The New York Jets have work ahead to build their roster into a contender but they get a great start in this pre-free agency 2020 7-round mock draft.
After selecting Sam Darnold in the first round, signing Le’Veon Bell and C.J. Mosley in free agency and then bringing in Adam Gase as the new head coach, the New York Jets‘ 2019 season didn’t exactly go to plan. They were only worse in the AFC East than the Miami Dolphins — a team who tore their roster down to the studs — and missed the playoffs by a mile. Now, the 2020 offseason is about fixing that.
The Jets have some big moves to potentially make in free agency. Gang Green could choose to pay wide receiver Robby Anderson and bring him back. Meanwhile, they could also aggressive look to improve their offensive line by going after someone like Jack Conklin or Brandon Scherff, arguably the two best linemen on the market.
Even if the Jets do pursue players of that caliber in free agency, though, New York could still address them in the 2020 NFL Draft. Moreover, they need to get better on the edge of their front seven and in the secondary if they are going to be capable of competing for a playoff spot moving forward.
Making those types of strides was the goal in this 2020 seven-round mock draft for the New York Jets prior to the start of free agency.
Of the many issues that the New York Jets were forced to suffer through last season, one of the biggest was the struggles of their offensive line. Darnold didn’t have time to ever throw without trying to escape duress while Bell was unable to utilize the style that makes him a special running back and someone who’s patient behind his blockers.
Frankly, there is no spot that the Jets could not stand to upgrade in the trenches for their offense to get on track. Even if they get Conklin, Scherff or another free-agent addition, they need to get more help. Particularly with Conklin, New York would still need a long-term answer at the left tackle spot.
Andrew Thomas out of Georgia could be the guy to fill that void. Bell would be ecstatic with the addition of the former Bulldog as Thomas would come in and immediately give the Jets a road-grader in the run game that can be highly effective.
His footwork in pass-blocking needs some work but Thomas is still an effective player in that capacity as he enters the NFL. All in all, the Jets must shore up the offensive line before they’re an effective unit so grabbing Thomas with the No. 11 pick is critical.