Training camp preview: Which New York Jets NFL Draft pick has the chance to surprise in 2020?

In the fifth round of April’s NFL Draft, the New York Jets may not have landed just a solid contributor but a player who can become a starter. This is the view of Ric Serritella about the Jets landing Bryce Hall in the draft.

The Jets came into the draft looking to address needs at offensive line and wide receiver as well as at cornerback. The selection of offensive tackle Mekhi Becton in the first round and then wide receiver Denzel Mims one round later solidified those needs on offense.

The Jets waited until Day 3 to address the need at cornerback and take Hall but they got someone who, if healthy, should be able to contribute.

Considered a possible second round pick heading into 2019, Hall saw an ankle injury cut short a promising senior season at Virginia. He possesses good length and footwork. Had he been healthy and able to complete his senior season as well as compete at the NFL Combine, there is no way that he is falling to the Jets in the fifth round.

“Anytime you can get a starter on Day 3 of the draft, that’s winning! All Bryce Hall has ever known is how to perform and at a very high level,” Serritella said. Serritella is the founder of the NFL Draft Bible.

“Due to season-ending ankle injury, Hall slid in the draft but when healthy, we are talking about one of the fastest cornerbacks in the league who plays exceptional man coverage. He may not start Week 1 but he’ll finish the season as a key cog in the secondary.”

At cornerback, the Jets needed depth but also starting potential. While Bless Austin showed flashes a season ago, he certainly is raw. Pierre Desir, signed in free agency this offseason from the Indianapolis Colts, is coming off a down 2019 and has something to prove.

Hall, while not healthy and likely not ready to go come training camp, should be set to compete for a starting job in the Jets secondary at some point his rookie year.

As a senior, Hall had 20 tackles (three tackles for a loss) in a season that was cut short due to that ankle injury. As a junior, he had 62 tackles (3.5 tackles for a loss) with two forced fumbles and two interceptions.