Solid Starter
Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss – Round 2 
After signing Corey Davis to go with second-year pro Denzel Mims, the Jets were in market for a speed receiver to team with those two big possessional wideouts. The organization had some good options available at the top of the second round, and many thought Moore was likely to go late in Round 1. The Jets ended his fall, and he will instantly inject some explosiveness to their offense.
There is a lot to like about Moore for the NFL because he is dynamic receiving weapon. Moore is a dangerous playmaker who is a threat to score and rip off long gains on any reception. He has speed off the line and a second gear, which allow to burst out of his route breaks to consistently create separation. Moore is deadly on double moves, as his route-running and suddenness allow him to get open downfield while challenging defenses vertically. Moore is a natural hands catcher who is very reliable at securing the ball. He also brings a gritty, competitive style that energizes his team beyond his big-play ability.
Sooner rather than later, Moore should replace veteran Jamison Crowder as the Jets’ starting slot receiver. It would not surprise me if Moore ends up being the top wideout on New York’s roster because has more special talent than Mims or Davis. Moore could emerge as a solid starter for the Jets before too long and end up being a good value pick as a high second-rounder.
2020: Jabari Zuniga, DE
2019: Jachai Polite, DE
2018: Nathan Shepard, DT
2017: Jamal Adams, S
2016: Darron Lee, LB
2015: Devin Smith, WR
2014: Calvin Pryor, S
2013: Dee Milliner, CB
Most Likely To Bust
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU – Round 1 
Wilson has the skill set to be a good NFL starting quarterback. He has a strong arm capable of making all the throws with good deep-ball accuracy. Wilson shows the ability to fire strikes in the short to intermediate part of the field and good ball placement to lead his receivers for more yards. There is no doubt that Wilson can really spin it, as the velocity of his throws can fit the ball into tight windows. In the pocket, Wilson shows the ability to work off his primary read and does not panic when his first read is covered. Wilson’s timing, anticipation, accuracy, and field vision are on point to be an effective pocket passer.
Like all players going into the NFL, there are aspects for Wilson to work on. Speeding up his reading of defenses and working through his progressions faster will help him. BYU had a good offensive line and he had wide open receivers against weak competition, so Wilson working faster is going to be a necessity. Wilson also can have a tendency to let some passes sail high when pressured. He also will make some throws back across the field that he could get away with in college, but he will have to be more selective about doing that as a pro passer.
In speaking to a director of college scouting from a NFC team that was in the market for a new quarterback, they outlined some makeup concerns with Wilson before the draft:
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“Johnny Manziel comp without the [drugs]. [Wilson] is fun to watch, but is he a one-year flash in the pan? He’s a backyard baller who is fun to watch.
“Someone will grab him in the first. I doubt he gets to the second because once the third quarterback goes after Lawrence and Fields, there will be a run on them. [Wilson] has character concern, rich kid who is an entitled brat (uncle owns Jet Blue), parents are a pain, not a leader, selfish, and he’s a know-it-all.
“His positives are that he’s super competitive, not to get (sic) scared and won’t back down, extremely confident, very smart with keen recall and teammates will play for him.”
2020: Ashtyn Davis, S
2019: Chuma Edoga, OT
2018: Chris Herndon, TE
2017: Chad Hanson, WR
2016: Jordan Jenkins, LB
2015: Bryce Petty, QB
2014: Dexter McDougle, CB
2013: Geno Smith, QB
Potential Boom Pick
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC – Round 1 
New York general manager Joe Douglas added a lot of veteran talent throughout the Jets’ roster in free agency, but one position he did not address was the offensive line. The 2021 NFL Draft was strong at the offensive tackle position, and Douglas was aggressive to land an upgrade at guard or right tackle in Vera-Tucker. Some teams had Vera-Tucker as one of the best players in the 2021 NFL Draft and had him in the top 10 on their draft boards, so getting him with the 14th-overall pick was solid value for the Jets even though they gave up a nice package to move up for him.
For the NFL, there is a lot to like about Vera-Tucker in pass protection. He is an easy mover with athleticism, quickness and agility. He can easily glide with speed rushers, showing the ability to play the typewriter with his feet. Vera-Tucker is a natural knee bender who maintains good leverage while avoiding bending at the waist. When taking on bull rushes, Vera-Tucker is able to anchor and absorb the rush to keep them from pushing him into the quarterback.
In the ground game, Vera-Tucker is not a bull at the point of attack, but he is effective. He is more of a “wall off and position” blocker who beats defenders to a spot to cover them up and keep them from making a tackle. He does a nice job of scrapping and keeping his hands fighting to sustain his blocks. It would help him to add strength if his frame isn’t maxed out. For a pro rushing offense, Vera-Tucker might fit best in a zone-blocking scheme.
