The Jets gave up their 2019 Second round pick in the Sam Darnold trade. How did they do with limited capital?
Round 3:
Pick 68 – Original Pick:EDGE – Jachai Polite
New Pick: Receiver – Terry McLaurin
I’m sorry New York. I really am. The Florida Gators’ pass- rusher, Jachai Polite, had the potential to be the steal of the draft in 2019. Instead, he ended up being one of the weirdest draft stories in recent memory. Throughout much of the draft process, Jachai Polite found himself in the first round of seemingly every mock draft. The fall from grace started at the NFL combine. Polite bombed his interviews, and even told the media that teams were “bashing” him. He followed up this debacle by pulling out of the workouts after suffering an injury.
Polite was very much worth taking in the third round because he was pegged as someone with first round talent. New York took a chance on him to help bolster a front seven that had recently acquired C.J. Mosley and first round pick Quinnen Williams. Polite’s demeanor and work ethic carried over from the combine to training camp. After fining Polite over $100,000 for numerous infractions, the Jets cut him on September 1st. Polite’s Jet career lasted roughly four months.
With the 68th pick, New York could have selected a speedster from Ohio State named Terry McLaurin. The young receiver went eight picks after the Jets, to the Washington Redskins. McLaurin finished his rookie campaign with 919 yards and seven touchdowns. For reference, no one on New York’s roster had more yards, or touchdowns, than the one Redskins fans call “Scary Terry”. Perhaps a young receiver to pair with Darnold and Bell would leave Jets fans more optimistic for what the future holds in New York.
More from New York Jets
- The New York Jets should want to do Hard Knocks
- 2023 NFL Season: Day 2 rookies on offense poised to start
- 2023 NFL Season: Ranking the 32 starting quarterbacks
- 2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions
- 2023 NFL Season: Jets to become this year’s 2022 Broncos?
Pick 92 – Original Pick: OT – Chuma Edoga
New Pick: Chauncy Gardner-Johnson
The Jets got a second swing of the bat towards the end of the third round. They used this pick to select USC’s Chuma Edoga, an offensive tackle, and former teammate of Sam Darnold. Edoga was seen as someone with raw potential. The Jets drafted him to be a depth piece and developmental prospect, as they already had their starters set at offensive tackle with Kelvin Beachum, and Brandon Shell (Yes, I’m serious).
Edoga began the season as a backup, and was later thrusted into a starting role. Edoga started games at both tackle spots before landing on injured reserve. Edoga allowed seven sacks in his eight starts. However, the Jets seem to be fine with that as they’ve guaranteed him a starting job in 2020.
The player the Jets could have taken is Florida safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Johnson was a solid rookie for the Saints who made contributions on both special teams and defense. The Jets were in talks to move their superstar safety, Jamal Adams, earlier this season. Having Gardner-Johnson already on the team would have made the transition easier, and would have given the Jets even more incentive to move Adams for an absolute ransom.