I have created a mock draft JUST for the New York Jets that features the full 7 rounds (well really 5 rounds because Jets don't have a 6th or 7th round pick). There were NO trades, and I used thedraftnetwork.com for helping to build this mock.
I considered a lot of the Jets needs, weighed in positional value and player value. Also tried to find some players that the Jets coached at the 2022 Senior Bowl, because I believe that could have an impact on some of the picks.
With that being said, with the 4th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select...
Round 1, Pick 4
EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Lets not over think this one. I think he could be the best EDGE in the class when it is all said and done. His athleticism and overall rush ability is something the Jets have lacked at the position since John Abraham. If he is there at 4 then you run the card in if you are Joe Douglas. KT paired with a healthy Carl Lawson could be a dominate force that would help to improve the rest of a defense.
Round 1, Pick 10
WR Drake London, USC
I went back and forth on this one. The Jets will more than likely be taking a WR here, it is just a matter of which one. Do you want a speed-demon in Jameson Williams, or a big bodied WR who can win the 50/50 balls? I wanted to go Williams here, especially with how aggresive the Jets were in on Tyreek Hill. But, London provides a skillset that Zach Wilson needs, and it is having that big-bodied threat. He can be the "big-slot" at times, which is something Mike LaFleur would like to have. You can't go wrong with either, even with Williams injury, but I still lean towards London who kind of reminds me a bit of Mike Evans.
Round 2, Pick 35
SAF Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
Even after the signing of Jordan Whitehead and bringing back Lamarcus Joyner, the Jets still have a glaring need at Safety. Brisker is the best Safety on the board at this spot, and would come in and fill that need immediately. He has the ability to play both the deep safety position and in the box, giving the Jets some flexibility with him. His coverage skills along with his run defense should make this a no-brainer at Safety.
Round 2, Pick 38
LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia,
He may be a little undersized, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with his play. He is a tackling machine who would be able to pair up right next to CJ Mosley and fill the need that maybe isn't talked about as much. He has an alpha mentality and played for that amazing Georgia defense last season. Dean is a player who many think could be a First Round pick, so if he is still there at 38 then that could be a steal.
Round 3, Pick 69
OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
It is no secret that there are questions surrounding Mehki Becton. His weight and durability seem to be an issue, and even if he is the guy moving forward, George Fant isn't under contract past this season and the depth at OT is poor to say the least. Expect the Jets to take a tackle at some point. Petit-Frere won't have to come in and play immediately and will (hopefully) have some time to develop.
Round 4, Pick 111
CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
Bryant is one of the players that the Jets coaching staff had the luxury of coaching at the Senior Bowl, and I do not feel corner is a pressing need, I could still see them drafting one later in the draft. He would fit in a zone-scheme better than a man-scheme, which lucky for him Robert Saleh's defense is zone heavy. His patience and ball-skills could make him an intruguing option, and yes he would be competting for reps with DJ Reed, Bryce Hall, and Brandin Echols, it is not like they are house hold names yet. In a leauge where everyone is drasticially improving their offensive weapons, it does not hurt to add more talent to the secondary.
Round 4, Pick 117
RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
Jets will probably be looking for a RB to pair up with Michael Carter, and Williams at this spot makes sense. Jets will look to rotate their backs similar to San Francisco. Williams may not be a "brusier" and has a similar height to Carter, but he is still a good RB and you can't pass up on a talent like his here. He is also a former captain, which is something the Jets like in their players.
Round 5, Pick 146
WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
Another player the Jets staff coached at the Senior Bowl, and fills a skillset the Jets don't truly have in their WR room, deep threat after running a 4.34 40 yard time. I would be completely fine with the Jets double-dipping at WR in the draft, because to be honest the room is not that talented. If the Jets go this route, they could have a room with Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Drake London, Braxton Berrios, Bo Melton, and then if they get anything out of Denzel Mims and Jeff Smith that would be a plus. There is a range of skillsets in the room, which is what the Jets would like to have.
Round 5, Pick 163
IDL Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
Another Ohio State player, and another Senior Bowl player making it three players in this draft that the Jets coached at the Senior Bowl. With the last pick for them in the draft, the Jets continue to add to the worst defense in the NFL from a year ago. It seems to have gone under the radar a bit, but the Jets need interior defensive line help, espeically after losing Foley Fatukasi to the Jaguars. Garrett can be a depth piece on the d-line for the Jets wouldn't be expected to play a lot of meaningful reps immediately, but instead can grow and develop in Saleh's defense.
Mock Draft Review
Obviously I am going to like it because I put it together, but if the Jets came out of the draft with anything similar to this I think it could be a home-run and help expedite the rebuild. They get their EDGE that the desperately need and a WR to pair up with Elijah Moore. Defensive help continues in the Second Round with SAF and LB, and then they get more depth on both sides of the trenches on Day 2 and 3, along with help at RB and CB. I am not saying this draft makes them Super Bowl, or even Playoff Contenders, but it brings them closer. A draft like this on top of the offseason they have already had at this point puts them in position to be competitive late in the season, barring anything significant happening. It all comes down to Zach Wilson, and with all of this, he would have no excuses to not succeed.