Jets Could Pull off Rare ‘Triple Dip’ During NFL Draft

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New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints.

The New York Jets need help at the wide receiver position.

That isn’t a surprise. However, ESPN’s Ben Solak explained that they could pull off a rare feat to fill the void at pass catcher.

“No. 16 is way more interesting. Wide receiver seems the targeted position, with Makai Lemon (USC) and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana) as the likely options. I think receivers are always easier to find in the middle rounds than other positions, so the Jets should look hard at guard (if Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane makes it to them) or corner (neither Brandon Stephens nor Nahshon Wright have locked up starting roles),” Solak wrote.

“With that said, the Jets’ current WR2 is Adonai Mitchell, and WR3 is probably 2025 fourth-rounder Arian Smith. A double-dip at the position is almost inevitable; a triple-dip would even be justified. The Jets should look for a big-bodied outside receiver in the middle rounds to free up Garrett Wilson for more slot reps — think Elijah Sarratt (Indiana), Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), or Ja’Kobi Lane (USC),” Solak said.

A Quick Audible at the Line of Scrimmage

Three wide receivers in the same draft would be a little overkill. The Jets have nine picks in April’s draft, to use 33% of them at the same position would be aggressive.

Gang Green was 3-14 last year. Sure, they need a wide receiver, but they also have plenty of other needs on the list as well.

However, if we slightly alter the game plan, this strategy could make a ton of sense. Instead of three wide receivers, what about three pass catchers?

That can expand the scope to potentially include the tight end position. The Jets walking away from this draft with two new receivers and a tight end sounds more feasible.

Insider Info on Jets Draft Plans

“Exiting draft meetings, Washington Huskies receiver Denzel Boston has received a lot of buzz. He seems to be a lock to end up in the first round, and several teams rank him as the fourth receiver on their boards. The range for Boston starts at 16 with the New York Jets, whom he will visit on Saturday, and extends to the New England Patriots at 31,” NFL Insider Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports wrote.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini confirmed that there is some buzz between Boston and the Jets.

“I’m told the Jets have first-round grades on the following receivers: Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Boston. While the team does like wideout Omar Cooper, and some have mocked the IU wideout to the Jets at 16, I’m told they would not select Cooper earlier than pick No. 33, which opens Day 2. This confirms what I initially reported on April 4th,” Pauline explained.

If that is true about the limited first-round grades for WR in this class, that could explain some of the rumors that the team could trade up in round one to get their guy. The Jets are in a unique position to pull that off.

On a conference call with the media, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah believes the Jets can be aggressive on draft day “without having to part with 2027 picks.”

Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.