New York Jets Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

Some might project him as an NFL guard, but I'm putting Skoronski in the "tackle until proven otherwise" category for now. He's not long for the position, and GM Joe Douglas has favored size and length there, but I think Skoronski could be an exception.

The New York Jets' defense turned the corner in 2022 but the offense still has work to do. With an exciting stable of young weapons, it shifts the focus to the offensive line, where the Jets have plenty of question marks. Dawand Jones has rare length and power with exciting movement skills for a man of his stature. He can lock down the right tackle position for the Jets.

The line needs an infusion of more talent. If Michael Mayer doesn't fall here, the Jets will have a slew of good blockers to choose from.

No matter who is at quarterback for the Jets moving forward, they'll need a cleaner pocket in which to operate. Jones ticks off just about every box you could after being the left tackle for the back-to-back national champions.

The Jets have a playoff-caliber defense right now, and while there surely are more dramatic questions to be answered on offense, finding a solid long-term tackle here feels like a fairly smart move. Broderick Jones has work to do, but his athleticism and toughness should help him get there.

Someone has to protect Aaron Rodgers ...

Yes, figuring out quarterback is a huge need in New York. In announcing Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator, Jets head coach Robert Saleh indicated that the organization would look at a veteran option, and almost immediately the connections between Hackett and Rodgers were made.

Assuming QB is not a pick here, the Jets need to solidify their offensive line. Making sure they have the five best options up front is a priority for Joe Douglas. Harrison is athletic, with quick feet for a tackle of his size, and helps get the Jets one step closer to getting their best five in front of the quarterback next season. With the impending return of Mekhi Becton — who moved to right tackle last season — Harrison now gives the Jets their left tackle for 2023, and beyond.

Whoever that is.

Broderick Jones had had a strong '22 campaign for the Bulldogs, where he faced some of the best defensive players in the country every day at practice for the past two years.

I pondered an Aaron Rodgers trade here. I really did. But Rodgers' contract is so complicated with what's flexible and what's not that, until there is more clarity about how the Jets and Packers could feasibly get a pre-June deal done, I didn't even want to take a stab at it.

So, ultimately, we get back to basics, and that is a damn good offensive line prospect who could help the Jets out, regardless of whether Mekhi Becton pans out. Johnson recorded an 83.5 pass-blocking grade on 790 snaps at right guard in 2021 and then posted an 80.8 pass-blocking grade on 848 snaps at left tackle in 2022. He feels like a natural offensive tackle, but a drafting team will be able to get good production out of him anywhere.

I thought about an offensive lineman here, but let's instead reunite my top-ranked receiver in this class with my top-ranked receiver in the 2022 class. The Jets picked Garrett Wilson at No. 10 last April, and he had 83 catches for 1,103 yards as a rookie. But in 2021, his teammate Smith-Njigba was the Buckeyes' top wideout, as he put up 1,606 yards, doing damage mostly out of the slot. After an injury-plagued 2022 in which he caught just five passes, however, there are big questions about his health -- he had a nagging hamstring injury -- headed into the draft.

I'm a big fan of Smith-Njigba, and I think he could be a star in the right situation. New York likely will have a new starting quarterback in 2023, and that passer will have to get support around him. This offense has a chance to be much improved. The Jets had a stellar draft last year; Smith-Njigba would be a great start for this one. And yes, I know, this makes it back-to-back top-15 picks on receivers for the Jets, but Smith-Njigba is worth it because of what he and Wilson can do together.

Finding some stability on the offensive line is one of general manager Joe Douglas' priorities.

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