We just days away from draft day and the anticipation is on fire right now! Nobody really knows what the Jets are doing but as usual some will speculate. In this article, I will be presenting my favorite draft prospects that the Jets should consider drafting with the #23 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There were a lot to choose from but I’ve got popular opinions and not-so popular opinionated onto here. Let’s begin:
1. Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari, EDGE
In recent Mock Drafts, Daniel Jeremiah and plenty of others are saying that the Jets are actively interested into Azeez. They’ve projected him to be drafted to them. I don’t see why though, he’s a 3-4 LB going into a 4-3 system if he’d become a Jet. It wouldn’t be a scheme fit and I wouldn’t want to bring in a kid who’s already with a heavier disadvantage. When it comes to body and arms, he’s a big dude and has a great build. The bad part is his height, he’s very undersized and won’t be able to set hard edges. Another thing is that blocks stick to him and that’s never good for EDGE rushers, I like Azeez’s leadership and that’s probably why Douglas likes him but he’s not a scheme fit. He put up 9.5 sacks this past year and 31 total tackles, I like it. As much as an intriguing prospect Azeez is, I’m not sure I’d take him at #23. Great prospect, but for a 3-4 defense. Height could be an issue but with his body and build maybe he can break through. I really like him as a prospect, he’s an athlete. I hope someone could work off of him and draw double teams away from Azeez. I wouldn’t be upset if the Jets drafted him because of his athletic abilities and he’s a leader/captian from what I hear. I just don’t know if he’s a scheme fit.
Measurements and Stats:
Age- 21 (Will be on Week One)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 249 LBS
Arms: 34.5″
Hands: 10.5″
40 Time: 4.63
Broad Jump: 10 feet
Sacks: 9.5
Total Tackles: 31
Tackles for loss: 12.5
Pass Deflections: 2
Forced Fumbles: 4
Games Played: 10
2. Miami’s Jaelan Phillips, EDGE
Now this right here, is the man for the job. IF Jaelan Phillips falls to #23, I think it’s a no-brainer. Jaelan is arguably the best EDGE rusher in this draft, but the most underrated. When he transferred from UCLA to Miami, he made sound waves when he arrived. He had a MONSTER year in 2020 and makes it exciting when seeing him play. He is a scheme fit because he’s versatile to both the 4-3 defense and the 3-4 defense. He has an excellent motor and is everything you want in an EDGE rusher. Only negatives are the amount of pass-rush moves he has, he could be a one-year wonder, he has a clear injury history and needs to play better in head-to-head plays with lineman. I still love Jaelan as a prospect and when lined up next to Quinnen, Rankins, Lawson, and JFM. I think he’ll eat up the QBs whenever he pleases to. As previously stated, he’s a good athlete and if he falls to the Jets it should be a no-brainer.
Measurement and Stats:
Age- 22 (At start of Week One)
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 260 LBS
Arms: 33.25”
Hands: 9.75”
40 Time: 4.56
Sacks: 8.0
Total Tackles: 45
Tackles for loss: 15.5
Pass Deflections: 3
Interceptions: 1
Games Played: 10
3. Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey, C/G
Creed is Joe Douglas’ dream player. He was a three year starter and two year captain for the Sooners and he has a wrestling history. It was also rumored that the Jets have clear interest in Creed. Personally, I love Creed and I’d love to draft him but my only issue is his arm length. It’s a domino that leads to many problems, long armed lineman can create separation and get through him. However, he has not allowed a single sack in two years. He has exquisite pass protection, but with the way the draft is heading it looks like we can get him in RD2. He has great technique, he can be violent when needed, can recover from losing a battle, and has good footwork and hands. Creed is a great player but I wonder if they’ll transfer him to Guard or move McGovern to guard and make Creed the center. They like McGovern at Center though, so I don’t see Creed playing Center. I would be happy with Creed at pick 23 or even at pick 34.
Measurements:
Age- 22 (At start of Week One)
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 302 LBS
Arms: 32.25”
Hands: 9.5″
40 Time: 5.09
4. Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins, OT
Teven is the luckiest prospect ever, nobody had him going round one until a few weeks ago and I see why. He has a baby-face but on the field he’s a violent monster. Some say too violent. He plays tackle, no certain side because at OK State he played on both sides in every game. However, Teven shares the same issue that Creed has, small arms and struggles against speed rush. As bad as that is he provides good pass protection since he’s allowed NO sacks in 2020. He’s a monster like Becton and will crush someone and seems to have a motor. However, the Jets don’t necessarily need a tackle, especially this early in the draft. To recap, I like the kid he’s like a monster but he has some arm issues.
Measurements:
Age- 23 (Birthday in March)
Height: 6′ 6″
Weight: 317 LBS
Arms: 33.5”
Hands: 9.5″
40 Time: 4.96
5. Alabama’s Najee Harris, RB
This is an underrated option, and very much disliked one but I would love it. Najee is a big back and is very Derrick Henry-ish. He may not be as elusive as Etienne but he would make a big impact on our offense. We already have 2 versatile backs in Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson so adding a power back wouldn’t do much harm. Najee is also a captain in his locker room, he showed up to Alabama’s pro day to cheer on teammates. He wasn’t scheduled to perform, shows you how much he cares about his guys. Now the questionable and negatives are his breakaway speed and he takes unnecessary hits that could get him hurt. Alabama was a great recent track record with running backs, Offensive Rookie of the Year Runner Up Josh Jacobs and Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry, who just had a 2k season. I like Najee and would love to take him at #23, I know people hate drafting RBs in rd1 but Najee is what we need. The more weapons for the Zach, the merrier.
Measurement and Stats:
Age- 23 (Birthday was in March)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 232 LBS
Arms: 33.25”
Hands: 10.25”
40 Time: 4.45
Rushing Yards: 1466
TDs: 26
Rushes: 251
Games: 13
6. Clemson’s Travis Etienne, RB
I’m a huge fan of Etienne and would not be disappointed if he was the pick. He’s a complete scheme fit and is probably the second best RB in the draft. He’s elusive and catches out the backfield. Only issues are his size and ball security. However, since his play type is elusive and catching so he doesn’t have to be huge like Najee. Wilson’s going to need playmakers and Etienne could be a massive playmaker in this offense. He was a huge help for Lawrence at Clemson and could relieve a lot of stress from QBs because of the easy check down ability. I like Etienne and I hope he’s considered at #23 if available.
Measurement and Stats:
Age- 22 (Birthday was in January)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215 LBS
Arms: 30.125”
Hands: 9.375”
40 Time: 4.41
Rushing Yards: 914
TDs: 14
Rushes: 168
Games: 12
Receiving Yards: 588
TDs: 2
REC: 48
Thanks for reading everybody. This has been Jose Calderon III with FiveBorough Dispatch. Have a great day, everybody!
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