Chuma Edoga
AP Photo/Butch Dill

The New York Jets ended the middle portion of the 2019 NFL Draft by adding offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, an old and new Sam Darnold comrade.

What’s old is new again for Chuma Edoga.

The offensive tackle from the University of Southern California was chosen by the New York Jets in the third round (92nd overall). Edoga had previously served as a blocker for current Jets quarterback Sam Darnold in Los Angeles.

The Jets’ extra third-round selection was obtained from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater last August. That pick was subsequently traded up one spot with the Minnesota Vikings, who also received the Jets’ seventh-round selection (217th overall). Minnesota then traded the 93rd selection to Baltimore.

Edoga’s USC career was somewhat marred by missed games due to numerous issues. Injuries and a violation of team rules limited him to nine games in 2016. A sprained ankle kept him out of two games last season. But he played all 12 games last year, a campaign that ended in second-team All-Pac 12 honors.

Previously, Edoga was a first-team Parade All-American while starring in his native Georgia. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Edoga to his new teammate and fellow blocker Kelvin Beachum in pre-draft scouting.

“His ability to get to blocks in a variety of positions from his initial stance is something that cannot be taught,” Zierlein wrote. “To become a successful NFL starter, he needs to check the strength, maturity, and durability boxes as early as possible in his career.”

Edoga worked with Darnold during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Trojans went 21-6 in the two-year span, the first of which ended with a victory over Penn State in the 2017 Rose Bowl.

Ex-Jets receiver and returner Brad Smith was on hand to announce Edoga’s selection.

With the trade to Minnesota, the Jets’ remaining picks will come at the 105th and 196th in tomorrow’s concluding day.

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