The week of the draft has finally arrived, so final mock drafts will be coming soon. This edition of the Jets’ mock uses the new simulator recently unveiled by ESPN. We’ll post our final mock draft Thursday, the day of the draft. With that, let’s get started and start fixing the Jets’ offensive line.
No. 16 (projected trade with WAS) - Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
With the top three tackles all off the board, the Jets decide to drop a few spots to gain an extra pick. They swing a deal with Washington, thinking they would come up for an offensive tackle, but the Commanders took Nolan Smith. So the Jets still get a tackle they can slot in at right tackle in Wright and pick up a third-round pick (No. 97 overall) in the process for moving down three spots.
No. 42 - John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
The Jets also get their center in round two as Schmitz is sitting there for the taking and the Jets aren’t letting him get past in this case. Whether he starts right away or sits behind either Ben Jones or Connor McGovern or whoever, Schmitz gives the Jets a long-term solution at center.
No. 43 - Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
The Jets also can use some extra help on the defensive line, especially some young talent. That’s where Benton comes in. He can play all over the line and has a knack for getting behind the line of scrimmage. In 2022, Benton recorded 4.5 sacks and ten tackles for a loss. He and Quinnen Williams can form a nice tackle duo for some time.
No. 97 (projected trade with WAS) - Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
With the trade-down in the first round with Washington, the Jets essentially get their third-round pick back (minus about 20 spots) that they traded to Cleveland in the Elijah Moore deal and they use that to add to their safety room, a position that lost Lamarcus Joyner and will eventually lose Jordan Whitehead. They did acquire Chuck Clark, but he’s only locked in for one year.
Battle may not be the strongest or rangiest safety, but he can help down in the box against the run.
No. 112 - Luke Schoomaker, TE, Michigan
It’s possible the Jets add to their tight end room in this draft and when the Jets got on the clock in the fourth round, Schoonmaker was on the board and then the talent dropped off a bit to the rest of the board. So the Jets bring in Schoonmaker here, a player that can be a nice possession tight end for the offense. He can start as a No. 2 tight end and develop into a solid No. 1 for the Jets and with the current group, he’ll have plenty of opportunity to develop, along with, at least they hope, Jeremy Ruckert.
No. 143 - DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Overshown gives the Jets a rangy linebacker that can move around and make tackles. Being a former safety, Overshown can bring those instincts to the linebacker room. He doesn’t have to be thrust into action with C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams still around. Overshown would start as a core special-teamer and add good value there as well.
No. 207 - Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
The Jets take a sixth-round flyer on a wide receiver in Jones that can help inside and make catches — Jones led the FBS with 110 receptions in 2022 and had 1,361 yards and 12 touchdowns — and also give the team an option in the return game — averaged 8.1 yards per punt return and 21.3 yards per kick return in his career with a return touchdown in both.
