New GM Vague About Jets Draft Process, As Expected

A Final Guess At A Jets Mock Draft

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Darren Mougey briefly spoke with the media on Monday, three days before he will orchestrate his first NFL Draft as the new Jets General Manager.

The news that was elicited could probably fit on a post-it note.

No comments on the Aaron Rodgers response to his release, the possibility of signing Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson to extensions (though Mougey did indicate the Jets will exercise their fifth-year options), and certainly nothing about his intentions for Thursday’s first round.

That’s absolutely normal at this time of year, as league executives hold onto their process like they’re State secrets. Mougey wasn’t going to tease who the Jets like at No. 7 overall or even which side of the ball he would prioritize. He said he was open to trading up or down but is eager to make the pick if the right deal doesn’t emerge. He looks at everything when setting his board—film, measurements, analytics, medical history, legal background checks, character references, etc. What wins out in the end? We have no clue.

I would have asked some more pointed questions as to his feelings about positional value—taking a tight end like Penn State’s Tyler Warren, for instance, is not the wisest maneuver from a long-term financial overview—and trades. Mougey’s predecessor Joe Douglas was a wheeler-and-dealer, but for the wrong reasons. He’d irrationally fall in love with prospects, forfeiting picks when a viable alternative ended up being available at the original slot. Then Douglas would constantly trade down at the end of Drafts to recoup some picks, though they never yielded a lasting pro.

Since Mougey is an open book at this point, expect a lot of what you read about what the Jets are thinking to be wrong. That hasn’t stopped the experts (and me) from making predictions. Here then, is my final Mock Draft for the Jets, using the ProFootballNetwork.com, ProFootballFocus.com, and NFLMockDraftDatabase.com simulators and assuming no trades:

Round 1 (No. 7 overall): Armand Membou, Missouri tackle

I’ve been consistent with this pick only because Membou keeps appearing on the board in two of the three simulators. He’s a natural right tackle who kept his quarterback clean throughout the 2024 season. And he’s only 21. As Jets X Factor noted, Warren is nearly two years older and only began to stand out in college last season, which should be additional red flag beyond the positional value. If Membou is indeed available, don’t overthink it.

Round 2 (No. 42 overall): Jayden Higgins, Iowa State wide receiver

I was seriously considering making a switch to Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, who is rated as one of the best run-stoppers in the Class, but the NFL is an offense first league, so adding a receiver who can settle in the middle of the field and make contested catches for new QB Justin Fields has to be the priority. Per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Higgins never dropped a pass on 117 targets that went 10 yards or more downfield at Iowa State. Take that, Allen Lazard.

Round 3 (No. 73 overall): Jack Sawyer, Ohio State edge rusher

I had to pivot away from the past mocks when my tight ends (Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. and Miami’s Elijah Arroyo) and defensive tackles (Texas’ Alfred Collins and South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders) were all gone by No. 73 in two of the three simulations. That sent me looking for value and my search landed on Sawyer, who is a little old for my taste at 23 and has questions about his arm length and bend, But The Athletic gave him a second-round grade while comparing him to Kansas City’s George Karlaftis. I recall the 2022 scouting reports dinging Karlaftis for this or that deficiency, and he has 24.5 sacks in three pro seasons. Sometimes, a kid can just play.

Round 4 (No. 110 overall): Jonas Sanker, Virginia safety

No need to deviate from my last mock. Sanker appears to be the ideal third safety who can contribute right away on special teams. Think a little less athletic but better tackling Ashtyn Davis.

Round 5 (No. 145 overall): Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech wide receiver

The Jets are a misnomer—they are generally a slow team. Lane can help with that, as he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Even if his development into the starting offense takes a little time, he was one of the nation’s top punt returners last season.

Round 5 (No. 162 overall): Kyle McCord, Syracuse QB

Nobody seems to know what’s going on with Jordan Travis, Gang Green’s 2024 fifth-round pick who basically redshirted last season while attempting to rehab from a horrific leg injury he suffered while at Florida State. There is nothing wrong with a little competition to see who gets to hold the clipboard this season. McCord, though immobile, might end up being further along in terms of knowing how to play the position.

Round 6 (No. 186 overall): Ty Hamilton, Ohio State defensive tackle

Panning for nuggets here, I came across a lineman who graded highly when defending the run, even if it was just to engage blockers to allow the linebackers to make the plays. Hamilton isn’t going to give you pass rush push, but the Jets need bodies up front for their early-downs rotation.

Round 6 (No. 207 overall): C.J. Dippre, Alabama tight end

The Jets could use a tight end who is a threat downfield in the passing game. Dippre isn’t him, but he has the resume to compete with Jeremy Ruckert for the dirtier parts of the job. It’s possible the Jets will peruse the undrafted free agent class for a blocking tight end, but this wouldn’t be a reach according to the consensus rankings.