The New York Jets have been going about their offseason business in the shadows of silence with Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey working to clean up the mess Aaron Rodgers and Co. left behind. Part of that is getting the right players in the right positions. While Justin Fields was signed in free agency, Davante Adams was moved on, leaving Fields with a bare-bones weapons unit. Just Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are Fields’ top go-to guys (Allen Lazard if he sticks around), which is why in the upcoming draft, many have New York taking an offensive player. Some have Tetairoa McMillan, others Tyler Warren, while offensive line is also a thought. But for NFL.com’s Adam Rank, in his latest mock draft that sees Warren at No. 5 to the Jacksonville, they pass on McMillan and go for Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. “Loveland, Wilson and Breece Hall are a strong top three to go with my guy Justin Fields ,” Rank writes. That’s one positive view. But our NFL analyst Mike Fisher offers another. “If you’re targeting Warren and have to settle for another tight end, you’re ‘drafting for need’ … and you are screwing yourself,” Fish says. Not a big stats guy with the Wolverines, but Loveland was quietly productive, surpassing 500 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his last two college seasons. Boasting good speed and possessing a well-rounded route tree, Loveland could be seen as Fields’ No. 2 “receiver” given his traits and how he plays.
His athleticism and ball skills will make him a Day 1 hit in New York, as Fields gets a solid second option behind Wilson as the new era for the Jets continues to move in a positive direction. There are other avenues the Jets could go here, but getting Fields another weapon nearly has to be what the franchise does at No. 7, and in Loveland, they get a solid pass-catching option.