Does Josh Downs Make Sense for the Jets?

Edition #373

Good morning. ☀️

The draft is officially a week away, so we’re going to continue our features on some draft prospects, today focusing on North Carolina’s Josh Downs.

This week we’ve also seen some rumors surface linking the Tennessee Titans with Aaron Rodgers. I’m not sure who reported it first, but I can tell you where those stories are coming from.

The Packers realize that time is running out and they’re also realizing that Joe Douglas doesn’t seem to be budging. For me, this is an obvious and desperate attempt to try and increase the pressure on the Jets to raise their offer. The Packers want and need 2023 draft compensation, and right now the only offer they have on the table is the one from the Jets.

1️⃣ Sauce Gardner was on the New Heights podcast with the Kelce brothers and he had this to save about Rodgers "I'm hoping it happens. That would be great for me and the whole organization." - He also mentioned texting Rodgers a picture of the cheesehead. Sauce also mentioned today that he has his sights set on winning league MVP. I wouldn’t put anything past Sauce, but we all know that the MVP award is a QB one.

🔴⚪ PFF released a mock draft yesterday with the Jets selecting OT Paris Johnson at #13 overall. “The Jets hold on to Pick 13 in the Aaron Rodgers trade talks for precisely this reason. They need a right tackle, and Johnson can fill that role.” We spoke about Johnson yesterday and I’d have no problems with this selection.

🟣 The Baltimore Ravens announced the signing of former Jets receiver Tarik Black. Black caught one pass with the Jets in 2021 and was signed to a futures contract before being released in 2022. As a Texas fan, I saw Black in college and I don’t think we’ll be missing him this year.

On Monday we looked at the possibility of taking Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 13th overall pick. Understandably that was a touch rich for a few people who see offensive tackle as a more pressing need.

I’d be comfortable with JSN, as personally, I believe he’s a better prospect than any offensive tackle in the draft. But I’d also understand the Jets wanting to sure up the line with Aaron Rodgers heading to town.

So instead of taking JSN in the first round, could the Jets target North Carolina standout Josh Downs in the second round instead?

Downs in many ways is a similar player to JSN. If you watch them play and read their scouting reports, you’ll see similarities. Both players may be restricted to playing exclusively in the slot and neither seems to possess top-end speed on a down-by-down basis, although Downs tested well.

Downs doesn’t have a ton of experience working outside and that’s mainly because he can be disrupted when defenders get their hands on him. He’s also a below-average run-blocker and that’s largely down to his size and certainly not his effort.