2023 New York Jets' Draft Tracker: Meet the Team's Seven Selections

Recording, and subsequently analyzing, each pick made by Gang Green during the three-day NFL Draft

The New York Jets entered the 2023 NFL Draft Week holding five total selections, all in the first five rounds.

Gang Green used its first-rounder on an edge rusher, taking Iowa State's Will McDonald at No. 15 overall. Prior to the Jets' pick, four offensive tackles went off the board. 

With no top-tier bookends available, general manager Joe Douglas elected to add some pop to the team's pass rush. McDonald, a 2022 Division I FBS All-American, tied the Big 12 Conference's career sacks record (34.0). 

Ohio State's Paris Johnson, the first offensive tackle taken, went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 6 overall. Tennessee's Darnell Wright wound up with the Chicago Bears at No. 10 overall. Northwestern's Peter Skoronski landed at No. 11, going to the Tennessee Titans. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up ahead of Gang Green, moving into the No. 14 spot and snagging Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones. 

The Jets did not pull a surprise move and trade back into Round 1, so their Thursday night ended at No. 15. 

In Round 2, Green Bay selected Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave at No. 42 overall, using the pick they acquired from the Jets in the Rodgers' deal. 

Then, the Jets went offensive line at No. 43 overall, securing Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann. 

Jets Legend D'Brickashaw Ferguson, a 10-year starter at left tackle, announced the second-round pick on stage Friday in Kansas City. 

With no Round 3 selection, Gang Green hit the clock again in Round 4. 

Joe Douglas and Co. went back to the well for more offensive line help on Saturday. The Jets snagged Pitt offensive tackle Carl Warren at No. 120 overall, picking eight selections later than originally scheduled in the fourth round as a result of trading with the New England Patriots. 

Gang Green added to its stable of running backs in Round 5, using the No. 143 overall choice on Pittsburgh's Israel Abanikanda. 

The Jets did not have a sixth-round pick entering the Draft, but added one through its fourth-round deal with New England and, subsequently, added another through a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Early in Round 6, Gang Green added Western Michigan linebacker Zaire Barnes at No. 184 overall. The Jets addressed their defensive secondary prior to the completion of the sixth round, making LSU cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse the No. 204 overall selection.

Meet the 2023 Jets' Draft Picks

EDGE WIll McDonald, Iowa State (Round 1, No. 15 overall)

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Ht: 6035 | Wt: 239 | Hand: 0948 | Arm: 3478 | Wing: 8228 | 40: 4.68e

The three-time All-Big 12 Conference First Team selection is a "linear pass rusher who offers initial explosion and suitable bend." (NFL Draft Bible)

More than 34 percent of his tackles at the collegiate level resulted in a loss. He started all 12 games for the Cyclones last year, closing out his career with 54 total appearances.

McDonald totaled 36 stops, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss, and four pass deflections in 2022. The 6-foot-3 edge defender made at least 5.0 sacks in each of his past four seasons.

NFL Draft Bible Excerpt: "Linear pass rusher who offers initial explosion and suitable bend. Despite notable play strength, he is certainly lighter than most four-man front players. His loose ankles, upfield explosion, and consistent motor make him a sufficient prospect. He’ll need to bulk up for the pros but should still hear his name called early."

C Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin (Round 2, No. 43 overall)

Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ht: 6060 | WT: 313 | Hand: 1068 | Arm: 3268 | Wing: 8038 | 40: 5.02e 

The 6-foot-6 Tippmann made 22 starts at center over the past two years for the Badgers, earning good grades as a run blocker and pass protector. 

Tippmann, a three-time Big Ten Conference All-Academic Team honoree, earned 10 starts at center in 2021 before holding the job throughout the entire 2022 campaign. 

Last fall, the center accounted for the team's best run blocking grade (78.0) in Pro Football Focus' assessments. Meanwhile, over 338 pass blocking snaps, he was charged with only one sack and five pressures 

NFL Draft Bible Excerpt: "An athletic, powerful center who excels at framing blocks and climbing to the second level, Tippmann is a converted high-school tackle with a high-end athletic profile. He has the athleticism and speed to land blocks on linebackers and defensive backs as a puller. His balance raises some concerns as he ends up on the ground a fair amount."

