2022 NFL DRAFT DEEP DIVE: NEW YORK JETS
By Callum Squires
The NFL Draft is over, and we cannot head into the three-month abyss that is the offseason without looking at what all 262 selections mean for each franchise. Whilst too early to judge just how successful a draft class each team’s was, we can look at how rookies fit within schemes, where they stand on depth charts, and who we can expect to make an impact in 2022. We continue our team by team series with the New York Jets:
Draft Haul
| RND | PICK | PROSPECT | POS | SCHOOL |
| 1 | 4 | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 1 | 10 | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 1 | 26 | Jermaine Johnson | EDGE | Florida State |
| 2 | 36 | Breece Hall | RB | Iowa State |
| 3 | 101 | Jeremy Ruckert | TE | Ohio State |
| 4 | 112 | Max Mitchell | OT | Louisiana |
| 4 | 117 | Micheal Clemons | IDL | Texas A&M |
Day One
Following a largely forgettable rookie season for last year’s number 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, highlighted by “the Mike White era,” the New York Jets found themselves ONCE AGAIN picking right at the top of Round 1, starting with #4 and #10. In other years, the Jets have flattered to deceive with their selections, with questionable moves and confusing thought-processes causing the dearth of talent currently in Gang Green’s possession. However, this year… was different! The Jets were aggressive and precise, moving back up into Round 1 and grabbing pick #26 as well as the aforementioned two top ten choices.
With their haul of Day 1 picks, the Jets first selected Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB from Cincinnati. Saleh’s iconic reaction of yelling “SAUUUUUUUUCE” down the phone to Gardner upon informing the former Bearcat of his selection was electric, and showed the excitement in New York at securing – for me – the best cornerback in this draft. Gardner is seemingly as close to a sure thing in the NFL Draft, having never (yup, NEVER) given up a touchdown in 3 years of play at college.
Then, at #10, the Jets gave Zach Wilson both a weapon and a namesake, picking up Garrett Wilson, WR from Ohio State. The “Wilson to Wilson” era begins in the meadowlands. Garrett is the weapon that Zach desperately needed, and joins Elijah Moore and Corey Davis as the pass catching crew for New York. Wilson creates separation with ease and will surely build an immediate rapport with his new QB, as the two seek to build a viable offense that has been lacking for so long for the Jets.
Lastly, making moves back up the board, GM Joe Douglas went and got “one of his guys” according to reports. Jermaine Johnson, DE from Florida State, and former Last Chance U star, had fallen down the board, and there didn’t appear to be any obvious red flag reason why. There was a run on Wide Receivers following the Garrett Wilson pick, and a run on Offensive Lineman as the round went on, but the Jets were making calls to try and add an explosive edge rusher that they really needed. Having taken Gardner over Thibodeuax at 4, it wasn’t a surprise that the Jets coveted Johnson, and as the price to move up went down as the round wore on, eventually a deal was struck. Johnson is a great addition for the Jets, who have to find a way to contain Josh Allen if they ever wish to compete in the AFC East. Getting a top 10 talent at #26 is surely the steal of this entire draft.
Day Two
If Day 1 was all about essential additions for the Jets, Day 2 was a “talent-hunt” day, adding RB and TE which were not necessarily the main priorities but added talent to the roster that could develop into superstar producers. When you’re starting from where the Jets are… good players are a good thing, regardless of position.
Despite moving back up into Round 1 late on, the Jets still managed to trade up into an early Round 2 spot, and used it to add the consensus best Running Back in the draft, Breece Hall from Iowa State. Hall gives the Jets something different compared to Michael Carter (who they selected last year). He’s got size and athleticism that made him the most coveted rushing threat in college football last season… More on him later
Later on, in Round 3, the Jets selected Jeremy Ruckert, TE from Ohio State. Taking their second Buckeye of the Draft, the Jets added an intriguing playmaker who can learn from free agent acquisitions CJ Uzomah & Tyler Conklin. Obviously, those two are more for the present, with Ruckert earmarked as a big future contributor, but don’t be surprised if Ruckert manages to make some plays even as a rookie. He’s a tough blocker (essential in what is likely to be a team that wants to run the ball), and has the ability to develop as a pass catching threat.
