Let's start with the back end rounds:
Round 4 Pick 117, Defensive Lineman Micheal Clemons, from Texas A&M.
Micheal lined up inside for the most part of the season, but towards the end of the season we saw him line up at Wide 9 defensive end. His stats did not jump off the board 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks, Clemons was a clear rotational piece on the defensive line but expect him to have a bigger role in his sophomore year. The only caveat is he is an older rookie at 25 years old.
Round 4 pick 111, Offensive Tackle Max Mitchell, Louisiana
Max did not get into the rotation until a few games in and when he did his athleticism was put on notice after an offensive fumble he was the one to recover it. He has good height but for NFL terms his weight is sub par. Expect the 23 year old to stack some muscle this off season but the real question is will he recover from the blood clots? There is some speculation because of his athleticism he could develop into the blind side tackle (yes left tackle). As of right now until we know further about his health, he is our starting right tackle.
Round 3 pick 101, Tight End Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State
Local New Yorker Jeremy Ruckert did not see much on offense this season, recovering from a lower leg injury earlier on the season, he started to make his presence known on special teams. With two key veteran signings, the Jets chose to develop Jeremy through practice this year, to develop his overall game. Ruckert known for his willingness to be that blocking end. Expect next season to see Ruckert utilized more in the fullback role as we saw near the end of the season. Also see Ruckert evolving to Number Two Tight End on the roster.
Round 2 pick 36, Running Back Breece Hall, Iowa State
Arguably the best running back in this draft class, started off slow. Working into rotation but by the second week of the season we started to see the home run threat he really is. Shifty runner that has the size and acceleration to be a down field north south runner who can also hit the edge with proper acceleration with another gear in reserve. Unfortunately he fell to a season ending injury cut his rookie campaign short, but expect him to challenge for the lead load of carries next season. This offense is predicated on running back by committee but we have seen LaFleur (unsure if he is back) over use specific players to produce rather than stick to the sentiment they speak in press conferences.
Round 1 pick 26, Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
A highly touted athletic run defender, some fans expected more of Johnson II in his rookie campaign. The Jets had their starters in Lawson and JFM at the defensive end positions. The reason they drafted this young man with the first round selection was they knew he would need a year to acclimate to the NFL level. The plan is to have him eventually replace Carl Lawson at the rush end position on the line. He has the high ceiling one would want but unlike most edge rushers in this draft he was a run defender first and foremost, has a limited pass rush arsenal which we should see him develop from year one to year two. Expect to see JJ II, to take a bigger role year two and by year three see starter reps replacing Lawson.
Round 1 Pick 10, Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
One of the two best players to be drafted by this organization in years. Garrett exceeded expectations and resetting the rookie statistics previously held by Keyshawn Johnson, yes him wow. A slippery open field after the catch gets skinny to break tackles receiver showed he could develop into the top dawg in our passing attack. Is he a true number one maybe, but his ceiling is definitely higher than most including his college team mate Chris Olave. Expect to see a massive jump by Wilson in year two when the offense is more stable to be productive both a run or pass game plan. In play for offensive rookie of the year.
Round 1 Pick 4, Cornerback Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati
The second defensive back taken in the 2022 draft, proved he was the best prospect from this draft. From day one he was putting on a show in training camp and during preseason he was not repeating mistakes. Season started he was definitely one of the best players on the field every game and won multiple defensive rookie weekly awards. Is he the best overall rookie this year? Possibly. Is he the best overall defensive rookie this year? Yes without a doubt. As the season went on we all saw Sauce get stronger and willing to drive tackle receivers in the open field, he is a lanky tall defensive back but has the willingness to become the best all around defensive back and proved his ceiling is super high but he is already peaking in overall talent reached.
