Side-by-Side Look at Mock Drafts From Six Prominent Analysts

Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn will have plenty of big decisions to make when the draft arrives one month from today. With the NFL draft just one month away, plenty of top analysts have produced mock drafts in recent weeks, which prompted us to look for any trends or outliers if looked at side-by-side.  What did we find?

Among the analysts we chose from, Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network), Mel Kiper (ESPN), Todd McShay (The McShay Report), Jordan Reid (ESPN), Bucky Brooks (NFL Network), and Field Yates (ESPN), there were 21 players who were consensus first-round selections.  This led to every player in the first sixteen rounds being tabbed as round 1 picks.  It wasn’t until round 17 when Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor was the first player who was not projected in all six mocks.  Unsurprisingly, Mesidor’s name did appear on five of the six mocks, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper being the lone dissenting opinion.

In addition to the 21 consensus picks, there were five players who were projected by just one analyst.  Those players being edge rusher R. Mason Thomas, wide receiver Denzel Boston, guard Chase Bisontis, RB Jadarian Prince, and edge rusher Gabe Jacas.  If Prince were to go in round 1, he would join teammate Jeremiyah Love in the top 32 which would obviously go over well in South Bend.

The biggest surprise on the list would have to be Gabe Jacas.  A powerful defensive end out of Illinois who helped himself tremendously with his performance at the Senior Bowl, there has been little to no first-round buzz around Jacas who, at 6′ 4” 260 pounds, could be a handful up front for opposing offensive linemen.

Mock drafts are largely a crap shoot, but it’s interesting to see what some of the top insiders think.  Especially those with well-placed sources within the league.

Surprisingly absent from all six mocks were UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II and Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.

Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms recently placed Brazzell in his top three wide receivers in this year’s class, while Lawrence popped on film as a high-end pass rusher whose day at the combine blew onlookers away.  Then, of course, there’s Ponds, who was downright dominant in Indiana’s run to being crowned national champions.  Undersized at 5′ 9”, Ponds’ ability to “jump out of the gym” as evidenced by his 43.5”  vertical in Indy, should help offset his stature.

Over the span of each of the mock drafts we reviewed, seven different players were projected to the Jets with their two first-round picks.

Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech: Viewed by some as the top pass rusher in the country, Bailey shows excellent get off, an elite spin move, and great motor.  His biggest drawback is his play against the run.  This would have to bring into question how he’ll fit in the Jets new defense at 250 pounds in a 3-4 front.

LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State: Reese looks to be the most popular player being projected to the Jets if you take a quick scroll through Twitter. An off-ball linebacker who is one of the drafts best run stoppers also shows plenty as a pass rusher, which is where he’s expected to transition at some point.  Should the Jets take him with the second overall pick, should they consider an immediate switch to the edge?  It’s worth a thought.

WR Makai Lemon, USC: If Reese is the most frequently projected player to the Jets with pick number two, Lemon may hold the title for their pick at sixteen.  A shifty receiver with sticky hands who can embarrass defenders in space, Lemon would be a heck of a compliment to Garrett Wilson on the other side.

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama: One of the most polarizing players in this year’s class, Simpson’s lack of experience (15 career starts) is a red flag, but his film from last season reveals some high-level QB play.  Some have said Simpson will be there for the Jets taking at 33 if they wait that long, but it’s hard to imagine a QB-needy team won’t’ snap him up before that.

WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana: A precise route-runner who seems to have come on of late within the draft community.  He may not be on the same level as fellow receiver Jordyn Tyson, but he doesn’t have the injury history Tyson does.

CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson: The need to add a cornerback is a topic that hasn’t generated nearly enough discussion this offseason.  After parting ways with Sauce Gardner last season, they’re left with the less effective Brandon Stephens and the unproven Azareye’h Thomas.  Terrell isn’t on Gardner’s level, but he’s one of the smoothest movers in the class who shows the ability to flip his hips and run with top receivers.

S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon: An incredible athlete who flies toward the line of scrimmage in run support as well as anybody in this class.  He would be a welcome addition to a Jets defense that couldn’t stop anyone on the ground last season.  He also boasts the skills necessary to develop into a playmaker in pass coverage.

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