NFL Combine: Three Targets to Target for the Jets

The Jets could be in the market for another wide receiver during the early rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In today’s pass-happy National Football League, no team can have enough reliable pass-catchers.

It seems as if Jets’ general Manager Joe Douglas follows that train of thinking as well.

Douglas spent the No. 10 overall pick on Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson last spring.

In what was Douglas’ third Draft at the helm, Gang Green used a top-60 selection on a receiver for the third year in a row. One year earlier, the Jets nabbed the speedy Elijah Moore with the second selection in Round 2. In 2020, Douglas and Co. selected Denzel Mims in Round 2 at No. 59 overall.

Moore and Mims have yet to live up to their Draft status, but one shouldn’t fault Douglas for putting a high value on the receiver position.

All three of the aforementioned receivers who were drafted during Douglas’ tenure possess one obviously common trait – speed.

Wilson, Moore and Mims all recorded sub-4.4 times in the 40-yard dash.

I’ve identified three wide receiver prospects who showed speed at the NFL Combine on Saturday and could fit into the Jets’ plans at the 2023 NFL Draft.

Zay Flowers, Boston College

Combine 40 time: 4.42

Flowers stands a shade over 5’9,” but his elite athleticism and body control make up for any lack of height. The native Floridian spent four productive seasons at Boston College.

The three-time All-ACC honoree made 78 catches for 1,077 yards and a single-season program-record 12 touchdown receptions in 2022. Flowers, who clocked in at 4.42 in the 40-yard dash, looked especially impressive during the gauntlet drill during Saturday’s on-field workouts at the NFL Combine.

.@ZayFlowers with a smooth gauntlet drill.

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/iyNTn96xX4

— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023

Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia

Combine 40 time: 4.38

Ford-Wheaton saw plenty of action during his West Virginia tenure, making 46 appearances including 32 starts. The nearly 6-foot-4 pass-catcher led the Mountaineers in receptions (62) and receiving touchdowns (7) during the 2022 campaign.

Ford-Wheaton wowed at the NFL Combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38s and recorded a 41” vertical jump. Those marks ranked second and first, respectively, amongst the wide receiver participants.

West Virginia WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton has a similar size and athleticism profile to DK Metcalf.

Ford-Wheaton and Metcalf are the only players at their position to weigh at least 220 lbs, jump more than 40" in the vertical, and run a sub-4.40 40 at the combine since 2003. pic.twitter.com/nk93gZQFqv

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 4, 2023

Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee

Combine 40 time: 4.40

Hyatt erupted in 2022, putting together what is arguably the best season by a wide receiver in Tennessee’s history. He became the first Vol to capture the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to college football's most outstanding receiver regardless of position. The 6-foot Hyatt averaged 18.9 yards per reception and made a program-record 12 touchdown grabs over 12 starts.

After averaging 105.6 receiving yards per game for the Vols last fall, Hyatt recorded some eye-popping numbers at the NFL Combine. His vertical jump reached 40” and he registered an 11’3” broad jump. The NFL’s @NexGenStats awarded Hyatt a top-five “athleticism” score (89) amongst participating wide receivers.

🔥🔥 Official 4️⃣.4️⃣0️⃣ for @jalinhyatt

📺 #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/RClrmEbAEX

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 4, 2023

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