Mel Kiper's latest 2021 NFL mock draft had a surprising pick for the Jets

Hmmm!

It seems all but certain that it’ll take all of one pick before the 2021 NFL draft will arrive at a VERY intriguing moment that will change the direction of the first round.

The assumption is the Jacksonville Jaguars will take Trevor Lawrence, the once-in-a-generation quarterback from Clemson with the No. 1 overall pick.

Then come the New York Jets. Will they take a new quarterback — Ohio State’s Justin Fields? BYU star Zach Wilson? — with that selection? Or will they choose to go in a different direction while also keeping QB Sam Darnold, who will enter just his fourth NFL season after spending three without a lot of the great offensive weapons who could help him out?

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has a thought with his latest NFL mock draft: he had the Jets taking Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith from Alabama, giving Darnold what he needs the most right now. Here’s his reasoning:

 My feeling right now is that yes, Darnold’s stats are ugly, but he’s only 23 and he has had no offensive talent around him for three years. Do the Jets really want to move on from him and watch him thrive elsewhere? That’s why they could give him a one-year audition under Saleh, pick the Heisman Trophy winner at No. 2, and give Darnold one more shot to put all of his talent together. Smith is the true No. 1 target that Darnold hasn’t had.

That gives other QB-needy teams the chance to grab Wilson and Fields. Extremely intriguing!