Dante Moore is Staying at Oregon, What Could the Jets' First Two Rounds of the NFL Draft Look Like Now?

Dante Moore seemed to be the consensus No. 2 QB in this year’s draft, but after deciding to stay in college for one more season, where do the Jets pivot now? Nobody would’ve faulted the Jets for taking Moore with the second pick, but now, without an obvious QB option, they will have a plethora of viable options to choose from. Here’s my realistic two-round mock draft that should put a smile on every Jets fan's face. 

Round 1, Pick 2: Miami EDGE Reuben Bain Jr. 

The Jets selecting Reuben Bain Jr. would show that GM Darren Mougey is ready to overhaul this defensive line. Over the past two years, the Jets have struggled to get any pressure on the quarterback, averaging a little over six pressures a game, while the past seven Super Bowl champions have averaged over nine. Bain tallied eight and a half sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, and 72 pressures this season, leading his Miami Hurricanes to the National Championship game. If the Jets want to get back to having an elite defense like they did under HC Robert Saleh, it starts with taking Bain with their second pick. Adding a player of Bain’s caliber to the roster would not only strengthen the defensive line, but the entire Jets’ defense, which was abysmal in HC Aaron Glenn’s first season. 

Round 1, Pick 16: Florida DT Caleb Banks

The 6’6 330-pound Detroit native will sure up the Jets run defense, while allowing their playmakers on the edge, Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson II, to wreak havoc on opposing teams QB’s. Over the past two years, the Jets have had one of the worst run defenses in the league, allowing 2,020 yards per season. Adding a player of Banks’ caliber along with the addition of Reuben Bain Jr, would put to rest any questions about this Jets defensive line. 

Although some critics of Banks may point out that he missed a majority of the season due to a broken foot, his ability to work back from surgery and rehab to play the final two games of the season shows the type of character he has. This pick should be a no-brainer for the Jets. 

Round 2, Pick 33: Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt

The Jets need a No. 2 WR to pair across from Garrett Wilson, and there is arguably no one better to fit that role than Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt. This season, the Jets were towards the bottom of the NFL in drop percentage (6.1%) and air yards per attempt (2.9), adding a receiver like Sarratt would fix those problems overnight.

Throughout his four-year collegiate career, Sarratt dropped just nine passes, which averages out to less than a three percent drop rate. The 6’2 Senior is also known for his ability to get open down the field and make tough catches, two things that the Jets have been sorely lacking from their offense. Although Sarratt may not be the most talented receiver in this class, he is everything the Jets need to go alongside Garrett Wilson. 

Round 2, Pick 44: San Diego State CB Chris Johnson

This might be the most important piece of the puzzle for the Jets, especially after trading away CB Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts midseason. The Jets have struggled immensely as a pass defense over the past two years, allowing an average passer rating of 100 and only tallying 3.5 interceptions per season. The past seven Super Bowl winners have allowed an average passer rating of 86, while snagging 14 picks per season. Chris Johnson would step in and immediately make the Jets pass defense better with his size and athleticism, along with his ball hawking ability. Johnson tallied four more interceptions this past season than the entire Jets defense, who put up a goose egg when it came to turning opposing QB’s over. 

Although Johnson didn’t face the stiffest competition playing in the Mountain West Conference, his skill set is more than good enough to help revamp the Jets lousy secondary.