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2020 NFL Draft: 5 players Jets could take in Round 1

By Mike Phillips

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: General manager Joe Douglas of the New York Jets speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Joe Douglas
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: General manager Joe Douglas of the New York Jets speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Joe Douglas /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 13: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

4. Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons

The Jets will most likely be going offense with their first pick, but that could change if Isaiah Simmons falls to them at No. 11. Clemson’s star linebacker wowed scouts at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds as well as performing an 11-foot broad jump and 39-foot vertical leap.

That kind of athleticism is rare, but Simmons isn’t only a workout warrior. Simmons was a standout performer for the Tigers last season, racking up 93 tackles, six sacks, and two interceptions as he made plays all over the field.

The Jets could use impact players on their defense, which is good but doesn’t have truly great talents outside of Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley. Simmons could help solve the Jets’ edge-rushing problem and the converted safety would be a matchup nightmare in Gregg Williams’ scheme.

Most mock drafts have Simmons going in the top five, but that could change if there is a run on quarterbacks and offensive linemen. At least three teams should be looking at quarterbacks in the top 10, while the lack of quality offensive line help could make four tackles a possibility that high as well.

If you add in top-10 locks like Chase Young and Jeff Okudah that could bump Simmons all the way down to 10, where he would be within one pick of Douglas and the Jets. Douglas learned under Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore to take the best player available in the draft and Simmons would be the highest-rated option on the Jets’ board in this scenario.

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