NY Jets draft countdown: The greatest 69th overall picks of all time

Cooper Kupp, LA Rams, 69th Pick, NY Jets, Draft History
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams, Super Bowl, Getty Images

Can the New York Jets continue the trend of nice finds at No. 69?

The New York Jets are set to come to Las Vegas’ NFL Draft podium nine times between April 28 and 30. In celebration and anticipation, Jets X-Factor looks back at the finest names chosen in their respective current slots.

Next up is the Jets’ regularly scheduled slot at No. 69, currently their only pick in the third round.

1951: S/PR Jack Christiansen, Detroit

Jack Christiansen gave fans more than a few reasons to tune into the Lions on Thanksgiving, memorably taking back two punts for scores in his Turkey Day debut against Green Bay. It was part of a four-touchdown debut via special teams in his rookie season, one that kicked off a career that ended in Canton (inducted in 1970).

Christiansen also guided the Lions to three NFL championships (including their most recent in 1957) and was posthumously named to the NFL’s 100th anniversary team during the celebrations in 2019. The Colorado A&M alum also earned 46 interceptions (a dozen along coming during the Lions’ championship trek in 1953) and his 12.8 punt return average remains the best among qualifiers in team history.

1981: G Russ Grimm, Washington

Part of loaded Pittsburgh squad that also featured fellow future all-star blockers Mark May and Jimbo Covert (where they all united to protect quarterback Dan Marino), Russ Grimm became part of a championship project in the nation’s capital upon his selection in the third round.

Grimm would go on to become the anchor of the Redskins’ infamous “Hogs”  blocking unit that also featured May and undrafted invitee Joe Jacoby, paving the way for three Super Bowls over an 11-year career. Grimm added one more Lombardi Trophy hoist before entering the Hall of Fame in 2010, serving as the Steelers’ offensive line coach when they topped Seattle in the Big Game’s 40th edition.

2003: TE Jason Witten, Dallas

Jason Witten opted to leave Tennessee early after spending only two seasons at tight end, originally starting out on the defensive line. He went on to become one of the most impactful players at the position in league history.

No one played more NFL games at tight end than Witten (271) and any record that Tony Gonzalez leads, he more than likely follows, picking up 13,046 yards on 1,128 receptions, 74 of which went for touchdowns.

Having formed a strong bond with fellow 2003 arrival Tony Romo, Witten also holds numerous top marks in the illustrious receiving history of the Cowboys, who hosted his historic endeavors for 16 seasons.

2013: DB Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona

Tyrann Mathieu crashed the Heisman Trophy’s offensive party after his sophomore season at LSU. Though he couldn’t take the honor away from Robert Griffin III, Mathieu nonetheless made a name for himself after a dismissal from the Tigers program caused him to fall to Arizona in 2013’s third round.

Temporarily eschewing his collegiate nickname of “The Honey Badger”, Mathieu became one of the last decade’s most accomplished defenders through All-Pro efforts in Arizona and Kansas City. Having earned four All-Pro nominations and three Pro Bowl invites, he remains one of the most, if not the most, attractive free agents left on the market.

 

2015: WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle

Like Christiansen before him, Tyler Lockett’s NFL impact got started through relatively simple special teams means, notably dominating the Seahawks kick and punt return endeavors en route to All-Pro honors in his freshman season.

Lockett then broke out through offensive means with a 10-touchdown season in 2018 before uniting with D.K. Metcalf to form a potent aerial duo for Russell Wilson. Despite missing Wilson for several games last season, Lockett set new career-bests with 1,175 yards. Seattle certainly hopes he’ll be able to stick around as a high-profile building block as they embark on the post-Wilson (and potentially post-Metcalf) era.

2017: WR Cooper Kupp, LA Rams

Cooper Kupp’s steady rise from Eastern Washington reached historic heights last season. It’s rare that a Super Bowl MVP award (and game-winning touchdown) serves as a mere footnote in a player’s season, but that just goes to show how dominant Kupp’s 2021 endeavors were.

With 1,947 yards on 145 catches, Kupp was merely 17 and four away respectively from the NFL record in each category. Nonetheless, Kupp did become the first receiver since Calvin Johnson to sweep the league’s receiving triple crown, pacing all catchers in receptions, yardage, and scores (16).

Other notable 69th picks:

  • 1961: LB Mike Lucci, Cleveland
  • 1969: DB Bill Bradley, Philadelphia
  • 1980: LB Lance Mehl, Jets
  • 1990: G Glenn Parker, Buffalo
  • 2010: T Jared Veldheer, Oakland
  • 2016: DE Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville

Draft Countdown Series

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

Next Article:

Poll:

More Jet X:

Subscribe to become a Jet X Member to unlock every piece of Jets X-Factor content (film breakdowns, analytics, Sabo with the Jets, etc.), get audio versions of each article, receive the ability to comment within our community, and experience an ad-free platform experience.

Sign up for Jet X Daily, our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning at 8:00 a.m. ET:

Download the free Jet X Mobile App to get customizable notifications directly to your iOS (App Store) or Android (Google Play) device.

Add Jets X-Factor to your Google News feed and/or find us on Apple News to stay updated with the New York Jets.

Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @jetsxfactor for all the latest New York Jets news, Facebook for even more, Instagram for some of the top NY Jets images, and YouTube for original Jets X-Factor videos and live streaming.

About the Author:

Related Articles:

Comments:

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments