The Jets season is over and now is a perfect time for my first Jets offseason mock draft. The Jets have 4 picks in the top 40 picks and 9 in the first 5 rounds. If Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh could replicate what they did last year they should be able to fill a lot of the holes on the roster. I will be using the NFL Mock Draft Database’s mock draft simulator.

TRADE:

Broncos Receive: Pick 4, Pick 113, and a 2023 4th Round Pick

Jets Receive: Pick 9, Pick 60, and a 2023 2nd Round Pick

I think this is a trade that makes sense for both sides. The Broncos can move up to four if they like a QB like Pitt’s Kenny Pickett and the Jets can move back and get two more second-round picks. There is a bit of a talent drop-off after the top three players in this draft in Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Evan Neal so if the Jets do not love anyone else a trade back to a QB needy team would make sense.

Round 1 Pick 9:

Charles Cross OT, Mississippi State

After trading back from four the hope would be that either Ikem Ekwonu or Charles Cross would be there at pick nine and in this scenario Cross made it. With questions around Mekhi Becton, Morgan Moses being a free agent, and George Fant entering the last year of his deal I have a hard time not seeing the Jets take an offensive tackle. They have two top ten picks and there are three offensive tackles worthy of top ten picks.

Cross is built perfectly for an offensive tackle in the NFL. He is 6’7″, around 310 pounds, and moves very well for his size. Cross is an amazing pass blocker only allowing 2 sacks in 719 pass-blocking reps per PFF. He didn’t have as many run-blocking reps but he showed promise in the ones that he did. Cross will only be 21 years old when he plays his first NFL game so he still has so much more room to improve as well. If Becton can stay healthy, a tackle duo of him and Becton will massively help out the Jets offense.

Round 1 Pick 10:

Garrett Wilson WR, Ohio State

Speaking of guys that will help the Jets offense, Garrett Wilson is the pick at ten. The argument for the Bengals last year was whether they should take LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase or Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. They took Chase and although he is amazing the Bengals offensive line is still an issue. The Jets do not have to choose, they can get both an offensive tackle and receiver in the top ten like in this scenario.

Wilson would fit in perfectly with the Jets receivers and offense. He is fantastic as a route runner and after the catch. He can play inside and out and has drawn comparisons to Stefon Diggs. Wilson along with Elijah Moore and Corey Davis would give the Jets a well-rounded top three receiver group and would allow Braxton Berrios to stay in the fourth receiver role if he is brought back.

Round 2 Pick 35:

Roger McCreary CB, Auburn

The Jets might look to add a corner through free agency as they are already very young at the position but if they don’t McCreary would be great value at the top of the second round. McCreary is a great athlete and is very good in both man and zone coverages. He is an aggressive player and one of his biggest strengths is being able to get to the ball and get pass breakups. McCreary along with Bryce Hall on the outside, Michael Carter II in the slot, and Brandin Echols filling in where needed would be a great young cornerback room.

Round 2 Pick 38:

Jaquan Brisker S, Penn State

One of the biggest weaknesses for the Jets this season was the safety play. LaMarcus Joyner and Marcus Maye both had season-ending injuries and neither seems like they will be back next season. Ashtyn Davis and Jason Pinnock showed some flashes but should not be counted on to start next season. Jaqaun Brisker is another great player to get in the second round. He is another young defensive back the Jets can add that is smart, athletic, and versatile. He plays good in the box and has shown some flashes as the deep safety as well. Brisker plays the game physically and is a good hitter in the open field as well as blitzing.

Round 2 Pick 60:

Isaiah Spiller RB, Texas A&M

Running back does not seem like that big of a need but Isaiah Spiller would be a good pick in this spot. Michael Carter looked great at times for the Jets but he was banged up a little bit and neither Ty Johnson or Tevin Coleman stepped up in his place. Pairing Spiller with Carter would make the running game a real threat. He is a much bigger back than Carter and more of a power guy but he can still contribute on all three downs. Spiller has very good contact balance and is durable enough to take big hits. Spiller would be a perfect partner in crime to Michael Carter.

Round 3 Pick 69:

Jamaree Salyer OL, Georgia

The offensive line would already be in a good spot after the Cross pick but adding a guard like Salyer could complete it. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was a good pickup at the deadline but he might not be back and Greg Van-Roten seems like a cap casualty so there is a hole at right guard. Salyer played tackle at Georgia but will probably move inside to guard at the next level. At guard, he will be a big, strong, and athletic guard with the versatility to move to tackle if needed.

Round 4 Pick 107:

Jeremy Ruckert TE, Ohio State

The pick every Jets fan wants. The Jets will coach Ruckert at the Senior Bowl and after Ruckert’s father’s response to the news, I think every Jets fan would want to see him in green and white. The Jets have a big need at tight end and this is a very strong free agency class for tight ends. If the Jets can get someone like David Njoku and pair him with Ruckert at this spot, all of the sudden there are two talented tight ends on the Jets roster. Ruckert is a good athlete and blocker at the position. His calling card to NFL teams would seem to be his ball skills. He has made some great catches and could become a good red-zone threat in the NFL.

Round 5 Pick 144:

Matthew Butler DL, Tennessee

Probably the most unrealistic aspect of this mock draft is that I have yet to take a player on the defensive line. We all know how much they value having a rotation of players there so we will now finish the draft with two guys on the defensive line. Matthew Butler is a versatile player they can use on the defensive line rotation next year. He is a high effort player and constantly made plays both in the run and pass game for Tennesee.

Round 5 Pick 161:

Boye Mafe EDGE, Minnesota

Finally, as I mentioned another player on the defensive line, this time the edge spot. Boye Mafe is another high effort and versatile player the Jets can use in the rotation next season. He has great burst off the edge and has a high ceiling. Mafe would give the Jets someone to develop and possibly start for them in the future.

Follow me on Twitter!

Sideline Swap Price Drops – Up to 35% Off Already Discounted Sports Gear SidelineSwap.com

Follow us on Twitter!

Go check out our Shop!