Vera-Tucker was a superb guard for the Trojans in 2019, and in 2020, he was a rock-solid left tackle. He offers excellent versatility to play guard or tackle as a pro, and that will help the Jets to deal with injuries effectively. Immediately, Vera-Tucker could be a tremendous left guard next to left tackle Mekhi Becton. If Becton or right tackle George Fant gets hurt, Vera-Tucker can move to tackle.
Douglas bet his tenure as general manager on Zach Wilson being the franchise quarterback that the Jets have needed. Adding another first-round lineman to protect Wilson and help improve the rushing attack was an astute move to help the return on investment in Wilson. I think Vera-Tucker could be a Pro Bowl guard or tackle in the NFL and has real boom pick potential for New York.
2020: Mekhi Becton, OT
2019: Quinnen Williams, DT
2018: Sam Darnold, QB
2017: Marcus Maye, S
2016: Christian Hackenberg, QB
2015: Leonard Williams, DE
2014: Jace Amaro, TE
2013: Sheldon Richardson, DT
Future Depth Player
Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina – Round 4 
For the second straight season, the Jets made a nice value pick at the running back position in the fourth round. Last year, they landed power runner La’Mical Perine, and this year, they added a speedy receiving back in Carter. The 5-foot-8, 201-pound Carter may not have the size and strength hold up as a bell-cow back and three-down starter, but he is a fast back who brings some explosion to the backfield while being a skilled outlet receiver. As a member of a platoon back with Perine and veteran Tevin Coleman, Carter could be a valuable rotational back who contributes well in his role. Carter may not be a starter, but he is a safe bet to be a solid backup who produces well in what he is asked to do.
2020: La’Mical Perine, RB
2019: Blessaun Austin, CB
2018: Parry Nickerson, CB
2017: Jordan Leggett, TE
2016: Charone Peak, WR
2015: Jarvis Harrison, G
2014: Tajh Boyd, QB
2013: Brian Winters, G
Walt’s 2021 NFL Draft Grades:
2. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU – B Grade
Zach Wilson has been locked into the Jets for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean that this grade is a slam-dunk A+ like the Jaguars’ selection of Trevor Lawrence. There’s a ton to like about Wilson, given that he’s such a great talent with immense upside. However, Wilson is a one-year wonder and doesn’t have much experience against top-level competition. Some people in the NFL also questioned Wilson’s character. From the outside looking in, I may have preferred Justin Fields, but the Jets are probably getting a winner in Wilson.
14. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC – C Grade
I’m torn on this pick. On one hand, the Jets gave up a pair of third-round picks to move up for a guard. On the other hand, as I wrote above, I’m all for teams strengthening the offensive line for a young quarterback. Protecting Zach Wilson is paramount, but couldn’t the Jets have obtained a solid offensive lineman at No. 23? Guards can be found all over the draft, so giving up many resources for one doesn’t seem like a great decision.
34. Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss – B Grade
I’ve had Elijah Moore in the third round for a while, but moved him up late in the process. I still think this is a bit high for him, as Moore will be limited to the slot. It’s a bit of an odd fit for the Jets, but there’s no doubt that the Jets needed help at receiver, with their top player at the position being the underwhelming and inconsistent Corey Davis.
107. Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina – A Grade
The Jets had absolutely nothing at running back entering the draft, unless you count Tevin Coleman, which I don’t. Michael Carter was excellent in the Senior Bowl, so I thought there was a chance he could sneak into Day 2. This is great value.
146. Jamien Sherwood, S, Auburn – D Grade
Jamal Adams is gone, but Jamien Sherwood is probably not going to be the guy to replace him. Sherwood is a bad athlete, and it could be argued that he may have to move to linebacker. I didn’t have him as a draftable prospect.
154. Michael Carter, S, Duke – D Grade
Did the Jets just become the first team to draft two players with the same name in the same draft? That fact is more interesting than this prospect. Michael Carter is not a very good athlete, and I didn’t have him in any of my mock drafts. The Jets have made some dubious defensive back picks lately.
175. Jason Pinnock, CB, Pittsburgh – B+ Grade
The Jets need as many cornerbacks as possible to deal with all of Josh Allen’s receivers. Jason Pinnock is an athletic and tall (6-1, 204) cornerback with plenty of potential. I like this high-upside pick for the Jets.
186. Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State – A Grade
How many defensive backs are the Jets going to draft on Day 3? I don’t blame them for making this pick though. Hamsah Nasirildeen is someone who was a constant presence in the third round of my mock draft, but that changed late when we learned that one team flunked his medical. The sixth round is a great time to take a chance on him, however.
200. Brandin Echols, CB/S, Kentucky – B Grade
This is the 716th defensive back for the Jets on Day 3. Brandin Echols is an athletic player, and he’s someone I thought would be chosen in the final couple of rounds.
207. Jonathan Marshall, DT, Arkansas – B+ Grade
Jonathan Marshall is an explosive athlete for a player at his position. The Jets needed some defensive tackle depth, and they’re getting a high-upside player in Round 6, which is par for the course of Joe Douglas’ drafting.
2021 NFL Draft Team Grade: B-. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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