The first and second waves of free agency descended upon us like wildfire to give us the craziest offseason in a long time. Marquee QBs were traded, big contracts were doled out, and teams doubled down on their reputation for not caring about anything else except winning (looking at you, Ohio). New York Jets General Manager Joe Douglas dabbled in the big money pool with reported interest in now Ravens Safety Marcus Williams, but saved the big bucks for new RG Laken Tomlinson. He, also, gave his young QB two young ascending players at TE, but curiously was not in on any of the edge rushers or wide receivers available. This probably means we can guess which way the draft will go for the New York Jets when it comes to the first round at least: pass rusher and pass catcher. With that in mind, I now bring you my second mock draft of the offseason for Gang Green. This will include trades, of which I think Joe Douglas makes two. This is also very much a "what I think Joe Douglas will do" kind of mock. Let's take this back like a Matt Stafford pass down the stretch.
4. EDGE Jermaine Johnson II:
Again, this isn't the move I'd make, but it is the one I think Douglas and Head Coach Robert Saleh make if they truly believe that Kayvon Thibadeaux doesn't "love" football enough or whatever slander is thrown out now. Johnson had 17.5 sacks last year for the Seminoles, is quick off the snap, and has enough juice to be a productive edge rusher at the next level. In an ideal world, the Jets would take him in the teens, but they opt to take him here to pair him with a returning Carl Lawson.
10. WR Drake London:
I have London as WR5 in this class behind Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Treylon Burks, and George Pickens. However, the Jets opt for the big somewhat polished target out of USC who wins on contested catches but also gets open a good amount. He's not Wilson in terms of running routes, and he's not Burks with the ball in his hands, nor does he have the speed that Olave has, and he doesn't have the injury history Pickens does, but he really is the compromise WR for fans of those three. He doesn't have elite separation, but given his catch radius and ability to use his hands he would help Zach Wilson tremendously.
Trade:
The New York Jets trade the 35th pick to the Washington Commanders for the 47th and 113th picks in the 2022 draft and a 2023 4th rounder.
I think it is increasingly likely that the Jets do not pick at the top of round two and opt to trade back and net an extra asset or two. Here, they make this move with Washington, who believes they have a window in the NFC East.
38. S Jaquan Brisker
Instead of wrongly taking Kyle Hamilton in the top 10 to play that free safety role for this defense, the Jets smartly wait until round two and take the former Nittany Lion. Familiar with manning the deep safety in the cover 3 Penn State ran, as well as with versatility to come into the box or cover the slot, Brisker immediately slots in behind Lamarcus Joyner to start before eventually taking over the starting position. Brisker and newly-signed Jordan Whitehead have the chance to form a dynamic duo at safety.
47. LB Leo Chenal
The Jets need to find CJ Mosley's running mate and eventual replacement in this class. Chenal led the Badgers in both tackles and sacks last year, and is both a fearless hitter and incredibly smart player. With Mosley slimming down to cover tight ends and backs, Chenal can be that enforcer next to him that helps in the run game. He's a leader that won't allow this defense to slack off, or to be labeled "soft" like Fletcher Cox did.
Trade:
The New York Jets trade the 69th pick in the draft to the Baltimore Ravens for the 76th and 119th picks in the draft and a 2023 6th rounder
The 2nd trade of this draft for Joe Douglas sees him send the 69th pick for two assets in this class and one next year.
76. RB Tyler Allgeier:
The Jets have Michael Carter as their 1A back, and this pick is them getting their 1B back, so that we never have to see Ty Johnson take meaningful snaps again. Allgeier has good vision and footwork, and is a downright physical runner. He is a menace to bring down, and will bring a much needed change of pace to the Jets running game. He isn't the most elusive back in the class, but he could be the guy who softens the defenses up while Carter gashes them, or the one who finishes defenses off after Carter's run over them. He'd be a good addition to this team.