This draft some people would say it was a failure but in reality the team did an excellent job, getting top talent players with high character and high ceilings. All the players taken this year could all be starters if not day one definitely compete in the near future. Some say Jermaine Johnson II should of done more this season but in reality if you really followed his college career he failed to break the rotation on a fully loaded Georgia Bulldogs defensive front not because he was not good enough just it was fully loaded with immense talent. He transferred to Florida State where the competition was not always top notch, and his statistics are not all on him. One thing was evident he was able to set the edge especially in the run defense. His athleticism was on display to develop into a solid edge rusher but he had a limited pass rush arsenal. Some experts had him going as high as the Atlanta Falcons Top 10 pick but in reality he was a work in progress type prospect. In the end, he was a steal at pick 26 and has the ceiling to develop into a dominate player moving forward.
The unknowns are Jeremy Ruckert and where he might develop into, we saw his college production on scale but his effort to earn offensive snaps might be considered a warning flag. Max Mitchell's blood clot situation also concerning but feel like veteran Vinny Curry the year before, that Max will return ready to compete not only for playing time but starting job. Finally concern to see one of your top prospects go down with a leg injury being he is a running back is also concerning. Will Breece come back, yeah but could this end up being a recurring injury for the touted top rusher from the 2022 draft class. These are worries and questions moving forward.
The intrigue from not only the draft picks are some rookie free agents already carved a role on our roster. Running back Zonovan 'Bam' Knight has gotten the bulk of the reps and also was the main reason the Jets decided to part ways with Tevin Coleman, even though Bam started on the practice squad he earned a shot and never turned back. Injury to Breece Hall opened the door for the rookie free agent from North Carolina State. Expect him to be a viable rotational back next season and moving forward. The other is defensive back, safety Tony Adams from Illinois. Made the 53 roster from the beginning of the season and was regulated more to special teams but with up and down injuries to LaMarcus Joyner, Adams saw playing time throughout the season. Adams started the last two games of the season and did impress with the some quality reps in coverage as well as open field tackler. Will be interesting how much more reps he gets in the future but could be a viable main component in our secondary.
2022 ended on a sour note but in reality this year is a massive improvement from the year before. The skies the limit for the defensive unit it will be on the front office to rectify the offensive line and figure out who will be taking snaps under center to match with the skill players we currently have and this team should take a massive step next year and compete for a playoff spot.
Round 4 Pick 117, Defensive Lineman Micheal Clemons, from Texas A&M.
Micheal lined up inside for the most part of the season, but towards the end of the season we saw him line up at Wide 9 defensive end. His stats did not jump off the board 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks, Clemons was a clear rotational piece on the defensive line but expect him to have a bigger role in his sophomore year. The only caveat is he is an older rookie at 25 years old.
Round 4 pick 111, Offensive Tackle Max Mitchell, Louisiana
Max did not get into the rotation until a few games in and when he did his athleticism was put on notice after an offensive fumble he was the one to recover it. He has good height but for NFL terms his weight is sub par. Expect the 23 year old to stack some muscle this off season but the real question is will he recover from the blood clots? There is some speculation because of his athleticism he could develop into the blind side tackle (yes left tackle). As of right now until we know further about his health, he is our starting right tackle.
Round 3 pick 101, Tight End Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State
Local New Yorker Jeremy Ruckert did not see much on offense this season, recovering from a lower leg injury earlier on the season, he started to make his presence known on special teams. With two key veteran signings, the Jets chose to develop Jeremy through practice this year, to develop his overall game. Ruckert known for his willingness to be that blocking end. Expect next season to see Ruckert utilized more in the fullback role as we saw near the end of the season. Also see Ruckert evolving to Number Two Tight End on the roster.
Round 2 pick 36, Running Back Breece Hall, Iowa State
Arguably the best running back in this draft class, started off slow. Working into rotation but by the second week of the season we started to see the home run threat he really is. Shifty runner that has the size and acceleration to be a down field north south runner who can also hit the edge with proper acceleration with another gear in reserve. Unfortunately he fell to a season ending injury cut his rookie campaign short, but expect him to challenge for the lead load of carries next season. This offense is predicated on running back by committee but we have seen LaFleur (unsure if he is back) over use specific players to produce rather than stick to the sentiment they speak in press conferences.
