The second round of the draft created mixed emotions for receivers coach Shawn Jefferson. The Jets selected wide receiver Denzel Mims with the 59th pick. For a few fleeting moments in the Jefferson household, there was hope the pick would be Shawn's son, Van, a well-regarded wideout who went to the Rams at No. 57.
"My son was like, 'Hey, dad, I hope I can become a Jet. I would love to play for you,'" Jefferson said. "He was excited. He really wanted to come and play for the Jets. As it started ticking down ... we got a phone call and I was like, 'Oh, man!' At the same time, I was just sad. But at one point, I was elated and happy for him because he put in all the hard work. His childhood dream came to fruition."
The elder Jefferson laughed.
"The thing I'm most happy about is I don't have to take care of him anymore," he said. "He can take care of his own self."
"My son was like, 'Hey, dad, I hope I can become a Jet. I would love to play for you,'" Jefferson said. "He was excited. He really wanted to come and play for the Jets. As it started ticking down ... we got a phone call and I was like, 'Oh, man!' At the same time, I was just sad. But at one point, I was elated and happy for him because he put in all the hard work. His childhood dream came to fruition."
The elder Jefferson laughed.
"The thing I'm most happy about is I don't have to take care of him anymore," he said. "He can take care of his own self."