Day Three
The Jets traded most of their later round capital in order to move up on both Days 1 & 2 and snag value players that had slid somewhat. On Day 3, the Jets finally added an Offensive Lineman, taking Max Mitchell, OT from Louisiana. The Jets needed additional support up front to protect Zach Wilson and create running lanes for their backs, and last year’s big choice Mekhi Becton has a lot of uncertainty surrounding his availability and staying healthy. Many thought the Jets might try to address this need earlier, but Mitchell looks to be a solid 4th Round pick up given his size and athleticism.
With their 7th and final pick in the 2022 Draft, the Jets added another edge rusher, in Micheal Clemons, from Texas A&M. Clemons was a divisive choice, with some loving how gigantic he is (6’5”, 263lbs), but others pointing out he can be a bit stiff with his technique, and will also be 25 years old before the season starts, potentially limiting his career longevity. But, late in the 4th Round (#117), taking a swing on Clemons’ upside was more than fair as the Jets seek to build a fearsome defense in Saleh’s ideal image.
One To Watch: Breece Hall
The obvious (and correct answer) is Garrett Wilson, who will surely be one of this year’s breakout stars, provided he and Zach Wilson can get on the same page. However, I’m going to circle someone else as one to watch: Breece Hall. Maybe I’m crazy, but I love the Jets adding a Running Back who has the potential to be a star. His mixture of speed and power, coupled with his size, will likely make him a favourite of his coaches pretty quickly.
Breece Hall was drafted with pick 36 of round 2 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.96 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 7 out of 1632 RB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/nU6qsuhlgP #RAS #Jets pic.twitter.com/Owp4Ac6zaY
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2022
Robert Saleh cut his coaching teeth with the 49ers, who normally utilise a carousel of backs, and the Jets may well fall into that too with Michael Carter, Ty Johnson, & Tevin Coleman all on the roster. But Hall has the tools to be the main man in this offense. Sadly, it seems like the era of a team having ONE truly dominant running back might be over (excluding Derrick Henry in Tennessee), but if given the reins Hall might take them and run. He scored 50 touchdowns in just 36 collegiate games, including at least 1 in an FBS record 24 straight games, and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Obviously there’s a step up to the NFL, but Hall will put fear into opposing defences in the AFC if he can get going.
UDFA Tracker
| Keshunn Abram | WR | Kent State |
| Tony Adams | S | Illinois |
| Irvin Charles | WR | Indiana (PA) |
| Zonovan Knight | RB | NC State |
| DQ Thomas | LB | Middle Tennessee State |
The Jets only added 5 UDFA’s, with LB DQ Thomas from Middle Tennessee State arguably the most likely to make an impact on the final roster. Joe Douglas gave him over $130,000 in guaranteed money, and despite being smaller than your average NFL linebacker, Thomas showed enough in his college days to potentially make the leap to the NFL. That said, the Jets are going to need to be far more reliant on the draft choices than their UDFA’s to have any success in 2022-23.
Conclusion
The 2022 NFL Draft may be looked back upon in the future as “the day the Jets stopped being the Jets.” Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh have made HUGE strides in improving this roster with an active draft weekend, adding talent and depth to a roster that needed both. When the mainstream media – who will usually jump at any opportunity to criticise New York teams – are roundly praising you, you know you’ve done well.
Douglas and Saleh must have been elated by the end of the draft. 7 choices, all of whom appear to make sense and have the talent and potential to help rebuild this roster and franchise. There’s a long road ahead for the Jets – certainly, they won’t be challenging the Buffalo Bills for the division crown this year – but this appears to be a firm first step in the right direction. The Jets are starting to look ready to #TakeFlight.
CALLUM SQUIRES
CFB/NFL ANALYST
CALLUM IS FROM LONDON, BUT PLAYED COLLEGE SOCCER AT TRINITY UNIVERSITY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, WHERE HE LEARNED NEVER TO CHEER FOR THE COWBOYS. CALLUM IS A LONG-SUFFERING DOLPHINS FAN WHO BELIEVES THE TUA HYPE. NOW BACK STATESIDE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @CALLUMJDSQUIRES!