With the 2022 off-season gearing up, the New York Jets face a truly pivotal period in hopes of turning their fortunes around. But what does Douglas, Saleh and Co need to do to become a respectable team again?
Writing a mock draft at this time of year is almost futile. Come March 14th (when the legal tampering period opens), this Jets team will look different. Regardless, mock drafts are an opportunity to explore the current roster holes and project the positional needs to be filled in the draft.
Joe Douglas has always maintained building a team through the draft. Whilst this will still be the case entering his third offseason with the Jets, the last two years have seen a combined six wins – not good enough even with an Adam Gase season included. Douglas could attack this offseason harder than in the past, through FA and trades resulting in changing positional needs.
So, let’s fill some of the current holes on our roster pre-FA to get an idea of the direction the 2022 Jets may head.
Round 1 is all about getting blue-chip players who’ll be on the team for the next decade. It’s fair to say the Jets record in round 1 of late has been inconsistent. The jury is still out on Becton, Douglas’ first pick with the Jets. When on the field, it is clear his potential is All-Pro. His issue is he not being on the field enough. 2021’s pair of Wilson and AVT had flashes. Zach had his moments but was more bad than good whereas Vera-Tucker looked like a guy who could be on our OL for the next 10 years.
So who could we add this year?
The dream for me is Kayvon Thibodeaux, the edge rusher from Oregon. Every offseason we hear about the curse of John Abraham and how the Jets haven’t had a player with double-digit sacks since Abraham in 2005. Kayvon projects to be a real disruptive force who can end that streak. Before the 2021 season, Thibodeaux seemed destined to be the #1 pick in the 2022 season. That buzz has died down and now there are questions about where exactly he will fall – Daniel Jeremiah in his mock draft 2.0 has the Falcons at #8 snagging him. If he makes it past the Texans at 3, we should be running the card for the Oregon edge in and not looking back. A DL consisting of Thibodeaux, a healthy Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams and JFM could be scary for opposing OLs.
Oregon’s Edge Kayvon Thibbodeaux
If at #4 Thibodeaux is off the board it becomes trickier. Adding another body to the OL would be in play with the Ickey Ekwonu from NC State being an option. Ekwonu has played nearly every position on the line so could start his career as a guard for the Jets and make his way to tackle at another point.
I say this for approximately 90% of the Jet fans, don’t let it be Kyle Hamilton, the safety from Notre Dame.
Our second first-round pick is clearer – give Zach more talent to work with. The top WRs may not compare to the likes of Jamar Chase, Jaylen Waddle or Devonta Smith from last year’s draft but there is certainly talent there that will give the Jets more talent on the outside. Drake London, Treylon Burks, Garrett Wilson are all options at #10. Each brings a different skill set that could elevate the Jets offense. London is a giant of man, at 6’5 he projects as an outside receiver who can high-point and bring down catches all over the field. Burks is a different beast that will cause DCs headaches with the ball in his hands. Wilson creates separation with a great initial burst off the line and great hands to reel in any ball. For now, I would like to see Burks selected.
Arkansas’ WR Traylon Burks
A corner will be consistently mocked to the Jets at #10 and therefore Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr being options. It is understand as to why Jets fans may be reluctant to draft a cornerback that high, but can the team really afford to turn their nose up at quality talent as they possessed the 32nd ranked defence?
Cincinnati’s CB Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner
I write this knowing it won’t stand the test of time. The Jets have the capital to make any move they desire. A trade for a veteran WR is entirely possible. A trade down from either spot is an option with a QB-needy team choosing to jump up the board. As mentioned previously, the needs of this team will look different after FA, but in the meantime, this may project to be a path the New York Jets will pursue.
Bottom Line: With the QB position filled and a lot of weaknesses still needing to be addressed, the Jets have several roads to go down for the draft. It’s difficult to determine what the Jets will do pre free agency, but they must use their resources shrewdly.
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