111. WR Christian Watson:
Doubling up on WR for the Jets is the smart thing to do considering the lack of depth. While London should start from day one next to Davis and Moore, Watson is Joe Douglas taking an eye to the future by drafting the potential Corey Davis replacement. Watson wowed everyone at the combine, but this feels like the right place to take him as opposed to in the top 100. A big and athletic playmaker, he doesn't get the separation you'd like to see from a guy his size. However, he could contribute right away given his size and speed.
113. OT Luke Goedtke:
I've said this before: the Jets continue to not invest in their middle class, but that does seem to be changing with them retaining Braxton Berrios and re-signing John Franklin Myers last year. This pick is with an eye towards improving the tackle depth behind Mehki Becton and George Fant, as only Chuma Edoga is behind them right now. Goedtke displays good leverage and lateral mobility, and he knows how to use his hands at the point of attack. He might be better inside long-term, but I do think he could develop into an average RT at the next level.
117. LB/CB JoJo Domann:
The Jets placed a premium on versatile defensive backs that can play closer to the line/transition to LBers with the selection of Hamsah Nasirdeen and Jamien Sherwood. JoJo Domann is the natural evolution of that, as the 230 pound OLBer can both stop the run and cover and doesn't have to come off the field when teams go to more spread formations. Domann could fill the role Kwon Alexander was supposed to play for the 49ers when he received his big contract. He's an older prospect due to multiple ACL injuries, but his versatility and ability to play in any scheme makes him great value in round four.
119. IDL Neil Farrell Jr.:
The Jets lost Foley Fatukasi in free agency, and now only have Jonathan Marshall behind Quinnen Williams and Sheldon Rankins. Taking Neil Farrell Jr. is a step towards rectifying that, as he has an explosive first step and the kind of quickness the Jets want to see from their IDL. Farrell displays a high motor, which will endear him to the Jets, but he has to improve his hand usage so he can be more effective. As a 4th/5th IDL, this is a good spot for him to go since he can develop behind Q and Rankins while contributing on passing downs.
146. TE Jelani Woods:
With CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in the mix, the need for TE isn't as prevalent, but the Jets would be wise to take a swing at a high upside TE that they can develop into potential insurance for their two TEs (Conklin is only signed for a year). Woods is, frankly put, a monster at 6'7" and 269 pounds who will contribute from day one in the red zone. He's a mismatch nightmare who can secure the ball in traffic and then impose his will in the open field. Three TE sets in the red zone with Woods, Becton, and Tomlinson clearing the way for Allgeier? Yes please.
163. C Cam Jurgens:
The Jets would, also, be wise to draft the potential replacement for Connor McGovern and that could be the former Cornhusker. Jurgens is smaller than you'd like to see your Centers, but he has high upside with excellent athleticism and explosiveness. With McGovern only signed through this upcoming season, Jurgens could sit behind him and bulk up before taking over between Tomlinson and Alijah Vera Tucker in 2023. In fact, the Jets theoretically could add their future C and RT (if George Fant leaves and Becton moves back to LT) in this class. Wouldn't that be nice?
239. P Matt Ariaza:
The Punt God. 'Nuff said.
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Depth Chart post NFL Draft:
QB: Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco
RB: Michael Carter, Tyler Allgeier, Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson
WR: Corey Davis, Drake London, Elijah Moore, Christian Watson, Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith
TE: CJ Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, Jelani Woods, Kenny Yeobah
OT: George Fant, Mehki Becton, Chuma Edoga, Luke Goedtke
OG: Alijah Vera Tucker, Laken Tomlinson, Dan Feeney
C: Conor McGovern, Cam Jurgens
DE: Carl Lawson, Jermaine Johnson, Josh Martin, Nathan Shepherd
DT: Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, Jonathan Marshall, Neil Farrell Jr
OLB: JoJo Domann, Hamsah Nasirdeen, Jamien Sherwood
ILB: CJ Mosley, Leo Chanal
CB: DJ Reed, Bryce Hall, Michael Carter II, Brandon Echols
S: Jaquan Brisker, Jordan Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner, Ashtyn Davis