Google "2014 Jets mock draft" and open up any of the 19.3 million links. Odds are you're probably looking either at a wide receiver or a cornerback projected to the Green & White at pick No. 18.
Take it a step further to look at Round 1 and 2 combos, and you'll find no such consensus. Our research of 15 different position groupings for the Jets' first two rounds yielded nine different results. Still, there are some patterns to note.
Cornerback First
Of the eight two-round mocks that have the Jets selecting a cornerback, six of them have us getting our hands on one in Round 1. The most popular position combination, as perceived by four different analysts, has the Jets going with a corner at 18 and a wideout at 49.
Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard is the most frequently named player in these scenarios, including in Real Football Services' **Jets-only mock draft on newyorkjets.com** with this explanation:
"A lot of fans want to see a receiver in this spot, and Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and Marqise Lee were all sitting there on the board for us. But with the QBs and OTs pushing the WRs down in this scenario, and given the depth of talent at receiver, we knew there would be good players available in the next *three *rounds…"
Tight End Second
If UNC's Eric Ebron is unavailable by the time the Jets are on the clock, we'll likely take a wait-and-see approach on adding a complementary piece to Jeff Cumberland & Co. While one-third of the sample has us selecting a tight end within the first two rounds, just one mock has us using our 18th overall pick on the position.
TEs Jace Amaro (Texas Tech) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington) appear to be the most intriguing Round 2 options, and three of the 15 analysts pair one of these two prospects with a first-round wide receiver.
In ESPN's three-round co-op mock between Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, the latter writes, "Kiper took a wide receiver for the Jets at No. 18 in Brandin Cooks, and we'll add another weapon in Amaro, who doesn't have elite speed but is a big target [6'5", 265 pounds] in the passing game."
But Not in That Order
The Jets will have plenty of talented options to choose from with their first-round selection, but here are the 18 players who could make the most sense for the Green & White with the 18th overall pick.
If the Jets are looking for a receiving threat out of the tight end position, Amaro's as good an option as any. The 6'5", 260-pounder set an FBS record for the position with 1,352 receiving yards last season. (Projected late 1st, early 2nd)
In his 2012-13 seasons combined, Barr tallied 41.5 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks. (Projected mid-1st)
Beckham has been the most popular mock-draft pick for the Jets since the combine. He broke LSU's school record with 2,315 all-purpose yards last season. (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
"A fluid mover with very good range, he can cover a lot of ground and should be the top safety taken." - Mel Kiper, ESPN.com (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
Cooks makes up for his lack of size (5'10", 189) with blazing quickness. His times of 4.33 seconds for the 40, 3.81 seconds for the 20-yard shuttle and 10.72 seconds for the 60-yard shuttle were best among wide receivers at this year's combine. (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
"Like 2013 first-round pick Dee Millliner, Dennard has the length and aggression to excel in Rex Ryan's press-heavy scheme." - Rob Rang, CBSSports.com (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
Many analysts have compared Ebron to 49ers TE Vernon Davis. After breaking Davis' ACC record for most yards in a season (973), it's easy to see why. (Projected mid-1st)
It would be shocking to see Evans drop all the way to 18, but that unlikely scenario would lead to a no-brainer pick. The 6'5" receiver ran a 4.53 40 at the combine. (Projected top-10)
"Physical corner who could blossom under Rex Ryan. They could go wideout but the offense is ... in pretty good shape? The Jets need someone else across from Dee Milliner." - Will Brinson, CBSSports.com (Projected late 1st, early 2nd)
Ford earned unanimous All-SEC first-team honors after posting 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss last season. (Projected late 1st, early 2nd)
"Rex Ryan collects corners because his defense doesn't work if they can't lock up. The Jets have lost Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis in back-to-back years. Wide receiver can wait until Round 2." - Brian Baldinger, NFL.com (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
Lee's sophomore season was much more impressive than his junior year. Still, he finished his career with more catches, receiving yards and touchdowns than Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, each having played 36 games. (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
