Jets Pick Three High-Upside Playmakers in Mel Kiper Jr.'s Latest Mock

The New York Jets pick BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, Northwestern CB Greg Newsome and Clemson RB Travis Etienne in this two-round mock draft from an insider

Max Goodman | Apr 13, 2021

We're just over two weeks away from this year's NFL draft, which means mock draft season is slowly drawing to a close.

Before New York is on the clock with the second pick at the end of this month, however, there's still some time to analyze what predictions the experts and insiders are making about this year's draft class.

We've followed along in previous mock drafts from Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN. This latest version may be the best haul he's given to the Jets yet.

Here are his three picks going to Gang Green (in a two-round mock) and brief explanations about each selection:

No. 2: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

I said last month that I was 50-50 on whether the Jets should keep Sam Darnold or take a quarterback here, and general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh made their decision last week. Darnold is off to Carolina, and so this pick is clearly going to be a quarterback. I have Ohio State's Justin Fields just ahead of Wilson in my rankings, but Wilson is the name I've consistently heard for New York. He can be a star with the right talent around him, but the Jets have to add another pass-catcher at some point, even after adding Corey Davis and Keelan Cole Sr. in free agency.

Mel Kiper Jr. Changes Stance on Jets' Quarterback Situation in Latest Mock Draft

No. 23: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

The Jets are a tough team to predict, and their defense could use an overhaul; you know new coach Robert Saleh wants a chance to reshape the side of the ball he coaches with a prime pick. Newsome has been a riser over the past month; his 2020 tape is phenomenal, and he had a great pro day workout. He fits well with what Saleh wants in his corners. Newsome is the last of four cornerbacks who I think are likely to go in Round 1.

No. 34: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

Etienne is a home run hitter and all-around back, and like Toney at No. 33, he'd help the rookie signal-caller. Etienne had 588 receiving yards last season. This finishes out the Jets' projected two-round class with a quarterback, cornerback and running back. Edge rusher is another possibility.

Wilson, Newsome and Etienne. Wilson is the kind of pick you can be using sharpie for on your draft boards, but adding a top corner and top running back would be an incredible return for general manager Joe Douglas and this Jets coaching staff.

The only downside in those two picks is that New York still isn't addressing the offensive line. Then again, when you have each of those two high-upside prospects available, it's hard not to pull the trigger.

MORE ON ETIENNE AND NEWSOME:

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Published Apr 13, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.