The rebuild has become the norm. Such is the life of Jets fans, where the NFL Draft is the Super Bowl, and momentum is somewhat hard to muster.
Still, the momentum for New York feels, well, real. The 2021 season, while disappointing, was not without its flashes. Down the stretch, quarterback Zach Wilson learned how to protect the ball. The young rookies on offense, running back Michael Carter and wideout Elijah Moore, delivered flashes.
And now, with three first-round picks headlining a widely-applauded draft class, the Jets have brought the roster forward and given fans some hope of competitive football in New York next season.
Jets NFL Draft Picks 2022
- Round 1, Pick 4 (4th Overall): Ahmad “Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
- Round 1, Pick 10 (10th Overall): Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
- Round 1, Pick 26 (26th Overall): Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State
- Round 2, Pick 4 (36th Overall): Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
- Round 3, Pick 37 (101st Overall): Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
- Round 4, Pick 6 (111th Overall): Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
- Round 4, Pick 12 (117th Overall): Micheal Clemons, DE, Texas A&M
Pre-draft trades with Seattle and Carolina put the Jets and GM Joe Douglas in a superb position, and the draft board just happened to fall the way New York hoped it would.
Sauce Gardner, often mocked to the Carolina Panthers at No. 3, was still there waiting for the Jets at No. 4. Just like that, Douglas found his lockdown cornerback of the future and addressed a position of dire need, as New York ranked dead last in the NFL in Pass DVOA in 2021.
Six picks later, the Jets got their second-year quarterback, Zach Wilson, a new target in wideout Garrett Wilson. The Ohio State product ran a sub-4.4 40-yard dash, has great ball skills, and was dynamic after the catch in college. He should be a big boost to this offense.
Douglas used his arsenal of draft capital to move up late on Day 1 and again on Day 2, adding an impact edge rusher in Jermaine Johnson II — who was reportedly an option for New York as high as No. 4 — and running back Breece Hall. Both should see significant playing time in their rookie campaigns.
The rest of the Jets’ draft, which was wrapped up by the end of the fourth round, helped to address additional depth at tight end, offensive tackle, and defensive line.
All in all, it looks to be a great haul for Joe Douglas and New York. This team could actually be exciting to watch in 2022 with so many young talents likely playing key roles for head coach Robert Saleh.
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Note: The Jets NFL Draft predictions below were published before the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pre-Draft Jets NFL Mock Draft Predictions 2022
- Round 1, Pick 4 (4th Overall): Ahmad “Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
- Round 1, Pick 10 (10th Overall): Drake London, WR, USC
- Round 2, Pick 3 (35th Overall): Zion Johnson, G/C, Boston College
- Round 2, Pick 6 (38th Overall): Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
- Round 3, Pick 5 (69th Overall): Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
More Possible Jets Draft Targets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon; Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Pre-Draft Jets Team Needs 2022
1. Defensive Line
It didn’t help that defensive end Carl Lawson tore his Achilles before last season began. While the Jets need help generating pressure on the outside, the interior defense, especially with the loss of defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi in free agency, also needs work.
2. Wide Receiver
Moore was a sensational pick, and he could be a future star. And while the Jets have options at the position, including Corey Davis, they need more. Surrounding Wilson with more young talent is crucial.
3. Cornerback
It’s not just the fact that New York doesn’t have a true No. 1 cornerback on its roster. Look at the division, particularly the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, and you’ll see how important finding a shutdown corner is. The position has some depth, but it needs high-end talent.
Jets May Also Consider Drafting: Offensive Line, Safety
