Jets 2023 Mock Draft Roundup: Experts believe Gang Green will bolster offensive line with pick No. 13
The Jets' once-promising season did not end the way they'd like, as the team finished with a 7-10 record and extended their playoff drought to 12 straight years.
GM Joe Douglas and Co. are in desperate need of an answer at quarterback as Zach Wilson's time as the starter appears to be over. The team hired Nathanial Hackett as offensive coordinator, leading many to believe they will pursue Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers via trade. Rodgers isn't the only veteran the Jets are expected to target, as Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr is another option who's searching for a new home.
New York owns the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and could use that as part of a trade package for a new quarterback. However, QB isn't the team's only need and there should be plenty of options available for them on Thursday, April 27.
Here’s who some of the experts have Gang Green selecting in their latest mock draft’s...
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus
OT/G Paris Johnson (Ohio State)
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.
OT Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
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.
OT Broderick Jones (Georgia)
General manager Joe Douglas had done an admirable job investing resources in the offensive line, but do to mostly injuries and some underperformance, it's still a big position of need. Broderick Jones has the frame and the athletic skillset to adequately protect whichever veteran QB is under center in 2023.
OT/G Paris Johnson (Ohio State)
Mekhi Becton has been a huge disappointment, so the Jets may use this pick to find a new offensive tackle. Paris Johnson has good athleticism for an offensive lineman, and he can play both tackle and guard.
Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports
OT Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
A quarterback falling here would be nice, but that didn’t happen. Instead, the Jets can bolster their offensive line with Skoronski, who can start at either tackle spot and would give the Jets flexibility as far as their roster decisions go.