Never mind which player the New York Jets will target with their first-round pick — what position will they target? It seems that each mock draft has a different idea.
However, a recent NFL.com mock draft from Bucky Brooks echoed an earlier one from ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. Brooks projected the Jets to select Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams at No. 7 overall.
Brooks wrote, “Aaron Glenn understands and appreciates the value of a disruptive defensive front. Adding Williams to the mix would give the Jets another dynamic pass rusher and enable them to move on from the Haason Reddick debacle.”
The fact that edge rusher is under discussion as a key Jets need represents a colossal failure on the part of previous general manager Joe Douglas. At this time in the 2024 offseason — just before free agency — the Jets’ edge rusher room included John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Bryce Huff, and Will McDonald.
Now, the Jets’ edge room is very thin beyond Johnson and McDonald. Despite having been first-round picks, both players face questions of their own — Johnson for his performance post-Achilles tear, and McDonald for his putrid run defense and lack of staying power as the season progressed.
Facing the prospect of drafting an edge rusher in the first round for the third time in four years is not where the Jets want to be. Given the previous capital they invested in the position, it seems unlikely that they would prioritize edge rusher over defensive tackle, where they have only one rosterable NFL player (Quinnen Williams).
As for the player himself, Mykel Williams will not turn 21 until June. He is 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds and is considered a superior run defender. However, his pass rush production was not there in college, as he produced just 14 sacks in three college seasons with a season-high of five.
Williams is not an unrealistic mock draft pick. The Jets need more strength and stoutness against the run at all levels of their defense. However, given the myriad holes on their roster, there are many different justifiable directions they could choose to go in, at least pending free agency.
General manager Darren Mougey also hasn’t ruled out the possibility of trading up from No. 7 overall, which would throw a wrench into any non-quarterback mock pick.
Expect more variation in the Jets’ mock drafts to continue all the way up to the draft, or at least up until a potential trade up.
