JETS COUNTRY DRAFT SERIES: Potential Offensive Line Pickups for Joe Douglas' Crew

Gang Green will have opportunities to find a starting center and a tackle reinforcement with its six picks in the 2023 NFL Draft

The New York Jets’ offensive line group looked far from elite throughout the 2022 season. 

Then, there's the fact that the two projected starting tackles cannot be relied upon for the long term. 

Although he displayed toughness and effectiveness last year, Duane Brown will be 38 years old in time for the 2023 season opener. Meanwhile, once thought of as a franchise tackle, Mekhi Becton hasn't played in a regular season game since 2021.

The Jets have yet to secure a center to replace unsigned free agent Connor McGovern and this Draft will offer adequate options at the position into the middle rounds.

“I think they would benefit to add themselves a center,” said NFL Draft Bible founder Ric Serritella. “Jon Gaines out of UCLA, Juice Scruggs out of Penn State, these are two guys that can be had in the mid-to-late rounds that possess starter qualities.”

Not to mention, insurance for an oft-injured position group is likely on general manager Joe Douglas’ radar. 

With room to improve along the front five, Douglas can target a number of capable prospects featured in the 2023 NFL Draft class. 

Bookends Peter Skoronski (Northwestern), Broderick Jones (Georgia) and Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State) have all made mock draft appearances as the Jets’ first-round pick and all three project to land in the Top 20.

Outside of the top-tier tackles that the Jets may consider at the No. 13 spot in Round 1, the Draft pool features enough promising prospects across all offensive line positions. 

Here are five available offensive line prospects who could potentially help the Jets in 2023.  

Five O-Line Prospects for Gang Green

C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Schmitz Scouting Report:

Ht: 6034 | Wt: 301 | Hand: 0948 | Arm: 3258 | Wing: 7838 | 40: 5.35 

Schmitz started all but one game over the past three seasons for Minnesota. The 6-foot-3 center, who put up 26 bench press reps during Combine testing, earned 2022 All-America First Team honors. 

Schmitz owns a late first-round grade and will likely go somewhere inside the Top 50 as the first center off the board. 

NFL DB Intel: “If you’re going to draft a center early, Schmitz is the guy. Experience, good technique and intelligence are some of the most important qualities in a starting center and Schmitz has all of them. He does a fantastic job sustaining blocks, using great technique and an impressive anchor.” 

C Juice Scruggs, Penn State

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Scruggs Scouting Report:

Ht: | 6032 | Wt: 301 | Hand: 1028 | Arm: 3328 | Wing: 8200 | 40: 5.22 

Scruggs logged 26 consecutive starts on Penn State’s offensive line over the past two seasons. Starting at center for the entire 2022 campaign, the 301-pounder served as a team captain for the 11-2 Nittany Lions. 

The 6-foot-3 center recorded the second-highest vertical jump (32”) amongst interior offensive line participants while showing raw strength by pounding out 29 reps on the 225-pound bench press during Combine testing. 

NFL DB Intel: “On film, the best way to describe Scruggs is that he does his job. Whether at guard or center, he got the most out of his natural ability. In pass protection, part of Scruggs’ problem is his sluggish feet. Scruggs possesses a low center of gravity and is stout at the point of attack—unrelenting to give up his position.” 

OT Tyler Steen Alabama

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Steen Scouting Report:

Ht: 6050 | Wt: 321 | Hand: 1048 | Arm: 3268 | Wing: 8048 | 40: N/a 

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 started all 13 games for the Crimson Tide, who featured the nation's fourth-ranked scoring offense. 

The 2022 All-SEC Second Team selection, who put up an impressive 31 reps on the 225-pound bench press, permitted only 12 quarterback pressures the entire season. Including his final three seasons at Vandy, Steen completed his collegiate career by making 46 consecutive starts. 

NFL DB Intel: “Notably, Steen has a consistent leg drive and the ability to push the pile. He can wall off the backside, eliminating any pursuit or cutoff by edge players. Despite playing tackle at Alabama, Steen projects as a guard—and a starting-caliber one at that, too. He should not last longer than the second or third round.” 

OT Cody Mauch, North Dakota State

Mauch Scouting Report:

Ht: 6050 | Wt: 302 | Hand: 0968 | Arm: 3238 | Wing: 7978 | 40: 5.08

The 6-foot-5 Mauch, who owns easily recognizable hair and a partially-toothless smile, garnered back-to-back Division I FCS All-America selections and finished his North Dakota State career with 62 appearances.

Mauch made a habit of manhandling defenders in run blocking as Bison ball carriers averaged 6.0 yards per rush in 2022. The North Dakota kid, who moves well in space, saw action as a pass-eligible tight end during the 2019 season before becoming NDSU’s full-time left tackle for the 2021 spring campaign.

Mauch’s 40-yard dash (5.08) ranked him amongst the top-third of the offensive line prospects who were timed at the NFL Combine. Matching Ohio State behemoth Paris Johnson Jr., the battled-tested Mauch, who held his own during Reese’s Senior Bowl Week, put up 29 reps on the 225-pound bench press. 

NFL DB Intel: "Mauch is an excellent athlete who possesses ideal lateral and vertical agility to mirror defenders in pass protection or climb to the second level and pick off linebackers in the run game. He quickly climbs to the second level and is always looking for work."

C/G Jon Gaines, UCLA

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Gaines Scouting Report:

Ht: 6040 | Wt: 303 | Hand: 1018 | Arm: 3358 | Wing: 8078 | 40: 5.01

Gaines started all 13 games for UCLA at right guard in 2022, but the battle-tested Bruin also has starting experience at center. The 6-foot-4 interior lineman racked up 44 appearances over the course of his five-year collegiate career.

The versatile Gaines ran a fast 40-yard dash (5.01), tying for sixth overall out of 36 linemen clocked at the NFL Combine. Meanwhile, his 7.31-second three-cone drill was the fastest in the entire position group. 

NFL DB Intel: “When looking at Gaines II, the positives start with his speed and explosiveness. He gets off the ball well and is an easy mover. When asked to pull, he shows off impressive speed, getting to his spot quickly. Gaines is at his best working in space. He can play all five positions and has been praised for his cerebral awareness. One of the true steals of the 2023 NFL Draft.”

WATCH: Jets Country Draft Series Positional Breakdowns 

The Jets currently own six total selections, including three top-43 picks, in the 2023 NFL Draft, which kicks off with Round 1 on April 27. The second and thirds rounds will transpire on April 28 followed by Rounds 4 through 7 on April 29.

READ MORE:

Jets Country Draft Coverage

Ric Serritella's NFL Draft Bible

Two More Analysts Link Jets to First-Round Bookends

Three Offensive Tackles Worthy of the Jets’ No. 13 Overall Selection

Mr. Jones Set to Visit Broadway ahead of 2023 NFL Draft

SI's Matt Verderame Identifies Jets' Draft Needs