The New York Jets finally address their defense, adding Auburn safety Jamien Sherwood in the early fifth round.
After using each of their first four draft selections on offensive players, the New York Jets have given Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich their first homegrown defensive piece, selecting Auburn safety Jamien Sherwood with the 146th overall pick in the fifth round.
Coming out of Auburn as a pure junior, the Jensen Beach, Florida native is a jack-of-all-trades who has the potential to play WILL linebacker for the Jets.
Jamien Sherwood snap distribution in 2020 #Jets
ILB: 28.0%
FS: 27.8%
Slot CB: 20.2%
SS: 16.7%
OLB: 6.2%
Outside CB: 1.0%— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) May 1, 2021
Sherwood lined up everywhere for the Tigers defense, most commonly appearing at inside linebacker but frequently lining up at free safety, slot cornerback, and strong safety.
Standing at 6′ 1¾” and 216 pounds, Sherwood has a tweener safety/WILL linebacker frame. He is loaded with length, possessing an 81.8-inch wingspan (97th percentile among safeties), but his performance in agility and speed drills at his pro day was disappointing. Sherwood ran a 4.76 in the forty (5th percentile among S), a 4.36 in the 20-yard shuttle (16th percentile), and a 7.15 in the three-cone (20th percentile). Lacking the ideal athleticism to play safety, his future might have to be at linebacker.
The Jets were on the clock to pick at No. 143 overall in the fourth round, but they orchestrated a trade-down with the Las Vegas Raiders. Las Vegas moved up to the Jets’ spot at No. 143, sending over the 162nd and 200th overall picks in exchange.
New York’s next pick comes at No. 154 overall.
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