2023 Jets Country Full Team Mock Draft (Version 1.0)
It’s the final Mock Draft Monday of the 2023 National Football League Draft season and it’s time to unveil Jets Country’s full team mock.
The New York Jets head into the Draft with six selections on hand, although one of those picks is likely headed to the Green Bay Packers for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets do not currently hold spots in the third and seventh rounds. The third-round pick was sent to the Cleveland Browns as part of the Elijah Moore trade. The 2023 seventh-round selection went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last spring.
After dealing one of their two second-rounders, Gang Green made five total picks in the 2023 Jets Country Mock Draft 1.0.
Despite the widely-held view that the Jets will target a top-tier offensive tackle at No. 13 overall, Joe Douglas and Co. were presented with the opportunity to an elite skill position prospect in Round 1 of Jets Country’s simulations.
Jets’ brass proceeded to address the offensive line in Rounds 2 and 4 before turning to the defensive side of the ball with their final two selections.
Jets Country Full Team Mock Draft
13 JETS (R1): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The top receiver prospect falls to No. 13 and he offers too good of a value to pass up at this spot. Reuniting him with former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson presents a dangerous proposition for opposing defenses to handle.
Playing alongside first-round draft picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Smith-Nijba set Ohio State single-season records for receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606) in 2021. Persistent hamstring problems limited the explosive pass-catcher to only three games in 2022.
42 JETS (R2) (via CLE): Traded to Green Bay Packers
It has been widely speculated that one of the Jets’ two second-round draft picks will be included in the trade compensation package for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Sending the four-time NFL MVP to Gang Green on Draft Night, Green Bay gets Pick No. 42 in 2023 along with a conditional second-rounder in 2024.
43 JETS (R2): Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
After passing on a tackle in Round 1, Gang Green picks up an accomplished offensive lineman in Round 2. Steen seamlessly slid in as Alabama's starting left tackle in 2022 after transferring from fellow Southeastern Conference member Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6 bookend, who put up 29 reps on the 225-pound bench press, started all 13 games for the Crimson Tide. He’s shown the potential to kick inside at guard, if needed.
Alabama OT Tyler Steen practicing at the Reese's Senior Bowl
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
112 JETS (R4): Jon Gaines II, iOL, UCLA
The Jets need a long-term answer at center and this Draft features a handful of middle-round prospects with starter qualities. Gaines started all 13 games for UCLA at right guard in 2022, but the battle-tested Bruin also has starting experience at center. He tested well in the 40-yard dash (5.01) and three-cone drill (7.31) at the NFL Combine.
143 JETS (R5): Kaevon Merriweather, FS, Iowa
Exactly 10 years ago, Iowa safety Micah Hyde was selected in Round 5 by the Green Bay Packers. Although he has ways to go to match the All-Pro Hawkeye, Merriweather appears to sport a similar build to Hyde. The 6-foot Merriweather, who displays the athleticism desired at the position, earned All-America Second Team (AP) honors in his first season as a full-time starter.
207 JETS (R6) (from SF-HOU): Isaiah Land, OLB, Florida A&M
The most-intriguing HBCU prospect in the 2023 draft class lands with the Jets in Round 6. Land spent much of his Florida A&M career harassing the passer, but he showed well as an off-ball linebacker while practicing at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The 2021 Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award winner (top DI FCS defensive player) piled up 37.0 tackles-for-loss over his last 20 games in a Rattlers’ uniform.
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