Mock Shock: Jets Trading Up to Draft Ohio State Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.?!
In free agency, the New York Jets have acquired veteran blockers for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. According to NFL.com, they're about to also draft him an elite receiving weapon.
In draft guru Daniel Jeremiah's 3.0 mock released this week, Jets' general manager Joe Douglas continues his aggressive offseason by making a trade into the Top 5 to select Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
A month ago in his 2.0 mock - published well before the Jets signed tackles Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith - Jeremiah projected New York to draft Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga with the 10th overall pick. But now, well, things have definitely changed.
NFL.com predicts the Jets will trade up to No. 5 and take the Los Angeles Chargers' pick (Jeremiah doesn't provide details of his supposed trade).
"The Jets are all-in with a veteran quarterback and they recently acquired two offensive tackles to shore up the O-line," Jeremiah reasons. "They desperately need another playmaker in the passing game to complement Garrett Wilson, so they trade up to select Harrison, the top receiver in the draft and Wilson’s former Ohio State teammate."
The prospect of a healthy and protected Rodgers handing off to Breece Hall and throwing passes to Wilson and Harrison is spicy enough to make Jets fans wish training camp started tomorrow. And just think, former Chargers' No. 1 target Mike Williams is visiting Florham Park Tuesday on a free-agent visit.
NFL.com project USC quarterback Caleb Williams going No. 1 to the Bears, followed by North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye No. 2 to the Commanders and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels No. 3 to the Patriots. (A month ago, for what it's worth, Jeremiah had Harrison going to New England third overall.)
Another trade is projected at No. 4, with the Vikings moving up from 11 to take the Cardinals' spot and draft Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Says ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky of McCarthy, "He's the most consistent quarterback in this draft."