Last week the guys over a uStadium released a list of draft prospects that the Jets have spoken with. As stated in the report this does not mean this is who the Jets will draft but it does give an insight as to the positions and types of players they may target. In part two of this series, we will look at running backs, interior defensive line, edge, linebackers, and defensive backs. You can check out part one here.
List of names the #Jets have spoken with this draft season.https://t.co/iwWZ54UDnB pic.twitter.com/JXZIM1H5Nd
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) April 16, 2021
Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis, RB
Gainwell, who opted out of the 2020 season, measured just over 5-foot-8 and 201-pounds at his pro day. The former Tiger with 4.4 speed, will need to go to a team that uses running backs heavily in the passing game. Gainwell had only three drops on 60 catchable targets in his career. Look for Gainwell to come off the board in round three.
Travis Etienne, Clemson, RB
Etienne surprised many last year by not entering the NFL draft. The senior was able to show had he can be a weapon as a receiver out of the backfield in 2020. His 12.3 yard per reception average was third best in the nation among draft eligible backs. Etienne is 5-foot-10, 215-pounds and ran a 4.45 forty. The former Clemson Tiger will be selected late first or early second round of the 2021 draft.
Najee Harris, Alabama, RB
At 6-foot-1 and 230-pounds Harris is great in open space. He was second in the nation in both, yards after contact (821) and missed tackles forced (71), last season according to PFF. Harris had only three career drops on 100 targets. Look for Harris to be the first or second running back selected.
Michael Carter, UNC, RB
Carter is an explosive back that led the nation in carries of over 15 yards with 29. At 5-foot-8, 201-pounds he is one of the smaller back in the draft. Carter ran for 1,245 yards, added 267 receiving yards, and 25 catches. The former Tar Heel could be in play for the Jets with one of their two third-round picks.
Jaret Patterson, Buffalo, RB
At slightly over 5-foot-6 and 195-pounds Patterson is another tiny running back. Patterson had 1,074 rushing yards in only six games in 2020, including a 301-yard game and a 409-yard game. He did not add much to the passing game at Buffalo recording only 19 career receptions. He also had three career drops on 23 targets. Patterson is a late-round pick.
Javian Hawkins, Louisville, RB
Hawkins is fun to watch and moves like he is being controlled with a joystick. That being said at 5-foot-8 and 183-pounds his role will be limited in the NFL. He caught 16 passes last season and did not have a drop, in fact, he’s never had a drop in his entire career. Unless he can add some muscle I am not sure how big of a role Hawkins will have in the NFL.
Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State, RB
Jefferson measured in at 5-foot-10, 206-pounds at his pro day. He is not very explosive or elusive. Jefferson had only 27 missed tackles forced, 55th overall among NCAA backs last year. The former Beaver also had just 11 runs of over 15 yards in 2020. His lack of overall athleticism was on display at his pro day where he ran a very poor 7.39 second 3-cone drill and a 4.6 forty time. Jefferson is another late-round pick.
Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech, RB
The former Hokie is 5-foot-9, 210-pounds, and ran a 4.5 forty. Herbert was outstanding in 2020, rushing for 1,172 yards finding the end zone eight times. He was fourth in the nation with 734 yards after contact according to PFF last season. Herbert is a fourth-round prospect who had success in a zone rushing scheme that could be a good fit for the Jets.
Demetric Felton, UCLA, RB
Felton started his career at UCLA as a slot receiver before becoming a full-time running back in 2020. At 5-foot-8 and 189-pounds the former Bruin clocked a disappointing 4.59 forty. He is not an overly explosive back and had just eight carries of over 15 yards. Felton will have to be heavily involved in the passing game to have success in the NFL.
Darius Stills, West Virginia, IDL
Stills is an undersized lineman at 6-foot 278-pounds. He plays with a non-stop motor but his size will be a limiting factor in the NFL. Stills could be an addition as an undrafted free agent at the draft’s completion.
Alim McNeil, NC State, IDL
A junior at 6-foot-2 and 317-pounds, McNeil is a run-stuffing nose tackle that did not record a sack in 2020. He did however notch eleven QB hurries. McNeil received a 92.1 run defense grade from PFF. In a weak IDL class, McNeil could be the second defensive tackle taken. I would be shocked if he was selected by the Jets.
