Final Offensive Draft Rankings
All this work only to be proven wrong in under 48 hours.
☀️ Good morning,
Can you taste it? Draft night is just around the corner and we’re just over 24 hours away from discovering who the first members of the Jets 2022 draft class will be.
Today I’m going to reveal my final rankings for the offensive side of the ball, and tomorrow I’ll touch on the defensive side.
☝️ Tom Pelissero has said that some teams only have 15 prospects with first-round grades this year, which may lead to a volatile back-end of the draft. He names 7 players who would be surprise first-round picks, although I think I’d be more surprised if guys like Lewis Cine weren’t first-round picks at this point.
🤬 Tony Pauline had an interesting note around Woody Johnson, with a source confirming to him that the Jets owner would be “very involved” in this year’s draft. There were no details beyond that so I don’t know what that means. Could he have veto power over certain selections? It’s his team so of course he could, but that would be a bit foolish to overrule the people you pay to make the decisions that you don’t have the expertise or experience to make.
5️⃣ The Jets decided to pick up the 5th year option on Quinnen Williams 5th year option for 2023 according to Albert Breer. This basically means he’s got his salary guaranteed for the next two years. The Jets need to add to that interior, but locking up Quinnen was the right move and made sense on pretty much every single level. He’s produced for the Jets, but I think there’s so much more to come. Joe Douglas did say this was the plan when he spoke to the media at the combine, but maybe this is going from the plan to officially happening.
💯 Connor McGovern has declared himself 100% healthy following his late-season MCL injury which ended his season: "I'm 100 percent," McGovern told Eric Allen on the most recent Official Jets Podcast. "I've been running, squatting, jumping, cleaning, snatching. I'm back to being able to play a game. If this was in season, I'd be 100 percent practicing every day and playing every snap. I feel really good.”
🙌✍️ Bilal Powell signed a one day contract to retire as a Jet and I couldn't be happier about that. Powell was an outstanding player on the field and an even better human being off it. He spent his entire career from 2011 to 2019 with the Jets totalling over 3600 rushing yard and 15 TDs. He also had over 200 receptions out the backfield. Happy retirement Bilal.
With each positional group, I have highlighted one player who I believe to be the best fit for the Jets. I’ve based this on a number of factors:
Player production and potential
Positional value
The team need at the position
Scheme fit based on player skillset
On the chart, I’ve color-coded them for the grade I have on them personally, not the round I believe they’ll be drafted in. So while I have a 2nd round grade on Charlie Kolar from Iowa State, I don’t think he’ll go in the 2nd round of the draft.
QB - Cole Kelley - The Jets don’t need to spend anything on a QB this year which is why I’ve selected a high upside developmental UDFA prospect as the ideal fit. He’s big, strong and had a ton of production. He’s also a former 4* recruit so the talent has always been there.
RB - Tyler Allgeier - Possibly my favorite running back in the draft and he would add a real power element to our game, softening up defenses for Michael Carter. I firmly believe in Tyler’s pro potential and the combo of him and Carter could be elite for the next few years. Also gives Zach a former teammate and another layer of comfort.
WR - Garrett Wilson - I was close to moving Olave to the top of my positional listing, but I’m sticking with the guy I’ve had all around. Wilson is an outstanding prospect and would give the Jets a dynamic 1-2 punch with Elijah Moore.
TE - Charlie Kolar - The Jets aren’t going to spend a premium pick on a TE and while I think Kolar is an outstanding option who’s a reliable set of hands and + contested catcher, others seem to have him lower. Signing CJ and Tyler doesn’t mean the Jets can ignore a deep draft at the position.
OT - Zach Tom - I’m not in favor of selecting a tackle at the top of the draft but you could likely get Tom in the 3rd round. He’s an outstanding technician with versatility across the offensive line, I imagine he’ll land at center in the pros but he could easily play tackle IMO.
OG - Lecitus Smith - After drafting AVT and going out to sign Laken Tomlinson, the Jets will likely wait to draft a guard, if they draft one at all. Lecitus has the athletic ability to play in our zone scheme and he has enough power to move people off the ball.
C - Cole Strange - No surprises here for anyone who reads TJW. Strange is my #2 ranked center and he has everything the Jets will need going forward, he’s a guard by trade but with his build, a life at center is probably on the horizon and I think he’s a 10-year starter in the NFL, especially in our system.
🔗 Ryan Moran of Jets X Factor asks the question “Is linebacker a bigger NY Jets Draft need than many realize? “The New York Jets‘ need for a linebacker has been discussed throughout the offseason. No difference-making veteran was signed in the first or second wave of free agency. This position is currently led by veteran C.J. Mosley. Alongside him, it would be ideal for New York to add a starter in the mid-rounds of this draft”
I absolutely agree with Ryan that it would be ideal to hit on an LB in the middle rounds. I’d consider taking one in the 2nd round if by any chance Nakobe Dean fell, I’d certainly take Chad Muma in the 2nd as well. If I had to put money on a player I’d say it will be Brandon Smith in the 4th. Just a hunch.
🔗 NFL.coms Bucky Brooks released his final mock draft of the season yesterday and he had the Jets taking Travon Walker “The versatile frontline defender gives Gang Green a top-notch run defender with raw pass-rush skills” and Drake London “The big-bodied pass catcher will expand the strike zone for Zach Wilson in the passing game” - You only need to take one peak at my rankings above to realize how much I’d hate that.
No better way to get Jets social media fired up than to say Woody is involved in the draft. The "I didn't get into specifics" part is why I'm inclined to see this as a click bait move by Tony. This is such a "bombshell" why not dig in to your sources and find out how much he is involved? He just posts exactly what he knows will get the fan base and NFL pundits tweeting.