2021 NFL Re-Draft: Jets Pick Justin Fields, Zach Wilson Slips to Patriots
Rather than looking ahead at the 2022 NFL draft class, let's take a moment to revisit the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
This week, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report produced a re-draft of the first 32 picks from last year's draft.
While players like Trevor Lawrence, Trey Lance, DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris still ended up with the same teams that selected them last April, countless clubs picked new faces in this hypothetical draft-day mulligan.
For the Jets, this is quite an eventful first round. Not only do they transform their offense with two new playmakers, but the players they actually selected land in different destinations.
Here are each of the picks that involve the Jets, with some of Moton's analysis:
2021 NFL Re-Draft (Via Bleacher Report)
2. New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
14. New York Jets: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
15. New England Patriots: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
On paper, an offense with Fields and Waddle would be solid. But remember, New York doesn't draft Moore or Vera-Tucker in this scenario. Who knows how the season would've played out and how those two players would've adjusted to Mike LaFleur's offense.
Another way of looking at this is appreciating just how much of a steal Moore was for the Jets in the second round last year. Plus, Wilson can still improve and show he's worthy of the No. 2 pick. Wilson, Fields and the rest of the quarterback class all have plenty of room to grow going forward.
MORE:
- Joe Namath Questions If Zach Wilson Can Last With Jets
- 2022 NFL Draft: Jets 'Prime Candidate' to Trade 10th Overall Pick to Steelers
- Three Affordable Wide Receivers the Jets Should Target in Free Agency
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