The race for the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has begun just four weeks into the season. No team has been officially eliminated from the 2020 NFL Playoffs but several teams are likely out. The New York Jets, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons are teams looking into the scenario of dealing with the large amount of work in the off-season. Atlanta has their main issue of rebuilding their culture with a new head coach and attitude. The Giants need help at certain positions as well as key players they need to get healthy. The Jets are among the worst NFL teams in the league where they have so many challenges to address. They’re in line to acquire the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft but they should not use it to select Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence. What are the New York Jets options heading into next year’s draft?
New York Jets Options With the 2021 Number One Overall Pick
The Jets have many areas to address to make themselves a relevant team in the league. Their performance over the past three years has caused their quarterback Sam Darnold to regress. The main problem with the Jets offense is that it ranks 31st in the league in points per game (16.3) and 31st in total yards per game (27.8). This will ultimately lead to the dismissal of head coach Adam Gase from the team. The offensive line cannot keep the pocket clean and they do not have a true number one wide receiver. Even if they were to get Lawrence with the first overall pick, the lack of an offensive line and young receivers would cause him to not be the efficient playmaker at quarterback for New York as he is for Clemson. There are more sufficient options for the Jets to make with their first overall than to replace their reliable quarterback in Darnold.
Draft the Best Tackle Prospects Since 1997
Lawrence is destined to be the first overall pick in the 2021 draft. His talent transcends beyond Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018) when they were drafted first overall. The only relevant offensive player for the Jets is Darnold, who was the third overall pick in the 2018 draft. In four games this season, the Jets have allowed 12 sacks and 30 quarterback hits. The offensive line has been one of the most unreliable units on the team. The Jets drafted Mekhi Becton 11th overall in the 2020 draft and has played well, but they need more. They have a chance to draft one of the best tackle prospects since Orlando Pace in the 1997 Draft. Penei Sewell from the Oregon Ducks was the Outland Award winner and a unanimous All-American last season. He accounted for an overall grade of 95.8 by Pro Football Focus.
He is one of the most well-balanced and dominant tackles going into the NFL Draft in decades. Sewell has been graded 90.7 in pass-protection and 95.7 in run-blocking by Pro Football Focus. Drafting him with the first overall pick would make him the fourth tackle selected first overall since 1997. The last tackle drafted first overall was Eric Fisher to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Jets would then have two reliable tackles starting for them and they would finally give Darnold time to develop a play. His impact in the running game would help the Jets as they are currently ranked 27th in the league in rushing yards per game (98.5). Sewell’s dominance would give the Jets much more impact with Darnold at quarterback than Lawrence without a solid line.
Trade the Top Pick to Atlanta or Minnesota
Darnold hasn’t been given enough time to develop as the franchise quarterback. There are plenty of Jets fans who understand the problem with the offense is not Lawrence. There is too much of a mess on both offense and defense for a once in a generation talent like Lawrence to expect to fix in his first year with the Jets. One of the most sufficient actions for the Jets to take to potentially trade the first overall pick. They would have to trade it to a team that is willing to give up nearly their franchise for a player like Lawrence. For the Jets to benefit from the trading of their number one pick, they would need to be close to the top-five range where they could draft a top-five to top-10 talent in the 2021 Draft. They would also need to receive some starters from the team trading for the top pick.
If Atlanta is looking to move on from Matt Ryan, they could trade for Lawrence to be their new starter. Atlanta would trade their 2021 first-round pick, their second round, and their 2022 NFL first-round pick. They would also have to trade starting talent like tight end Hayden Hurst and guard Chris Lindstrom to the Jets. The Minnesota Vikings could also be in play for the first overall pick for Lawrence to potentially replace Kirk Cousins. They could trade for tight end Kyle Rudolph or tackle Riley Reiff. Trading for multiple first-round picks and some potential starters on offense would be enough value for the Jets to not get Lawrence.
Draft Lawrence, Trade Darnold
If the Jets decide to draft Lawrence based on his overall talent, there would be no need for Darnold. They could trade Darnold to a team like Minnesota or Atlanta for some value. Darnold’s value is far less than the value of Lawrence. The Jets would likely trade for a second-round pick and potentially a third or fourth. There will be plenty of talent still available in the second for the Jets to upgrade their lackluster offense. Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi or Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore could be potentially available with one of their second-round picks. This is an action that the Jets are likely to take if they feel inclined enough to take one of the best quarterback prospects since Andrew Luck.
