The past few days have been very busy and yet fruitful for the Jets as GM Joe Douglas and head coach Adam Gase have built a solid 2020 draft class to help improve the Jets going into the next season.
All three phases of the game were covered through draft selections, which brings a sense of balance and overall improvement to the Jets organization and begins giving them a purposeful sense of direction.
The fourth round of the 2020 draft pick allowed the Jets to focus on three offensive players who bring different talents to that side of the ball.
La’Mical Perine, RB // Florida
The Jets now seem to be a northern extension of the Florida Gators as both Perine and fellow Gator Jabari Zuniga will be making that move from Gainesville, FL up to the New York area. Perine brings a toughness to the Jets and will be a great complement in the backfield to La’Veon Bell. Perine’s own story of becoming a Gator is a testimony to his determination. In high school, Perine was only heavily recruited by Mississippi State and he paid for his own bus ticket in order to go and work out in front of the Florida coaches to gain their attention.
Perine’s hard work paid off and the 5’11”, 2016 lb. running back finished off a strong career at Florida with 2,485 rushing yards on 494 caries with 22 TD’s and also had 72 receptions for another 674 yards and 8 passing TD’s as well. Perine also has NFL connections as cousins Samaje Perine and Myles Jack both play in the league.
James Morgan, QB // Florida International
As previously discussed, the Jets went with a solid backup QB to help build up the depth chart behind starter Sam Darnold. Morgan is the first QB from the state of Wisconsin to be drafted by the NFL since 1988.
Morgan originally started at Bowling Green State University but later transferred to Florida International and finished his collegiate career with 5,375 passing yards and 40 passing TD’s and also had a passing efficiency rating of 143. Morgan is a solid sized QB at 6’4″ and 229 lbs. and will immediately be in the mix to become the official backup QB on the Jets depth chart.
Cameron Clark, LT // Charlotte
Clark becomes a complementary draft pick to first rounder Mekhi Becton. Clark is a 6’4″, 308 lb. left tackle and may end up moving to guard in the near future in the Jets offensive scheme. Clark was a two year team captain at Charlotte and the team’s offensive MVP in 2017 which is a rare honor for a lineman.
Clark has also garnered 1st team All Conference USA honors as well, meaning that Clark is a well-rounded draft pick and if he’s moved to the inside on the O Line will be an important run blocker for the Jets.
Bryce Hall, CB // Virginia
The Jets didn’t neglect the defensive side of the ball on Saturday’s draft picks. 5th round draft pick Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia is a top addition to the Jets secondary and he should pay dividends very quickly. Hall is a good sized, 6’1″, 202 pounder who was a first team All-ACC selection in 2018 with 22 pass breakups which led the FBS that season. The 2018 season was far more indicative of Hall’s talents as he had 62 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, 2 sacks and 2 more forced fumbles over the course of that season. In 2019, Hall’s left ankle was largely injured and he eventually required surgey on that ankle.
Nevertheless, Hall still registerd 20 tackles, 3 tackles for losses, a sack and 4 pass breakups while only playing in 6 games last season. Hall is healthy and will certainly provide more depth at the corner position and has been talked about eventually moving to a free safety position down the road.
Braden Mann, P // Texas A&M
Special teams was an integral part of the Jets draft picks as top-notch punter Braden Mann was taken in the 6th round. Mann, out of Texas A&M, started his collegiate career as a kickoff specialist and in 2016 had 55 touchbacks out of 76 kickoffs and in 2017 had 33 more touchbacks on 77 kickoffs. Moving over to full time punting duties in 2018, Mann was the Ray Guy Award recipient that year as the nation’s top punter and had a 51.0 yards per punt average.
In 2019, Mann averaged 47.1 yards per punt and also put 26 punts out of a total of 57 inside the 20 yard line while only punting four touchbacks. In Mann’s career, he has averaged 54.3% of his punts going at least 50 yards or more and last year also chalked up seven tackles while on punt coverage.
Mann brings a powerful weapon not only to special teams but in providing relief to the defensive unit through his ability to pin back punt return coverages and he will be an immediate weapon in Adam Gase’s overall arsenal.
CB Quincy Wilson
CB Quincy Wilson was also traded for in the 6th round in exchange for the Jets final draft pick. Wilson was originally drafted by the Colts in the 2nd round back in 2017 and in 2018 posted his best season with the Colts with 28 tackles and an interception. Wilson will provide additional depth and experience at the corner for the Jets.
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