It’s hard to find fault with the Jets’ top pick – Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was regarded by some as the best overall talent in the 2019 class and the Jets’ decision to forgo an edge rusher to pounce on him at No. 3 overall makes plenty of sense. After that, however, things get a little bit murky. 
The Jets were already behind the 8-ball in this year’s draft thanks to last year’s move up for Sam Darnold. In order to jump from No. 6 to No. 3 last year, Gang Green forfeited their 2019 second-round pick (No. 34 overall) to the Colts (and then some), meaning that their second pick in this year’s draft did not come until the third round at No. 68 overall.
Here, they took Florida linebacker Jachai Polite, a player who once had first round buzz but slipped after bombing at the combine. Polite also dropped like a stone thanks to rumblings about his work ethic and unwillingness to do what was asked of him by coaches, but GM Mike Maccagnan seems to think that he can get more out of him.
“We know some of the risk in him,” Maccagnan said of Polite after the draft. “We also think there are some very good qualities about him.”
From there, the Jets used their remaining selections on USC tackle Chuma Edoga, West Virginia tight end Trevon Wesco, Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman, and Rutgers cornerback Blessuan Austin. Edoga – who served as one of Sam Darnold‘s primary protectors – has some NFL potential, but did not fill the Jets’ need for a center. Cashman offers the kind of hard-nosed playing style that coaches love, but it’s hard to get juiced about a player who is one year removed from double shoulder surgeries. Ditto for Austin, a corner with great size and tools who has not played much over the last two years thanks to knee injuries. Wesco, meanwhile, is a quality blocking tight end, but the Jets probably would have been better served by tapping a developmental wide receiver here.
How would you grade the Jets’ draft? Click below to cast your vote (link for app users):
I really don’t know why teams insist on having a franchise QB, then go out of their way not to get them help. They should have traded back and got an elite OT or the NCS center. Something other than a DT. One RB is not going to boost the Jets into a top 7 offensive team.
they would have traded back if they got any kind of reasonable offer, but because the QB class was so poor, nobody made them such an offer…
The depth of the draft on defense didn’t help any trade scenarios, either.
Yeah, I don’t think that a lack of a trade back was because a lack of trying. The Jets made it known that they were “open for business” and really wanted to trade back. But this particular draft wasn’t a very good draft to capitalize on that. Besides the lack of elite QB’s, there were maybe 5 players that were truly elite in this draft. So if they moved back more than a few slots, they wouldn’t get the same caliber of player. I think the other issue was last year’s trade where they moved up to Pick 3. It wouldn’t be a good look if the return was a lot less than what they gave up last year.
I gave it a B.
They didnt trade back, but the market for a good trade probably wasnt there. Quinnen Williams was a good pick a 3. I like the edge guy and they did get an eventual replacement for Beachum on the oline. Felt that they needed to grab a center and if iirc McGovern was still on the board by the time they drafted that blocking TE in the 4th.
I like the players they got but there were bigger needs that werent really addressed. Oline is still shoddy and im not sure that 6th round corner is going to be much help to a team that really needs CBs
C Michael Jordan was still there when they picked Wesco. I didn’t understand why they passed over him.
B because of their to pick. The rest of the picks are eh…