Round 1 pick 26, Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
A highly touted athletic run defender, some fans expected more of Johnson II in his rookie campaign. The Jets had their starters in Lawson and JFM at the defensive end positions. The reason they drafted this young man with the first round selection was they knew he would need a year to acclimate to the NFL level. The plan is to have him eventually replace Carl Lawson at the rush end position on the line. He has the high ceiling one would want but unlike most edge rushers in this draft he was a run defender first and foremost, has a limited pass rush arsenal which we should see him develop from year one to year two. Expect to see JJ II, to take a bigger role year two and by year three see starter reps replacing Lawson.
Round 1 Pick 10, Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
One of the two best players to be drafted by this organization in years. Garrett exceeded expectations and resetting the rookie statistics previously held by Keyshawn Johnson, yes him wow. A slippery open field after the catch gets skinny to break tackles receiver showed he could develop into the top dawg in our passing attack. Is he a true number one maybe, but his ceiling is definitely higher than most including his college team mate Chris Olave. Expect to see a massive jump by Wilson in year two when the offense is more stable to be productive both a run or pass game plan. In play for offensive rookie of the year.
Round 1 Pick 4, Cornerback Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati
The second defensive back taken in the 2022 draft, proved he was the best prospect from this draft. From day one he was putting on a show in training camp and during preseason he was not repeating mistakes. Season started he was definitely one of the best players on the field every game and won multiple defensive rookie weekly awards. Is he the best overall rookie this year? Possibly. Is he the best overall defensive rookie this year? Yes without a doubt. As the season went on we all saw Sauce get stronger and willing to drive tackle receivers in the open field, he is a lanky tall defensive back but has the willingness to become the best all around defensive back and proved his ceiling is super high but he is already peaking in overall talent reached.
This draft some people would say it was a failure but in reality the team did an excellent job, getting top talent players with high character and high ceilings. All the players taken this year could all be starters if not day one definitely compete in the near future. Some say Jermaine Johnson II should of done more this season but in reality if you really followed his college career he failed to break the rotation on a fully loaded Georgia Bulldogs defensive front not because he was not good enough just it was fully loaded with immense talent. He transferred to Florida State where the competition was not always top notch, and his statistics are not all on him. One thing was evident he was able to set the edge especially in the run defense. His athleticism was on display to develop into a solid edge rusher but he had a limited pass rush arsenal. Some experts had him going as high as the Atlanta Falcons Top 10 pick but in reality he was a work in progress type prospect. In the end, he was a steal at pick 26 and has the ceiling to develop into a dominate player moving forward.
The unknowns are Jeremy Ruckert and where he might develop into, we saw his college production on scale but his effort to earn offensive snaps might be considered a warning flag. Max Mitchell's blood clot situation also concerning but feel like veteran Vinny Curry the year before, that Max will return ready to compete not only for playing time but starting job. Finally concern to see one of your top prospects go down with a leg injury being he is a running back is also concerning. Will Breece come back, yeah but could this end up being a recurring injury for the touted top rusher from the 2022 draft class. These are worries and questions moving forward.
The intrigue from not only the draft picks are some rookie free agents already carved a role on our roster. Running back Zonovan 'Bam' Knight has gotten the bulk of the reps and also was the main reason the Jets decided to part ways with Tevin Coleman, even though Bam started on the practice squad he earned a shot and never turned back. Injury to Breece Hall opened the door for the rookie free agent from North Carolina State. Expect him to be a viable rotational back next season and moving forward. The other is defensive back, safety Tony Adams from Illinois. Made the 53 roster from the beginning of the season and was regulated more to special teams but with up and down injuries to LaMarcus Joyner, Adams saw playing time throughout the season. Adams started the last two games of the season and did impress with the some quality reps in coverage as well as open field tackler. Will be interesting how much more reps he gets in the future but could be a viable main component in our secondary.
2022 ended on a sour note but in reality this year is a massive improvement from the year before. The skies the limit for the defensive unit it will be on the front office to rectify the offensive line and figure out who will be taking snaps under center to match with the skill players we currently have and this team should take a massive step next year and compete for a playoff spot.
