It’s never too early to start talking about the draft in April. As many of us know, the NFL Draft has become a 365-day cycle. Folks are out scouting almost every day. As soon as one draft ends, the work for the next one begins.
The fine folks over at The Athletic, Nate Baumgardner and Nate Tice, had some fun with a fresh mock draft. And the Jets landed the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Now before you freak out, the order was simply based off the projected wins totals of The Athletic’s Austin Mock’s betting model. The Jets came in with the lowest win total from the model at just 4.7, thus giving them the top pick in this mock draft.
However, the consolation prize? Landing a freak edge defender in Alabama’s Will Anderson.
Obviously, Jets coach Robert Saleh would rather not be picking No. 1 overall after his second season in New York. But Anderson would be a fine anesthetic. The Jets have added premium talent on both sides of the ball over the last two draft cycles, including two first-round defenders this spring: Ahmad Gardner and Jermaine Johnson. Johnson is likely going to be more valuable in the NFL versus the run than as a pass rusher, though it appears New York’s plan with him is to take things slowly. Gardner, meanwhile, looks incredibly comfortable already.
If Saleh can pair his possible star corner with Anderson, a legit star playmaker in the front seven, then the Jets shouldn’t be picking in the top five come 2024. — Nick Baumgardner
Anderson is an absolute stud. At 6-4, 245, Anderson has the makings of the next great NFL edge-rusher. Remember, this guy had 31 tackles for a loss last season with 17.5 sacks. In two seasons at Alabama, he has totaled 41.5 tackles for a loss and 24.5 sacks. And he’s only going to get better.
It likely won’t happen, as the Jets should win enough games this season to keep them out of contention for the No. 1 pick, but just imagine Anderson with Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers. What a group that would be.
