It is April. You know what that means.
Mock Draft Season is here!
This year’s draft feels like an afterthought with the Jets because of the Aaron Rodgers trade saga.
Instead of the focus being on who the Jets will add in the draft, this year’s focus is on what they may give up to get Rodgers.
I expect at least one of the second-round picks to be gone for Rodgers by the time the draft gets here, but in this exercise we’ll draft with the picks the Jets currently own.
We used the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator to help us out and here is what we came up with for the Jets 2023 draft:
Round 1, No. 13 overall: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
There has been a lot of discussion about the Jets using this pick on an offensive tackle, but I think defensive tackle is the bigger need right now.
This may change if they sign a veteran before the draft.
Give me Kancey, who had 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 starts for the Panthers last year.
At 6-foot-1 and 281 pounds, Kancey ran a 4.67 40-yard dash and was ranked the most athletic DT at the combine according to NFL.com Getty ImagesHe is undersized but could form a terrific interior pass-rushing duo with Quinnen Williams.
Round 2, No. 42 overall: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
The Jets drafted two Buckeyes last year, and Garrett Wilson won Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Wypler is from New Jersey and could fill a gaping hole in the middle of the offensive line.
I wonder if the Jets will be reluctant to go with a rookie at center with the arrival of Rodgers, but they are running low on options in free agency.
Wypler was a two-year starter on one of the best O-lines in college football and has elite athleticism despite his undersized stature Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesWypler is known as an athletic center who can get to the second level and is a capable puller.
The Jets have been searching for stability at center since Nick Mangold left.
Round 2, No. 43 overall: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
C.J. Mosley is still the man in the middle for the Jets but he won’t be around much longer.
The Jets also have not re-signed Kwon Alexander, leaving a hole at the third linebacker spot.
Henley is known as a speed demon who can play sideline to sideline.
He also can take the ball away. He had five interceptions in college and three forced fumbles.
Round 4, No. 112 overall: K.J. Henry, Edge, Clemson
We’re getting into the value portion of the draft.
Henry had 147 career tackles and 13.5 sacks during his 58-game career at Clemson Diamond Images/Getty ImagesEdge rusher is not a need for the Jets but Henry can add depth to a group that Robert Saleh loves to rotate.
Henry had 3.5 sacks for the Tigers last year and is known as a high-character guy who was a team captain, something Joe Douglas values greatly.
Round 5, No. 143 overall: Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State
Another Buckeye from New Jersey coming to the Jets.
Jordan Whitehead and Chuck Clark will be the team’s starting safeties this year but the Jets need to start adding depth and youth here.
Hickman could be a special teams contributor who eventually becomes a starter.
Round 6, No. 207 overall: Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue
The Jets could use a developmental quarterback to go behind Rodgers and Zach Wilson.
O’Connell was a walk-on in 2017 and became Purdue’s starter from 2021-2022, putting up 7,202 yards and 50 TDs in that time Getty ImagesO’Connell is a project but that’s what you get in the sixth round.
O’Connell could sit and watch this year and possibly be a backup in 2024.
