Jets need to use NFL Draft to assemble an offensive supporting cast for Zach Wilson
USC guard Alijah Vera-Tucker participates in the school's Pro Day on March 24 in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
The Jets plan to draft a young quarterback on Thursday who they believe has all the tools to be successful. But as Sam Darnold proved, you also need help.
Darnold never came close to reaching his potential with the Jets, partially because they didn’t surround him with the right pieces. If they take Zach Wilson, they can’t make that mistake again.
The Jets are expected to draft the BYU quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. They currently have nine other selections during the three-day draft, and one expert believes they should spend the first couple of days getting their new quarterback as much help as possible.
"This whole draft would be about Zach Wilson for me — at least early on," NFL Network analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah said. "[I’d say], ‘We’re going to devote as many resources as we can and give him the opportunity that Sam didn’t have and just have good people in front of him and a lot of options of where to go with the football."
After taking Darnold third overall three years ago, the Jets inexplicably drafted only one offensive lineman, tackle Chuma Edoga, and no receivers with their next 11 picks in 2018 and 2019. This was an egregious error by former general manager Mike Maccagnan that current GM Joe Douglas won’t repeat.
Last year, Douglas’ focus in free agency and the draft was building around Darnold. He drafted left tackle Mekhi Becton in the first round and receiver Denzel Mims in the second. Some of Douglas’ free-agent pickups didn’t pan out as he hoped, though, and Darnold was traded to Carolina three weeks ago.
Douglas, who worked with Jeremiah in the Ravens’ scouting department, knows he has to give his new quarterback as much support as possible. He said there’s a balance between picking the best player on his board and the best player for the young quarterback. Douglas will try to do both.
"You’re trying to build the best team that you can possibly build," he said. "There also is an importance to really doing everything we can to provide what we can to make a young quarterback successful. There is some balancing that goes into that."
Cornerback and edge rusher are needs for the Jets, but they also have to bolster their offensive line and strengthen the receiving corps and running backs.
The Jets have the No. 23 pick in the first round, No. 34 in the second and Nos. 66 and 86 in the third. Barring a trade, it would be surprising if Douglas, a former offensive lineman, didn’t select an offensive lineman with either 23 or 34.
The offensive line didn’t protect Darnold well or open up enough holes for the running backs. New offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is bringing a wide-zone scheme from San Francisco in which the running back is used far more than in former coach Adam Gase’s system, so it’s imperative that the Jets have a good offensive line.
Becton is the lone keeper on the line, and the Jets are looking to improve the interior. If USC guard Alijah Vera-Tucker fell to them, he would be hard to pass up. They also could pick a tackle to play opposite Becton for years, with Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw and Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins as possibilities.
"You look at 23 offensive line-wise, if somehow Tucker were to get there, that’s the home run of all home run picks," Jeremiah said. "They got a bunch of different ways you can go."
Douglas signed receivers Corey Davis and Keelan Cole and former 49ers running back Tevin Coleman in free agency, but the Jets can add more weapons at both positions to give their new quarterback a better chance to succeed than Darnold had. Clemson running back Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris could be available at 23.
"Part of helping the quarterback is having a great team around him, not just specifically on the offensive side of the ball," Douglas said. "At the end of the day, we’re sitting here with a lot of picks. We have a lot of options, a lot of flexibility. We’re in good position to take the best player available and take players who can come in here and help this team."
Offensive lineman the Jets could target in the NFL Draft:
Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC: He played left guard and tackle at USC, but projects as a guard. The Jets want to improve the interior of the line and could grab Vera-Tucker if he’s available at 23.
Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech: One of this draft’s top tackles. Darrisaw likely would move to right tackle and be the bookend with last year’s first-round pick, left tackle Mekhi Becton.
Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State: Jenkins has played everywhere on the line except center. He saw the most time at right tackle, but his versatility is appealing.
Landon Dickerson, Alabama: He has played guard and center, and anchored the country’s best offensive line last year. But he’s returning from a torn ACL in December.
Wyatt Davis, Ohio State: A two-year starter and two-time All-American at right guard would fill a need.
