With a bye this week, Jet fans had a chance to watch real NFL football. As good as the Jets played for three and a half quarters against the New England Patriots, they remain winless at 0-9. The “Tank for Trevor” narrative seems to be what Jet fans are clamoring for. Don’t be shocked if they squeeze out one or two wins which might take them out of the top two draft picks. My reasons for this is the way Joe Douglas’s draft class is slowly showing some pulse. With the season just half over here are my grades for the Jets 2020 draft class and un-drafted free agents.

Round 1-Mekhi Becton, OT, Grade B+

I love the way this guy plays. But unlike most Jet fans I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid yet. He is playing great but has been off the field too much for me. If he returns after the bye week and is able to play the remaining seven games, I’ll be sold. Durability scores points for me. Jet fans remember D’Brickashaw Ferguson. He played from 2006-15 and never missed a snap due to injury. He played 10,351 snaps, just missing one when Eric Mangini took him out for a trick play.

Round 2-Denzel Mims, WR, Grade B

Mims has been on the field for only three games. And in those games he has not caught a pass in the second half. But watching Mims, this guy is oozing with talent. In the small sample size he has been impressive. He reminds me a little of Al Toon with his quick moves in a confined area. I see Mims as a potential #1 receiver. I want to see him targeted more the rest of the season.

Round 3-Ashtyn Davis,S, Grade B-

In all fairness to Davis it is tough to grade him in a little more than two games. When safety Bradley McDougald got hurt, Davis was forced into action. His first game was not good but that was against the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs. In his second game against the Patriots, Davis showed tremendous improvement. His speed is impressive as well as the way he closes on plays and is able to defend passes. He looks like a combination of being a smart player who may also be a fierce tackler.

Round 3-Jabari Zuniga, Edge, Grade Incomplete

His first game was against the Patriots and he just has not played enough to give a fair grade.

Round 4-Lamical Perrine, RB, Grade C

I’m one of the few Jet fans who is disappointed in Perrine. Except for a few pass receptions and picking up a couple of blitzes, he does not have people miss him when he is running with the ball. And a few times when running the ball he seemed to make the wrong move. This does not say a lot for his vision which I thought was one of his strengths. I’m still giving him more time but so far, I’m disappointed!

Round 4-James Morgan, QB, Grade Incomplete

Never understood this pick. This draft was very deep in wide receivers and we could have used more than one. Why pick someone who we all know will not see the field in 2020. If Gase has any guts, he would play Morgan the last two games.

Round 4-Cameron Clark, OL, Grade Incomplete

Has not been on the field yet. Please please please put him in for guard Alex Lewis next game.

Round 5-Bryce Hall, DB, Grade Incomplete

ABD-Anyone But Desir! Played some against the Patriots and besides a penalty, he wasn’t awful. We’ll know more about him when we are digging into our Turkey in a couple of weeks.

Round 6-Braden Mann, P, A+

The steal of the draft! What a great pick! All Mann has done is kick the ball high and far while improving his hang time since the beginning of the season. As of this writing he has a 45.1 average. He is leading the NFL in the number of punts, which is understandable punting for the worst team in the NFL. He has 9 punts inside the 20 yard line. He also is kicking off since Sam Fickens got injured. And on top of all this he is probably one of the best tacklers on the team. If I was offered a 3rd round pick for him, I wouldn’t take it! I predict he will be the first rookie of this class to  make the Pro-Bowl.

Jets Un-Drafted Free Agents

Bryce Huff, Edge 

The biggest bright spot of the bunch. Huff has 1 sack, 9 solo tackles, 2 which were for losses. He has played surprisingly well in pass coverage. His last 2 games were not great but he has shown more than just flashes of being a very good player. Right now I wouldn’t think twice about playing him ahead of  Jordan Jenkins.

Lawrence Cager, WR

This big receiver has only played in 2 games. He has 2 catches for 35 yards. Sam Darnold didn't see him a couple of times when he was open. He wasn’t known for his speed but he has shown he can get separation. Injuries have been a problem throughout his career. Still, he has showed promise. 

Lamar Jackson,DB

In this defensive back’s first game he had the assignment covering DeAndre Hopkins who is one of the top 5 wideouts in the game. He got burnt but played him tight. His next game was a disaster. Still he gives more of an effort than Pierre Desir.

Javelin Guidry,DB

Very raw. He did not look good the time he was in the secondary. He will need to sparkle on Special Teams and let’s hope he learns how to harness his 4.29 40 yard speed.

This class does not rank with the best NFL drafts. The 2017 New Orleans Saints had an incredible draft. Right now this draft class is a work in progress.  We will know in 2-3 years how the Jets did in the 2020 draft but the needle is pointing in the right direction. They should get better as the year moves on. The bad news is I think the Jets win two games this year and  “Tanking for Trevor” may be for naught.

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