As part of The Post’s 2021 NFL Draft preview, we’re exploring what the Jets could do in each position. Sunday: Offensive line
The Jets are about to draft another quarterback in the first round in BYU’s Zach Wilson. Will they protect him better than with Sam Darnold? That is the question now floating about this franchise.
The Jets feel they can tackle just fine with Mekhi Becton and George Fant and were encouraged by the way center Connor McGovern ended the season. They feel they need to upgrade at security guard and couldn’t do that in free agency.
One of the next picks the Jets have after they win Wilson No. 2 overalls must be used on a guard. USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker is the top-rated guard in this draft, but he could be gone by the time the Jets hit number 23 on the clock. Alabama’s Landon Dickerson and Alex Leatherwood are second-round options, as are Ohio State’s. Wyatt Davis and Jalen Mayfield from Michigan.
The Jets could also set up a center and move it temporarily to guard or shift McGovern to guard. The top centers in this design are Creed Humphrey of Oklahoma, Josh Myers of Ohio, and Quinn Meinerz of Wisconsin-Whitewater. They should all be day 2 choices.
Meinerz has written about Joe Douglas player. A Division III player, he stole the show in the Senior Bowl showing that he can compete with the top league. As a team captain at Whitewater, he would make sense in round 3 for the Jets.