NFL Mock Draft: Jets Trade Up in Top 10, Make 'Surprise' Pick at No. 4
If the Jets want to pick cornerback Ahmad Gardner in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, odds are they'll have to grab him at No. 4 overall.
That is, except if they trade up with the 10th overall selection.
In this mock draft, from ESPN's NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller, New York grabs an offensive lineman fourth overall. Then, making sure they get their guy, the Jets use their surplus of draft capital to trade up and pick Gardner.
Here's how the top-10 picks in Miller's mock draft look (with some of his analysis in italics). Then, we'll break this down and evaluate New York's hypothetical first-round haul.
2022 NFL Mock Draft Trade Proposal (Via ESPN)
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
4. New York Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
PROJECTED TRADE: Jets move up for a CB
6. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
7. New York Giants: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
10. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
Let's start with the "surprise" at No. 4.
New York could absolutely pick Ikem Ekwonu here—or Kayvon Thibodeaux for that matter—but elect to select Alabama's tackle Evan Neal instead. This comes down to the evaluation process for New York and what general manager Joe Douglas prefers.
We know Douglas loves offensive linemen in the first round (think Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker), so honestly, it's not astonishing to see them pick a left tackle here. Some would disagree, but Neal going before Ekwonu is the real surprise.
From there, the Jets know they can't wait until 10 if they want Ahmad Gardner. Douglas has been compiling draft capital for years. Part of that arsenal of picks comes from the Sam Darnold deal with the Panthers. That makes this deal with Carolina (including multiple third-round picks) something New York can easily pull the trigger on.
Adding Gardner is huge for a team that had the worst defense in the NFL last year. Plus, the Jets play against Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill and DeVante Parker twice a year going forward. They need a true No. 1 corner like Gardner to put a lid on those top wideouts in the AFC East.
As Miller alluded to in his analysis, this class is deep at multiple positions, like wide receiver and EDGE. Sure, New York doesn't come away with a prospect at those spots in the first round, but with the capital they have, they'll be ready to pounce later in this draft. Besides, Douglas abides by the "best available" laws. In this scenario, he exits the first round with the first left tackle and cornerback off the board.
If you're curious, here are the rest of New York's picks in Miller's seven-round mock:
- 35. New York Jets: Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota
- 38. New York Jets (via CAR): George Pickens, WR, Georgia
- 111. New York Jets (via CAR): Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee
- 117. New York Jets (via MIN): Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
- 146. New York Jets: Eyioma Uwazurike, DT, Iowa State
- 163. New York Jets (via PIT): Mike Rose, LB, Iowa State
MORE:
- Trade Proposal: Jets Include Elijah Moore in Deal For Deebo Samuel
- NFL Draft Rumors: Jets Could Pick Jermaine Johnson Over Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 4
- Former NFL Scout: 16 Consensus First-Round Picks To Avoid
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