NEW YORK — One day after Joe Douglas gave Sam Darnold some much-needed beef in the trenches, the Jets general manager did a little wheeling and dealing before giving his franchise quarterback a new playmaker.
The Jets drafted game-breaking Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims after trading down in the second round Friday night.
The 6-3, 207-pound Mims was a polarizing player among NFL talent evaluators.
Although Mims has the speed (4.38 40-yard dash) and length to be a difference maker, some scouts had concerns about his hands and unrefined route running. However, Mims’ production in Baylor’s spread offense (28 TDs in his last 35 games) was undeniable.
His ability to make contested catches is another appeal for Adam Gase, who wanted to add some juice to the league’s worst-ranked offense from a year ago. The yin and yang of Mims includes game-changing ability and heart-breaking moments (24 drops in the past three seasons).
The tall and lean Mims, who was the 12th wideout taken in the first two rounds, is expected to bring electricity to an offense in desperate need of more speed.
Douglas added more picks in the meat of the draft after pulling off a trade with the Seahawks in the second round Friday night. The Jets dropped down 11 slots in the second round (No. 48 to 59) and picked up Seattle’s third-rounder (No. 101). The Seahawks grabbed Tennessee defensive end Darrell Taylor at No. 48.
The Jets entered the day with a number of needs, including wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback and interior offensive line.
Three wideouts flew off the board with the first 10 picks of the night. Six receivers were gone when the Jets ultimately made their pick.
The Bengals kicked off the wide-receiver run by scooping up Clemson’s Tee Higgins with the first pick of the second round. The Colts wasted little time to grab USC wideout Michael Pittman Jr., with the next selection. The Jaguars took dynamic Colorado receiver Lavishka Shenault with the 10th pick of the second round. Denver snagged Penn State speedster K.J Hamler at No. 46 and Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool went to Pittsburgh three picks later.
The Jets missed out on cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Trevon Diggs, too, by trading down in the second round. They also missed out on Iowa edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, who landed in Buffalo with the No. 54 pick.
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