OT Carter Warren, Pittsburgh (Round 4, No. 120 overall)

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Ht: 6053 | Wt: 316 | Hand: 0928 | Arm: 3528 | Wing: 8500 | 40: 5.15e

Warren totaled 40 appearances (39 starts) during his Pitt tenure, which began as a redshirt freshman in 2017 after starring at New Jersey's Passaic Tech High School. 

The Garden State-born bookend kicked off 2022 by logging four starts at his customary left tackle position, but he missed the remainder of the season due to an undisclosed injury. 

NFL Draft Bible Excerpt: "The gritty Warren is a veteran offensive lineman with a quick kick slide and excellent arm length, but his lack of athleticism in space and struggles as a run blocker suggest he’s in for a bumpy ride at the NFL level. He’s a four-year starter with more than 2,700 career offensive snaps who saw his 2022 season cut short by an undisclosed injury."

RB Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh (Round 5, No. 143 overall)

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ht: 5110 | Wt: 217 | Hand: 0828 | Arm: 3200 | 40: 4.41

Abanikanda, a New York City product, averaged 5.6 yards per carry over 30 career games with the Pitt Panthers. The 5-foot-10 running back enjoyed a sensational 2022 campaign, winning the Atlantic Coast Conference rushing title on his way to All-American honors.

NFL Draft Bible Excerpt: "An explosive home run hitter who quickly blows past the second level, Abanikanda is a one-cut and go running back with elite acceleration and burst. His quick feet and change of direction ability allows him to cut it outside in a jiffy, showcasing the ability to switch from east-west, to north-south. Abanikanda battles for yards after contact."

LB Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan (Round 6, No. 184 overall)

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Ht: 6013 | Wt: 233 | Hand: 0900 | Arm: 3200 | Wing: 7638 | 40: 4.56

Barnes ended his WMU career by earning back-to-back All-Mid-American Conference selections, making 25 appearances over the past two years.

The 6-foot-1 linebacker, who has 4.56 (40-yard dash) speed, caught the attention of scouts at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena this past January. 

NFL Draft Bible Excerpt: "An explosive linebacker with great range, Barnes flashes the footwork, hips, motor and balls skills to be a highly effective run and chase tackler who can also drop back in coverage. While he is not overly physical or rugged and instincts are just adequate, Barnes demonstrates extremely impressive movement skills."

CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, LSU (Round 6, No. 204 overall)

SCOTT CLAUSE / USA TODAY Network

Ht: 6006 | Wt: 196 | Hand: 0968 | Arm: 3228 | Wing: 7918 | 40: 4.40

The 6-foot Bernard-Converse put his versatility on display during his lone season in Baton Rouge. After transferring from Oklahoma State, the Louisiana native split time at safety and cornerback in 2022. He totaled 13 appearances (nine starts) for the Tigers.

NFL Draft Bible Excerpt: "He possesses excellent speed and recovery quickness. In addition, Bernard-Converse has fluid athleticism and hips, along with great smarts. The Shreveport native is a physical corner who will step up in the run game. Bernard-Converse demonstrated toughness this past season, battling through a handful of nagging injuries."

TE Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion (Round 7, No. 220 overall)

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Ht: 6073 | Wt: 255 | Hand: 1028 | Arm: 3400 | 40: 4.55

The 6-foot-7 Kuntz, a former Penn Stater, possesses unicorn-like physical characteristics that could translate into on-field success in the NFL. He compiled the highest @NextGenStats "Athleticism" score (94) of the entire tight ends group at the 2023 NFL Combine 

NFL Draft Bible Excerpt: "A big, tall, athletic, strong pass-catcher with a P5 pedigree, Kuntz has emerged as one of the most dynamic tight end prospects in the nation. Blessed with great size and speed, Kuntz can stretch the field or serve as red zone mismatch. He runs solid routes and displays superb quickness. An adequate blocker, he especially thrives in run blocking."

2023 NYJ SELECTIONS LOG

Round 1 (No. 15 overall (from GB)): Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa State 

Round 2 (No. 43 overall): Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin

Round 4 (No. 120 overall): Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh 

Round 5 (No. 143 overall): Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh

Round 6 (No. 184 overall (from NE)): Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan 

Round 6 (No. 204 overall (from LV)): Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB, LSU

Round 7 (No. 220 overall (from LV)): Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

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