3 Big Names the Jets Should Avoid in the 2023 NFL Draft
In this story:
The Jets hit on some of their draft picks every year, while others don't work out for whatever reason.
This year, New York needs more of their picks to work out than not.
Historically in the NFL, 53% of first round draft choices end up being busts.
While countless variables are involved with each prospect, teams do their best to not become part of that statistic.
Intense background research is done, and scouts grind game film looking for positive and negative traits like those digging for lost treasure.
Player interviews are conducted and there's bowl games, pro days and the Scouting Combine to attend.
There's more work to be done than time on the clock.
My NFL scouting mentor, a man with four Super Bowl rings, told me, "If you hit 70% in this business, you're a rockstar."
While the biggest need in the first-round for the Jets is offensive tackle, there are other more tempting apples hanging in the garden of prospects that could be more alluring to Jets' General Manager Joe Douglas.
After all, offensive linemen are not something Douglas has been too fond of, as he's only selected four of them in his first three drafts.
Some quarterbacks might be on the board when the Jets pick at No. 13 and there will be some high-level defenders too.
Then there's the chance Douglas trades up, like he did last year when he selected edge rusher, Jermaine Johnson.
Speaking of quarterbacks and edge rushers, there's three players the game film says the Jets should avoid like the plague.
Who are they?
Quarterback, Will Levis, Kentucky
Daniel Kelly's Grade: Seventh-Round
Game film reviewed: 2021 (Georgia, South Carolina and Missouri), 2022 (Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee)
Every year there is a media first-round favorite, and this year it's Levis despite him showing nothing in these games suggesting he should even be in the conversation.
Said another way, he's Zach Wilson all over again.
Levis sported a 46 touchdown/25 interception ratio at Kentucky. Now, he'll be ratcheting that up to the NFL level.
How will that translate?
There are four kisses of death when it comes to quarterback prospects, and Levis has all four.
- Tentative in the pocket
- Tends to lock in with his receivers prior to throwing
- Tunnel vision (doesn't feel or see the pass rush he's so dialed in downfield)
- Erratic downfield ball placement
There's a 100% chance Levis is a bust.
Quarterback, Anthony Richardson, Florida
Daniel Kelly's Grade: Fifth-Round
Game film reviewed: 2021 (LSU), 2022 (Utah, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and FSU)
Richardson makes former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance look like a superstar, and I said Lance would be a bust prior to him being selected by San Francisco in 2021.
Despite that, Richardson is being pushed by many mainstream platforms as a top-10 pick.
Richardson does generate excitement running around, but that's only because he holds the ball too long due to not being able to read defenses fast enough. That's not promising in a league that prides itself in quick releases (2.5 second average).
Let's not kid ourselves either about the dual-threat talk, as he can only take what defenses give him on the ground. This isn't Bears' quarterback Justin Fields 2.0.
Passing, he had a dismal 53.8% completion percentage in 2022, and his erratic looking downfield ball placement explains why. Richardson also threw his fair share of "what were you thinking passes."
Some Gators' fans even say he wasn't ready to declare.
Richardson is a bust waiting to happen.
Edge, Will Anderson, Alabama
Daniel Kelly's Grade: Second-Round
Game film reviewed: 2021 (Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Georgia), 2022 (Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas and LSU)
Anderson is a big name, big rep defender who's being hailed as a top-5 pick, but the game film screams he is lazy.
Seven games of underachieving over two seasons does more than raise an eyebrow.
It's a pattern.
No question, Anderson has elite ability that he tantalizes teams with. However, if he only plays when he wants to for Alabama's Head Coach, Nick Saban, what will happen if he goes to a team that struggles?
Anderson is a rigid, brute bully who loses interest in rushing the passer if his initial efforts don't work, and he's even less interested in defending the run.
There was also a big drop off in his production (tackles, sacks and pressures) this past season compared to 2021 which further speaks to the underachieving.
Anderson wouldn't be on my board if I was a GM.
MORE:
- Jets Need a Mobile Quarterback, Not Aaron Rodgers
- Jets Will Go 'All Out' to Trade For Aaron Rodgers This Offseason
- Should Jets Pick Peter Skoronski in First Round of 2023 NFL Draft?
Follow Daniel Kelly on Twitter (@danielkellybook). Be sure to bookmark Jets Country and check back daily for news, analysis and more.
