, TX native is physical and owns strong hands and would help the Jets as a possession receiver. His footwork is precise along the sideline and he’s adept at contested throws. He’d provide quality depth to their wide receiving corps and Lodge has the potential to be a fine special teamer as well.

Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt (Projected Round: 6)

Gang Green could certainly use some quality depth in their defensive backfield. The Vanderbilt product has excellent length for a corner (6-4, 211 pounds) and was a second-team All-SEC selection last season. Williams recorded 61 tackles (two for loss), 14 passes defensed and four interceptions for the Commodores in 2018.

Williams lacks premium closing speed and commits too many penalties, but he has fine agility for a press corner. He known as a solid open-field tackler too. You can’t teach length and Williams has plenty of it.

Next. Full 7-round 2019 NFL mock draft. dark

Bunchy Stallings, G/C, Kentucky (Projected Round: 7)

How can you not love a guy by the name of Bunchy? All kidding aside, seventh round picks are always a crapshoot — Trenton Cannon (RB) made the Jets opening day roster last season as a seventh round pick, but many prospects drafted this late never make it. What helps the 6-3, 305-pounder is that he can play both guard and center and versatility along the offensive line is always a good thing. Why not take a chance on the former Kentucky Wildcats standout?

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