Mock Draft Monday: Two More Analysts Link Jets to First-Round Bookends
Two different mock drafts using two different methods came to the same conclusion with the New York Jets selecting an offensive tackle at No. 13 overall.
First, NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein paired the Jets with Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones.
Explaining his methodology, Zierlein prefaced his NFL.com article by writing, “As always, I am projecting where I believe players will go, not necessarily where I think they should go.”
PICK 13 - New York Jets – Broderick Jones (OT), Georgia
“If the Jets and Packers finally agree to an Aaron Rodgers trade, protecting the quarterback will be crucial. Jones can compete right away at right tackle and offer insurance at left tackle.” - Lance Zierlein
Jones was the third offensive tackle selected in Zierlein’s latest mock draft. First, the Philadelphia Eagles made Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski the No. 10 pick. Then, the Las Vegas Raiders, who slid down into the No. 12 slot by making a hypothetical trade with the Houston Texans, grabbed Tennessee’s Darnell Wright one spot in front of the Jets.
Ohio State’s Paris Johnson, Jr., who has been linked to Gang Green on a number of occasions during mock draft season, went to the Washington Commanders at No. 16 overall in Zierlein’s predicted draft order.
Georgia LT Broderick Jones speaks to media at the 2023 NFL Combine
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Following Zierlein by two days, NFL Network personality Adam Rank released his first-round projections on April 6. He explained the process behind the picks by writing, “Here's the deal: This isn't a predictive mock. Instead, this is a recommendatory mock. It's what I would do with each pick.”
Rank recommended the Jets select Skoronski at No. 13 overall.
PICK 13 - New York Jets – Peter Skoronski (OT), Northwestern
"You absolutely killed last year's draft, ultimately sweeping Offensive (Garrett Wilson) and Defensive (Sauce Gardner) Rookie of the Year honors. Now it's time to get a lineman to help protect your (presumed) quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. I like Skoronski because he's from Park Ridge, Illinois, where this mock drafter was born. But he also grew up a Packers fan because his grandfather played for the team, so he can fanboy out with his (presumed) new quarterback." - Adam Rank
Skoronski was the first offensive tackle off Rank’s board.
Rank placed Johnson with the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 17 overall and sent Jones to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two picks later.
As for whether to choose Skoronski or Jones if both are available to the Jets at No. 13 in Round 1, scouting reports show legitimate pro potential for both bookends.
Jones, a two-time National Champion at Georgia, looks fast on game film and ran fast at the NFL Combine. The 6-foot-5 blindside protector topped all offensive line participants by running the 40 in 4.97s.
The 2022 All-Southeastern Conference First Team selection (AP) measured with 10.5-inch hands and 34.5-inch arms at the Combine. Jones is reportedly taking one of the Jets’ 30 allotted pre-draft prospect visits.
Skoronski, a highly-graded pass blocker, won the 2022 Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award. Other than the fact that he measured with relatively short 32.5-inch arms, his draft profile is highly appealing.
The highly-refined Skoronski finished second overall amongst all offensive line participants in both the broad jump (9’7”) and vertical jump (34.5”) at the 2023 NFL Combine. The 6-foot-4 tackle, who some project as a guard in the pros, put up 30 225-pound reps on the bench press during testing.
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