Jets could be looking to draft a receiver with No. 10 pick
Garrett Wilson runs a drill during Ohio State Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Credit: AP/Paul Vernon
Making sure that Zach Wilson has everything he needs to be successful is a priority for the Jets. They may give him a new receiver Thursday night.
The Jets own the fourth and 10th overall picks in the NFL Draft. If they take a defensive player at four — cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeux and Jermaine Johnson II are possibilities — the Jets may add a weapon with the 10th pick to help their second-year quarterback.
Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, USC’s Drake London and Alabama’s Jameson Williams are considered the top three wideouts in this draft and have No. 1 receiver potential.
“It’s going to be about developing and helping our young quarterback.” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said last week.
The ideal situation for the Jets would be acquiring Deebo Samuel, who has requested a trade from the 49ers. Many of the Jets’ coaches come from San Francisco. They run the same offense so Samuel would fit perfectly, help fast-track Wilson and open up coordinator Mike LaFleur’s offense.
Niners GM John Lynch said he “can’t envision a scenario where we would [trade Samuel].” Lynch may have to receive “The Godfather” offer — one he can’t refuse. The Jets may have to part with the No. 10 pick to entice San Francisco to deal Samuel.
“If the right opportunity presents itself to make this roster better, we’re going to attack it and be aggressive,” Douglas said.
Douglas proved that by going all-in for dynamic receiver Tyreek Hill. Kansas City agreed to trade Hill to the Jets for picks 35, 38 and 69. Hill wouldn’t sign a long-term extension with the Jets and was dealt to the Dolphins instead.
The Jets want an established No. 1 receiver to add to a room that includes Corey Davis, last year’s second-round pick Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios. If they can’t get one, this draft features some talented receivers who could grow into a No. 1.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he “would be surprised” if the Jets didn’t take Wilson, London or Williams at 10 to give Wilson another playmaker and help him grow.
Wilson is arguably the best receiver in this draft. Wilson to Wilson has a nice ring to it.
Garrett Wilson caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He is very good at getting yards after the catch, making him a good fit for LaFleur’s scheme.
London’s size, strength and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect. He’s 6-5 and was on the USC basketball team, appearing in two games as a sophomore. His physical style and ability to make catches in traffic have drawn comparisons to Chargers’ receiver Mike Williams.
Last season, London caught 88 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games. He fractured his ankle in October. London held a Pro Day, but he opted not to do any speed tests. That shouldn’t scare off the Jets. If he’s there at 10, London might be too good to pass up.
“You just make the assessment based off what you’ve seen off tape and that projection,” Jets assistant general manager Rex Hogan said. “Overall, the receiver group as a whole, there’s a lot of parity at the top of the draft and throughout the draft.”
Williams had the best season of the three, but he tore his ACL in Alabama’s loss to Georgia in the Jan. 10 National Championship. He had 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns in his only season with the Crimson Tide after transferring from Ohio State. At OSU he played behind Wilson and Chris Olave, another receiver expected to be taken in the first round.
The Jets may not want to take a chance on Williams and having to wait for him to fully recover. Williams posted a video a few days ago of him doing some on-field drills, but he may start the season on the PUP list.
“We feel very fortunate to have the receivers we have in that room,” Douglas said. “Like any other position, if there’s opportunity to add quality players, quality depth, we’re going to do it.”
Bilal Powell retires
Running back Bilal Powell signed a one-day contract on Tuesday and retired as a Jet. A fourth-round pick in 2011, Powell played all nine of his NFL seasons with the Jets and last appeared in a game in 2019. He rushed 850 times for 3,675 yards and 15 touchdowns. Powell ranks eighth on the Jets’ all-time rushing list.
Potential draft targets at wide receiver
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State: A great athlete who plays bigger than his size (6-foot, 183). Wilson is a good route runner with great leaping ability and is very good at making defenders miss. Getting yards after the catch is a strength.
Drake London, USC: Big (6-5), strong, physical receiver who can play outside or in the slot. He has a tremendous catch radius and uses his body well on contested throws. His basketball background helps him go up and get the football in traffic.
Jameson Williams, Alabama: After catching 15 passes in two seasons at Ohio State, Williams transferred to Alabama and blew up in his junior season: 79 receptions, 1,572 yards, 15 touchdowns. A deep threat with great speed, but he’s recovering from a torn ACL suffered in January.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
