Perfect Picks 2023: New York Jets
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - Broderick Jones (Offensive Tackle, Georgia)
Once the Aaron Rodgers drama comes to an end, the Jets will need to prioritise protecting the veteran star. They shouldn’t really be in this position. Drafting Mekhi Becton was seen as the long-term solution but concerns over his fluctuating weight and a season-ending knee injury mean he has become a rather large question mark.
As expected, in my mock draft, the run on offensive tackles came just before the Jets reached the podium. With Skoronski and Paris Johnson already taken, I selected Georgia’s Broderick Jones. To me, he shouldn’t be considered as a consolation prize. He is long, young and mobile. The tackle pulls with speed and power. Of course, it’s not perfect. At times he is off-balance and easy to manhandle but there is power in his mitts. He has huge upside and has dominated at the SEC level. If Becton realises his potential then they have two young bookends.
Round 2 - Luke Wypler (Center, Ohio State)
The Jets can be happy with the draft picks they invested in the defense last year. With that in mind, they can afford to double dip along the o-line with their first two picks here. The departure of Connor McGovern to divisional rivals Buffalo means there is a glaring hole on the interior of their line.
While Ohio State’s Luke Wypler may be considered undersized it doesn’t show up too much on film. For a 6’3, 300lbs lineman he shows enough anchor to stand up against top level defensive tackles. Where he does excel is athleticism. Posting a 8.52 RAS score put him top athletically of the interior offensive linemen at the combine. He has quick, choppy feet and can get to every level when blocking. He would be a solid, if not spectacular, addition for the remodelled Jets offense.
Mid Round Gem - Isaiah McGuire (Edge Rusher, Missouri)
Carl Lawson’s cap hit is likely going to be a hurdle for the Jets this offseason. With Rodgers likely to come on board, Lawson’s current number of $15 million plus looks steep for the level of production he has given since moving from the Bengals. While a contract revision seems more likely than a clean cut, it means the Jets will need to add pass rush help.
At 6’4, 268lbs you would expect Isaiah McGuire to project as more of a base end but it is his pass rushing that catches the eye. The Missouri edge rusher logged 7 sacks in the SEC and flashes power and speed. Better from a 2-point stance, McGuire can get erased on running plays which would make him a rotational piece to begin with but he has the requisite traits to develop into more.
Late Round Sleeper - Dorian Williams (Linebacker, Tulane)
The Jets were quick to re-sign off ball linebacker Quincy Williams in the offseason and re-pair him with the more expensive CJ Mosley. While those two look settled as starters there is certainly scope to add better depth behind them.
Tulane had an impressive year in 2022 and linebacker Dorian Williams was a big part of it. He had a bounceback year, logging 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. What’s even more impressive is his play in coverage. He earned a grade of 77.9 from PFF when defending the pass and with a RAS score of 8.54, he is exactly the type of athletic, mobile linebacker the NFL loves. If he is still on the board at this point, the Jets would love to add him to the roster.
Draft In Full:
Round 1 – Broderick Jones (Offensive Tackle, Georgia)
Round 2 – Luke Wypler (Center, Ohio State)
Round 3 – Jammie Robinson (Safety, Florida State)
Round 4 – Isaiah McGuire (Edge, Missouri)
Round 5 – Dorian Williams (Linebacker, Tulane)
Round 6 – Caleb Chandler (Offensive Guard, Louisville)
