The 2022 NFL Draft is coming up in just a couple months, and its every Jets fan’s favorite time of year: mock draft season. The New York Jets are in a great position to do some damage, too, with four picks in the top 38, as well as nine total picks, all in the first five rounds.
Every year when draft season comes around, there is always debate around which positions are bigger needs for the team. This year, the most common position fans want to improve, in no particular order, are wide receiver, tight end, offensive guard, cornerback, safety, and edge defender. With that being said, here is the first 2022 TGH New York Jets Mock Draft.
Ikem Ekwonu step in and start immediately on a rebuilt Jets offensive line.
Ekwonu is the definition of ‘mauler.’ The dude is an absolute monster in the run game, regularly tossing people out of the way. He plays real nasty as well, something Joe Douglas and the Jets seem to value heavily. Furthermore, he can play either tackle position, which becomes relevant depending on how Mekhi Becton looks upon return, and he can even slide inside to guard. He is a more than capable pass blocker, and will be an above average starter from Day 1.
London is a big body wide receiver in the mold of Mike Evans. In his game he shows traits similar to Evans as well as A.J. Brown, both of which have been incredible during their NFL careers. Not only does he give the Jets a great possession receiving threat, a huge need, but he does a lot with the ball in his hands as well. He regularly breaks tackles after the catch, and he can win contested catches consistently. Additionally, word at the 2022 Senior Bowl is that Joe Douglas and Co. are in love with London, so they probably pull the trigger here at pick number 10.
There is always the case that they trade pick and accumulate more capital if they aren’t in love with anyone on the board at this pick, but London probably goes not too long after this pick anyways. He gives Zach Wilson a great third receiver to throw to.
Trey McBride gives the Jets a true pass-catching #1 Tight End, something they haven’t had since Dustin Keller. (Picture via CSU Athletics)
McBride is the best tight end in this year’s draft class. During the Senior Bowl game, Jets Tight Ends Coach Ron Middleton described McBride as a ‘meat and potatoes player,’ which should say a lot about a guy. Not only does he have the Coach Middleton stamp of approval, he has the stats to back it up. While he only had one touchdown in his Senior season, he also had 90 receptions for 1,125 yards.
While he leaves a little to be desired in terms of run blocking, he has shown enough in that area that he wouldn’t be a complete liability. If the Jets were to target him here, they should also sign a notable tight end in free agency like Dalton Schultz or David Njoku. Adding him after London to this Jets passing attack is exactly what Wilson needs in terms of an upgrade.
Ebiketie played his 2020 season at Temple, and it was there that he really put his name on the map. He finished his last season at Temple with four sacks, nothing to write home about, but he got noticed enough to transfer to one of the best teams in the Big Ten. At Penn State in 2021, he finished with nine and a half sacks and 52 pressures. He is mostly known as a pass rusher, a player who wins with speed and bend around the edge. He gives the Jets a lot of juice coming off the edge, something they really struggled to find in 2021 after Carl Lawson went down with an Achilles injury in the preseason.
Jalen Pitre comes in and boosts the Jets defensive secondary depth, but he could even wind up starting from Day 1. (Our Daily Bears)
While Pitre may not be here for the Jets in real life come draft time, in this mock draft the simulator allows it, and the Jets pounce. Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh seem to be somewhat set on Bryce Hall, Brandin Echols, and Michael Carter II as their three cornerbacks of the future, but they need some more talent in their defensive backfield. Whether they do it in free agency or not, they should look at some late round corners such as Pitre, Coby Bryant from Cincinnati, or even Jojo Domann from Nebraska.
Pitre played more of the Slot cornerback role at Baylor, but he would be a valuable late round asset for the Jets. Playing the tape against Oklahoma, his presence is felt on the literal first play. Watching the rest, it shows how much he can do on the field. He is great in man coverage, and he is a willing and able run defender.
Joseph was a standout on the Illinois defense, and he was able to make plays all over the field, but mostly over the top in single high looks. He adds a good depth piece in the Jets porous secondary, and he likely wouldn’t crack the starting lineup for a while. If they opt to take a safety late in the draft, it would have to be paired with a big safety signing in free agency, potentially Marcus Williams or Jessie Bates.
Pierce was heavily under-utilized at Florida under Dan Mullen, and after an electric week at the Senior Bowl, the Jets use this pick to give Michael Carter a nice compliment in the backfield. He is more of a power back than Carter, he has no problems stepping up to pass protect, something Carter has shown little ability in. Pierce is another piece added on offense for the young QB.
Tyler Smith could come in and challenge for a starting offensive line spot in the next couple of seasons. (Tulsa Athletics)
Smith is a player that should be climbing draft boards until the very day of the draft. Here in the fifth round, the Jets get an absolute steal. Smith is a nasty run blocker, a player who will pile drive defenders into the ground and let them know it. He represents exactly what Joe Douglas is looking for, sort of like Ekwonu, and he could develop into a long time starter in the NFL with the proper coaching.
Calvin Austin is the pick here because of his ability to get in open space and make people miss. This pick also comes with the expectation that the Jets move on from Braxton Berrios, which could happen if he doesn’t budge on his (reported) $9 million asking price. With Jamison Crowder also departing, the Jets would be in desperate need of a true slot receiver, and Austin is exactly that. At 5-foot-7, 173 pounds, he is small and shifty, but he can make people miss and runs nice routes in the short area.
Overall, this is a great haul for the Jets. They hit every single major area of need, though one could argue every position is a need for this team. They add multiple weapons on offense, some more offensive line depth, and talent at every level on defense. Obviously, this mock takes out the possibility of a trade, which is a very viable option for the Jets in April.
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