Three Offensive Tackles Worthy of the Jets’ No. 13 Overall Selection
Duane Brown will be 38 years old in time for opening day and Mekhi Becton hasn't played in a regular season game since 2021.
For those reasons alone, the New York Jets should target an offensive tackle in the early rounds of the 2023 National Football League Draft (April 27-29) in Kansas City.
Gang Green has three top-50 selections at its disposal and should be able to find a tackle with starting ability during the first two rounds.
Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones has been linked to the Jets at No. 13 overall in recent mock drafts by Ric Serritella (NFL Draft Bible) and Ian Cummings (Pro Football Network). Big Ten tackles Paris Johnson, Jr. and Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) both carry first-round draft grades and could be available when the Jets are on the clock.
Barring any unforeseen surprises, at least one of the three top-tier bookends should be there when Gang Green makes its first-round selection.
“I don’t know if any tackles are taken in the Top 10, but I think you may see five big men come off the board in between Picks 10 and 20,” said Serritella.
Here’s the skinny on the three aforementioned prime prospects.
Paris Johnson, Jr., Ohio State
Ht: 6063 | Wt: 313 | Hand: 0948 | Arm: 3618 | Wing: 8518 | 40: N/a
The consensus five-star prospect out of high school gained starting experience at guard and tackle while competing for Ohio State. After serving as the right guard for the entire 2021 campaign, the 6-foot-6 Johnson made the successful transition to left tackle for 2022.
Johnson, who possesses incredible length, measured 36-inch arms and an 85-inch wingspan at the NFL Combine, where he also completed 29 reps on the 225-pouind bench press. The 2022 All-Big Team First Team performer has shown legitimate power and great lateral agility against high-level competition.
His progression at Ohio State suggests a potential for further growth in the NFL. Draftniks currently view Johnson as a “plug and play” prospect.
Ohio State LT Paris Johnson, Jr.
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Broderick Jones, Georgia
Ht: 6053 | Wt: 311 | Hand: 1058 | Arm: 3468 | Wing: 8268 | 40: 4.97
Jones has been frequently mocked to the Jets at No. 13 overall and it’s easy to see why. The two-time National Champion, who will reportedly make a top-30 pre-draft visit to Florham Park, manned the left tackle spot for the entire duration of the Georgia Bulldogs’ 15-0 run through the 2022 season.
Jones, who shows good footwork according to scouts, looks fast on game film and ran fast at the NFL Combine. The 6-foot-5 bookend topped all offensive line participants by running the 40 in 4.97s.
Jones, a 2022 All-Southeastern Conference First Team selection (AP), recorded notable measurements along with a solid 30” vertical jump in Indianapolis. His 10.5-inch hands and lengthy 34.5-inch arms make him equipped to effectively handle defenders. The NFL’s @NextGenStats awarded Jones an 85 “athleticism” score for his Combine performance, ranking him second amongst offensive tackle participants.
Georgia LT Broderick Jones (59)
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 313 | Hand: 1000 | Arm: 3228 | Wing: 7948 | 40: 5.16
The highly-polished Skoronski became the first-ever Northwestern player to earn unanimous All-America First Team honors in 2022.
The Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year received Pro Football Focus’s highest pass-blocking grade (93.0) in the nation. PFF charged Skoronski with allowing only six quarterback pressures in 480 pass-blocking snaps.
Other than the fact that he measured with relatively short 32.5-inch arms, Skoronski’s draft profile is highly appealing. He 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.
Northwestern LT Peter Skoronski (77)
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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