With the college all-star circuit in the books and the Senior Bowl in our rearview mirrors, the path to the NFL Draft is becoming clearer and players are starting to make their case to rise up draft boards.
As we enter Super Bowl LVII week, let’s whip up a fresh seven-round mock draft for the Jets using the Mock Draft Simulator from Pro Football Focus. Let’s get started.
No. 13 - Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Jets land the last of the big three offensive tackles and solidify an offensive line that will also be returning Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mekhi Becton — at least the hope is the latter can stay healthy.
No. 44 - John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
The Minnesota center dominated at the Senior Bowl and the Jets may be parting ways with Connor McGovern. Schmitz would step in from day one as the starting center.
No. 74 - Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
An eventual change will need to be made at the safety position as that was easily the weakest position group last season. Getting a player like Battle in the third round adds depth early on and an eventual starter down the line to replace either Jordan Whitehead or Lamarcus Joyner.
No. 112 - Zach Pickens, DL, South Carolina
The Jets will hope to lock up Quinnen Williams long-term and also try to re-sign Sheldon Rankins. Beyond that, there’s room to add depth and a player like Pickens, who logged 42 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season for South Carolina.
No. 145 - Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia
Another wide receiver that made some noise in Mobile with the position group as a whole looking good but no elite prospect. With Corey Davis and perhaps also Braxton Berrios not returning in 2023, Wicks would be a very good-looking WR4 for the Jets behind Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims.
No. 179 - Dylan Horton, Edge, TCU
With ten sacks in 2022, Dylan Horton was a key part of TCU’s defense in their run to the National Championship Game. The Jets still want to develop Jermaine Johnson and hope to keep Bryce Huff, but they’ve shown a willingness to rotate defensive linemen and adding Horton in the sixth would be a nice addition to that rotation.
No. 185 - SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pittsburgh
The Jets add a developmental option at the linebacker position with their final pick of the draft. Dennis had 91 tackles and seven sacks for Pittsburgh in 2022 and made the trip to Mobile.