Levi Onwuzurike, Washington, IDL
A 2020 opt-out, Onwuzurike is a muscled-up defensive tackle. At 6-foot-3 and 290-pounds he ran an impressive 4.88 forty at his pro day. Onwuzurike has the ability to disrupt the quarterback having 63 total career pressures. With a second-round grade, I would not expect the Jets to spend a premium pick at this position.
Daelin Hayes, Notre Dame, EDGE
The former Fighting Irish, Hayes measured in at 6-foot-4, 253-pounds at Notre Dame’s pro day. He ran an impressive 4.75 forty and a solid 26 reps on the bench press. A four-year starter, Hayes is an older prospect. Look for Hayes to come off the board in the sixth or seventh round.
Jonathon Cooper, Ohio State, EDGE
Cooper is a 6-foot-2, 252-pound edge defender with 4.71 speed. He had three sacks, eight QB hits, and 22 hurries in 2020. Cooper is a 4-3 defensive end that the Jets could take a flier on late in the draft.
Elerson Smith, Northern Iowa, EDGE
Smith did not play in 2020 due to Covid-19 instead choosing to prepare for the NFL draft. In two seasons at Northern Iowa, he recorded 75 total pressures. Smith is 6-foot-6, 252-pounds, and ran a 4.78 forty.
Greg Newsome II, Northwestern, CB
Newsome is a first-round talent and someone the Jets will likely consider with the 23rd pick. He is 6-foot, 190-pounds, and ran 4.39 forty. Newsome allowed a 31.7 passer rating against and received a coverage grade of 83.8 from PFF. Northwestern played a lot of zone coverage, something the Jets will likely do under Saleh.
Darren Hall, SDSU, CB
Hall allowed a passer rating against of 76.4, picked off three passes, and had four pass break-ups. At 6-foot and 188-pounds he does not have ideal size. He was tied for tenth in coverage stops and missed just two tackles all season. Hall projects as a late-round corner.
Trill Williams, Syracuse, CB
At 6-foot-1 and 208-pounds, Williams played slot corner at Syracuse but he may be best suited to play outside in the NFL. He recorded just four interceptions and six pass breakups in his three years at Syracuse. A Yonkers kid, Williams is projected to go in the fourth round.
Elijah Molden, Washington, CB
Molden will play slot corner in the NFL and should be a good one. In 2020 he allowed a passer rating against of just 44.9 and allowed just 65 yards in 107 total coverage snaps. At 5-foot-9 and 192-pounds he unlikely to play on the outside. Molden has a day two grade and the Jets are in need of a slot corner.
Benjamin St. Juste, Minnesota, CB
St. Juste is a big corner at 6-foot-3 and 202-pounds. The Canadian-born cornerback recorded a 4.55 forty time and an elite 6.63 seconds 3-cone drill. He allowed a passer rating of 102.9 in just five games in 2020. St. Juste saw his stock rise with a solid week at the senior bowl and some believe his best football is ahead of him.
Joshuah Bledsoe, Missouri, CB
AT 6-foot, 201-pounds Bledsoe played the majority of his snaps in the slot last year but provides some experience at safety as well. He received a coverage grade of 66.3 from PFF and allowed a 111.9 passer rating.
Zaven Collins, Tulsa, LB
At 6-foot-5 and 259-pounds Collins ran a 4.66 forty. He got a 93.0 coverage grade from PFF while notching four interceptions. Collins offers some versatility as he has the size and skill set to wreak havoc in the backfield. He recorded 16 total pressures in just eight games. The Jets are in need of linebackers and Collins could be on the board at either the 23rd and 34th picks.
How @ZavenCollins describes himself: Versatile, athletic, freakish 💪
— NFL (@NFL) April 22, 2021
Which team is drafting the @TulsaFootball star LB?
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft – 4/29 to 5/1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/t0hRM0dw4V
K.J. Britt, Auburn, LB
Britt’s value would have been higher in the NFL of several years ago. At 6-foot, 235-pounds he is not what is in vogue in today’s game. Britt is a seventh-round pick or even a UDFA that would likely have to come off the field on passing downs.