Martin (6'4", 308) set a Fighting Irish record with 52 starts, 50 coming at left tackle, although many analysts project he'll be drafted as a guard due to his lack of ideal length (32 7/8" arms). (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
"This could easily be a corner, but I think Rex might covet Pryor's aggressive style and experience disrupting at the catch point. That isn't to say that time at free safety was positive, but there were some flashes. Pryor needs to improve his tackling in the open field." - Josh Norris, Rotoworld.com (Projected mid-to-late 1st)
Roby started all 37 games played for the Buckeyes and finished his career with eight interceptions and 36 pass breakups. His 226 interception return yards rank third in school history. (Projected late 1st, early 2nd)
Among all linebackers at the combine from 2007-14, Shazier's 42.0" vertical jump ranks No. 1 while his 10'10" broad jump is third-best. (Projected late 1st, early 2nd)
"Ideally, Rex Ryan's 2014 team will push for the NFL lead in rushing attempts while leaning on its front seven to stay competitive on a weekly basis. Su'a-Filo is a nasty interior blocker with plus athleticism." - Evan Silva, Rotoworld.com (Projected late 1st, early 2nd)
Verrett ranked in the top-three among corners at the combine in the 40-yard dash (4.38 sec), vertical jump (39.0"), three-cone drill (6.69 sec) and 20-yard shuttle (4.00 sec). His size (5'9", 189) is what's holding him back from being a surefire first-rounder. (Projected late 1st, early 2nd)
Interestingly, the two general trends laid out above appear to be mutually exclusive, as none of the 15 independent multi-round mocks have us going with cornerback first *and *tight end second.
Aside from the already discussed CB/WR and WR/TE pairings, a pair of defensive-minded analysts went with corner/defensive end and corner/safety, while the only other Round 2 tight end selection preceded the pick with a guard.
Wide Receiver Can't Wait
It's "the deepest position in what we're calling one of the deepest drafts ever" - Todd McShay
Consensus No. 1 WR
18 receptions, 566 yards and five touchdowns vs. Alabama and Auburn last year
Broke LSU's single-season record with 2,315 all-purpose yards
Fastest WR at the combine in the 40-yard dash (4.33 sec), 20-yard shuttle (3.81) and 60-yard shuttle (10.72)
Career receiving numbers bested Watkins by eight catches, 264 yards and two touchdowns
Caught the game-winning TD in the BCS National Championship Game
FBS leader with 131 receptions
Big Ten's leading receiver in '12 and '13
SEC's career leader in receptions (262) and receiving yards (3,759)
Thomas McGaughey disciple
Top three among receivers at the combine in the 40 (4.40 sec), the vertical jump (39.5") and the broad jump (11'0")
School-record 22.2 yards/catch
Averaged 40.0 yards per touchdown catch (21 total)
Cousin of Arizona Cardinals RB Andre Ellington
Gone at pick No. 27 to New Orleans in Mel Kiper's msot recent mock draft
Won 2013 Burlsworth Trophy as nation's top player who began his career as a walk-on
Tied the school career receiving TD record (20)
Ran a 4.48 40 at the combine
Tied school single-season record with 12 TD receptions
Fourth on the Longhorns' all-time receptions list (200), fourth in receiving yards (2,753) and fifth in career receiving TDs (18)
Much has been said about the depth at wide receiver, yet only three mock drafters were bold enough to pass on the position for the Jets in each of the first two rounds.
Seven of the 15 have us taking a wideout first; five of the 15 have us taking a wideout second.
As has been the case for quite some time now, Beckham, Cooks and Lee are the likely Round 1 options at the position, while Round 2 possibilities include Penn State's Allen Robinson, Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin, Fresno State's Davante Adams and Ole Miss product Donte Moncrief.
If WR truly is as deep as many say, though, don't be surprised to see the Jets pass on a dynamic wideout twice within the first 50 overall picks.
But Safety Can
Another noteworthy takeaway from these multi-round mocks: Only one has the Jets taking a safety in either of the first two rounds.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Alabama) and Calvin Pryor (Louisville) could both go during the first half of Round 1. Once they're off the board, there's a significant talent dropoff at safety in the eyes of many, with Jimmie Ward (Northern Illinois) leading the second tier.
"Ward is a playmaker with the cover skills to match up with slot receivers and the speed to play a centerfielder-type role, making him a good fit for the Jets," writes ESPN.com's Steve Muench in a recent Jets-specific mock draft. "While he doesn't have great size at 5'10" and 193 pounds, he's above-average in run support."
