The New York Jets finished 7-9 in 2019 and they were clearly better on one side of the ball than the other – the Jets finished 29th in ESPN’s offensive efficiency ranking and 15th in defense.
So it’s likely that the Jets add an offensive player with their first pick, as their current wide receiver depth chart is kind of, you know, sad. Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman are New York’s top two options out wide, and this is thought to be a receiver-heavy draft.
The Jets could also use offensive line help, and DraftKings and FanDuel have posted Jets betting odds on the first player New York will choose – they mostly consist of receivers and offensive linemen up top. Here they are:
DraftKings Jets NFL Draft odds
Jerry Jeudy +400
CeeDee Lamb +400
Mekhi Becton +500
Henry Ruggs III +600
Jedrick Wills +600
Tristan Wirfs +600
Andrew Thomas +800
K’Lavon Chaisson +2500
Jeffrey Okudah +2500
Isaiah Simmons +2500
Derrick Brown +3300
Javon Kinlaw +3300
C.J. Henderson +3500
FanDuel Jets NFL Draft odds
Jerry Jeudy +280
CeeDee Lamb +350
Andrew Thomas +450
Jedrick Wills +550
Mekhi Becton +600
Henry Ruggs III +750
Tristan Wirfs +900
Derrick Brown +2000
A.J. Epenesa +3000
FanDuel position of first Jets player drafted
Offensive Lineman +100
Wide Receiver +120
Defensive Lineman +1100
Cornerback +2900
Linebacker +3100
Quarterback +5000
Running Back +5000
Safety +5000
Tight End +9500
Kicker/Punter +11000
A quick note: Offensive lineman first position to be drafted at +100 feels off at FanDuel – if that’s the route you’re looking to go, wait for some line movement (or just pick a specific player). Wide receiver at +120 feels like decent value based on every mock draft you read, but it’s not crazy juice for the 11th pick in the draft.
Jeudy and Lamb have the shortest odds at both books, and it’s easy to see why. As previously mentioned, the Jets have a weakness at wide receiver and there are several first round-caliber wideouts in this draft class, so it’s a natural fit.
DraftKings offers more options (for instance, it’s not listed above but Tua Tagovailoa is listed at +50000) and you even get better value going with a favorite like Jeudy or Lamb. But if you’re looking for more of a long-shot play yet still think the Jets go with a receiver, Ruggs III +750 at FanDuel is interesting. DraftKings offers props on the first wide receiver drafted, and they are as follows:
Jerry Jeudy +110
CeeDee Lamb +140
Henry Ruggs III +225
And yet, Ruggs III to the Jets would pay out more than double Jeudy or Lamb at the other book. Either take one of the two favorites at DraftKings (or even both as a hedge?) or consider Ruggs III at FanDuel.
Jets in need of O-line help
New York is also in need of offensive line help, as it ranked 29th in sacks allowed last season and should want to keep Sam Darnold upright. The Jets could reasonably argue that a wide receiver or an offensive lineman would benefit Darnold more, and the tackle spots are weaknesses. Again, there are several first round-caliber tackles in this draft.
Consider this from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who mocked Wills to the Jets at No. 11.
“The Jets have a solid interior line, but the tackles are still an area that needs to be addressed. The biggest concern with Wills is he has been a right tackle only his entire life so a move to left tackle would be a projection, but he has all the talent to make the move and thrive.”
If you think the Jets will go with a lineman but aren’t sure who to choose, Wirfs is an intriguing choice – he’s +900 at FanDuel and the NFL Network’s Peter Schrager has the Jets taking him in his latest mock draft.
The Jets are in a position of strength, as they have two obvious needs at positions where this draft class is rich. Fans and bettors will be curious to see what Joe Douglas has in store.