2018 NFL Draft: New York Jets 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 5 – Pick 159
Jack Cichy, LB, Wisconsin
Coming off an ACL injury, Jack Cichy has not gotten the love he deserves from the NFL draft world. The Jets get a potential impact defensive player in the fifth round in this mock draft. Cichy tore his ACL prior to the 2017 season. On the field, when healthy, Cichy is a rangy linebacker who is solid against the run. During his time at Wisconsin he was extremely productive for one of the best defenses in the country.
If his medicals can check out, it would not shock me to see him rise up boards into the third or fourth round discussion. A solid combine would also do that for Cichy.
The Jets could use some impact players in their linebacking corps. Darron Lee has not been as productive as they had hoped after they spent a first round pick on him out of Ohio State in 2016. At worst Cichy can be an early down player in base defenses with potential to grow into a larger role.
Round 6 – Pick 182
Martez Carter, RB, Grambling
There is a chance the Jets use an earlyier pick on a running back. Should they wait until this point they could do much worst than Martez Carter out of Grambling. Despite playing for a small school in Grambling, Carter’s name is on the radar for most draft folks.
What he would bring to this offense is dynamic back into the rotation headed by Bilal Powell and any free agents the Jets bring in. He is adept at catching the ball out of the backfield. On tape he has shown excellent speed and shiftiness. Some are reminded of Tarik Cohen when discussing Carter.
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Round 7 – Pick 235
K.J. Malone, G, LSU
Adding a big strong guard is another need spot for the Jets. In the seventh round a prospect like K.J. Malone would be a wise choice. LSU is a running team first and foremost, and Malone was a big part of that prior to an injury derailing his season.
With clear medicals Malone would be a solid late round pick. If those medicals come up shaky than he is likely destined to be an undrafted free agent. As a player he lacks the elite strength or traits that would push him into the earlier round discussions. He is a fine player who could develop into more as he ages.