Not only has the retirement of D’Brickshaw Ferguson set the New York Jets into turmoil here just few weeks ahead of the draft, it’s caused chaos on my own mock draft. Not only have I changed my plan for the Jets’ draft, I’ve had to switch picks around on other drafts.
It’s rippled through my past drafts and now I’ve had to change things around for the San Francisco 49ers, the Chicago Bears and the San Diego Chargers and luckily that was the worst of it. On the bright side, you’ve already learned about some of these guys in past mock drafts.
So here is the New York Jets Perfect Mock Draft. To see every team’s perfect draft click here.
Round 1, Pick 20 – Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
2015: Four-year starter at left tackle, 6-foot-6, 301 pounds
I usually do a replacement feature on any retired player, but with the Jets’ mock draft coming right up on the schedule there was no reason to. With Ferguson gone the Jets will have plenty of money to come to an agreement with free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick now, but they also need a tackle. Spriggs is the best one on the board at this point. He’s is an athletic guy for his size and was actually originally recruited as a tight end. I originally had Spriggs going to the 49ers in the top part of Round Two, but the Jets have a need and Spriggs is a day-one starter for them.
Round 2, Pick Pick 51 – Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida
2015: 40 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes defended, 6-foot-3, 285 pounds. 6-foot 3, 285 pounds
Bullard is exactly the kind of player that gets projected for the second round but ends up getting snagged at the bottom of the first because he can rush the passer. Bullard was a star for Florida last season and can line up at every position along the defensive line. He’s got the right size to play in a 4-3, but can move inside on a 3-4. Bullard is a classic run-stopper and outside rusher. Bullard is another repeat pick I had to replace for the San Diego Chargers. The move actually works out for both teams as the Chargers get to draft Emmanuel Ogbah who drops out of the first round now and the Jets get Bullard, who would have been long gone on this board had Ferguson not called it a career. See? Ripples.
Round 3, Pick 83 – Sebastian Tretola, OG, Arkansas
2015: Co-recipient of Jacobs Trophy, Allowed just 0.5 sacks, 6-foot-4, 314 pounds
The Jets can continue working on their offensive line by selecting Tretola and plugging him in immediately. Not only is he a stellar pass blocker, but Arkansas had one of the best running attacks in the country. With the Jets’ emphasis on balance and running between the tackles, it wouldn’t hurt to have Tretola between the tackles too.
Round 4, Pick 118 – Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
2015: 28 catches, 421 yards, three touchdowns, 6-foot-5, 247 pounds
Adams is a weapon that the Gamecocks used not for first downs, but for big plays. Adams averaged 15 yards per catch and laid down a 4.59 40-yard dash at his team’s pro day. He’s fast, he’s huge, he’s athletic and he can run the length of the field like few other tight ends in this draft can.
Round 5, Pick 157 – Morgan Burns, CB, Kansas State
2015: 37 tackles, one interception, 10 passes defended, 34 kick returns, 1,138 kick return yards, 33.5 return yard average, four touchdowns, 5-10, 200 pounds
Solid in size and fast, Burns literally burned his 40-yard dash at his pro day, putting down a 4.40 time. His size is good and the Wildcats trusted him consistently on one-on-one match ups. His most valuable asset is rookie year should be kick returns. He was the best returner in the country, averaging a third of a football field every time he touched the ball and scoring a nation-leading four touchdowns.
Round 7, Pick 244 – Nick Richter, OT, Richmond
2015: All-CAA as a senior, two-year starter, 6-foot-6, 304 pounds
Richter worked his tail off to get on draft boards and the Richmond,. helping the Spiders make a playoff run and average 371.7 yards of offense a game. He led the way for a 1,595-yard rusher in Jacobi Green.
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