Involved in the Tyreek Hill and Amari Cooper trade talks, the Jets acquired neither. They have since been linked to D.K. Metcalf, having discussed the fourth-year wideout with the Seahawks. Those talks were not believed to have been substantial.
This points the Jets to a receiver in a draft featuring several ready-made contributors but one appearing to lack the top-end talent of last year’s class. It is not certain which of this year’s receiver crop will be the first to go off the board, but the Jets are believed to be interested in Alabama’s Jameson Williams, a source informed ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. While the Jets are continuing to monitor the potential availability of Metcalf and 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, Cimini notes, they will continue to be connected to using one of their first-round picks on this position.
The Jets-Williams connection comes shortly after a report indicating the Alabama receiver, despite the ACL tear he suffered in the national championship game, is moving toward being a top-10 pick. With linemen and defensive backs atop draft boards, it is possible the Jets would have their pick of the top wideout in this draft. The Jets hold the Nos. 4 and 10 picks in this year’s draft, and even taking their persistent receiver interest into account, it would surprise if the team used that No. 4 choice on one.
Williams’ tear is not likely to cost him much in this draft, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. noting a rise into the top 10 is not out of the question. The Jets have Corey Davis, the recently re-signed Braxton Berrios and second-rounders Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims. While Mims has not come especially close to justifying his draft slot, helping lead the team to this wideout-needy place, the Jets have some options at the position. They also have two picks atop the second round (Nos. 35 and 38, the latter coming via the Sam Darnold trade), should Joe Douglas and Co. opt to address other needs in Round 1. The Jets have not drafted a wideout in the first round since Santana Moss in 2001.
Prior to his knee injury, Williams broke through after transferring from Ohio State to Alabama. The 179-pound pass catcher posted a 79-catch, 1,572-yard, 15-touchdown season to help Bryce Young to the Heisman Trophy. Should he regain that form post-surgery, Williams would provide a tremendous speed injection to whichever offense he joins. ESPN gives he, ex-Buckeyes teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, and USC’s Drake London top-20 grades among this draft’s receiver class. The Jets have met with Wilson, Olave and London, Cimini adds.
If jets get KT and Jameson Williams at 4&10, get an A+ for round 1
Absolutely agree but they also need to hit on the second rounders as well.
I would love to see them trade both seconds for another top 20 pick.
What is it you’re so desperate to acquire third that you’re blindly excited to trade two top 40 picks for it? It’s a draft more deep in talent than strong in elite talent.
Trevor Penning
I’d be on board with that. I lean a bit toward Wilson and maybe London over Williams, but Williams certainly has the potential to be best of them.
Would be a terrible waste of his rookie contract. Hopefully he could eventually wind up with an NFL QB
Why would you use a top ten pick on a guy with a torn acl who had to transfer to Alabama because he couldn’t beat out the two guys from Ohio State who are also available? That makes absolutely no sense.
Techie, are you really that stupid? Opportunity is just as important as talent, and Jameson realized he needed to go elsewhere to get that opportunity. The fact that Jameson Williams totally outperformed both Wilson AND Olive this year shows he was right……and it wasn’t even close
And Aaron Rodgers, sat behind Brett Favre for 2 years too, opportunity makes a big difference.. but I guess you don’t understand that
The Jets opportunity for success will come when they find themselves in a division with the Giants, Lions and Jags.
Hey those are fightin’ words lol…Leave the Lions out of this.I think we been successful despite our record over those two teams.Trust me on this, those teams including ourselves need all the help we can get in acquiring players and picks.