The world thinks the New York Jets will follow up defense with offense in the top 10
With just one week to go until the 2022 NFL draft kicks off, it feels like a good time to get a pulse of what the nation thinks the New York Jets will do.
We can do that with the website NFL Mock Draft Database. It features a consistently-updated consensus mock draft that draws from hundreds of the newest mock drafts created by writers across the internet. Each team selects the available player that is most commonly mocked to them among the mock drafts in the site’s database.
Looking at the latest consensus mock draft – which is based on data from mocks that were published over the past two weeks (as of the morning of April 21) – the Jets are expected to make a surprising decision at number four overall.
With the fourth overall pick, the consensus mock draft says the Jets will select Cincinnati cornerback Sauce Gardner, who is mocked to New York at No. 4 in 27% of the data sample’s mocks.
More interesting than the selection of Gardner itself is the fact that the Jets pass on Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to make it. The draft’s top three selections are Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (Jaguars), Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker (Lions), and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal (Texans). Thibodeaux is there for New York to snag, but it seems more mock-drafters are expecting them to take Gardner in this scenario.
With the 10th overall pick, the Jets select USC wide receiver Drake London, who is sent to New York in 23% of mocks. The Jets choose him over players like Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams, Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis, and Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson.
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Here is a look at the top 10 picks of the latest consensus mock draft (picks from last two weeks as of April 21):
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan (67% of picks)
- Detroit Lions: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia (25%)
- Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (25%)
- New York Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (27%)
- New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State (30%)
- Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (38%)
- New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon (17%)
- Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State (35%)
- Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State (23%)
- New York Jets: Drake London, WR, USC (23%)
How would you feel about this first-round haul for the Jets?
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I would like to get Deebo with the 10th. If that doesn’t happen, then I want the Jets to double dip on defense at 4 and 10. An edge and a DB, either Sauce or Hamilton. Take a WR at either 35 or 38.
I love Sauce at 4, if Thibodeaux isn’t available. At 10, if Kyle Hamilton is available they have to snag him. If not, a trade back is ideal but not too far back and grab George Karlaftis or Jermaine Johnson if we went sauce. If we got Thibodeaux and Hamilton not available, we should trade out or stay and grab the highest ranked WR on their board. In my eyes Garrett Wilson or Jameson Williams, it would suck to not have him to start the season but his speed and skills are things other teams will need to scheme for and that’s huge. For me I think the perfect draft with first 2 picks would be Thibodeaux & Hamilton then Sauce & Hamilton. I also love Deebo, but the cost and long term investment is too big. Even more so when you factor in his injury history. If we could add Jamison and snag Breece in the 2nd, I think our O would be set up nicely for Wilson. If we can get Hamilton with the 10th, I’d snag Christian Watson or Jahon Dotson. With our 69th, I’ve picked Brian Asamoah every time and I hope they do too. At 35 based on what happens at 4 & 10 from my mocks I liked my picks of Ojado, Mafe, Jalen Pitre, Cine, Bernhard Raimann or the WR’s I mentioned above.
Completely agree about Hamilton at 10 if he’s there. Not sure why it’s not getting talked about more. He’s widely considered to be one of the top talents in the draft and it’s certainly a position of need.
Not a fan of Drake London. If you can`t draft Garrett Wilson I would go after Jameson Williams.
If the Jets snag Deebo, then yes sauce at 4 and Edge rusher top of the second round. All hinges on what the Jets give up for Samuel.
I’d rather see the team trade out of the top half of the first round altogether. Getting a handful of late first round/second day picks combined with perhaps a first rounder for next year would be my idea of a best-case scenario. The problem, of course, is that it’s unlikely any one team would want to trade up for either of these picks, let alone the three (probable) teams needed for such a result.
I can see this year breaking records for fewest day-one trades in NFL history.
This would honestly be a very tough decision to me. While they need a big time Edge, Sauce is probably the overall best player after Hutch. So i wouldnt be upset either way. I would be upset at the giants having such a good draft there though, hahh. I really hope they get deebo so they dont force that WR pick though.
My guess is Thibodeaux is there when they pick at 4 and they take him. I think they value pass rushers above all else and can’t see them taking a CB over a position they value more. I do wonder if position is a criteria when they assign their draft grades? Since there is not a “clear cut” top player or players in this draft they may just take their highest rated player. Whoever the pick is, he has to be good. This team is building and adding a consistent pro-bowl/all-pro player to the roster at ANY position is the way to go, even if that means OT. I HATE this draft. When there are 4 or 5 players that can be picked #1 overall it’s a formula for picking a bust. It’s the Jets’ luck there are ZERO QB’s worth a top 10 pick in this draft, not only to open up a trade option but to push a franchise type player down to them. We just can’t end up with Vernon Gholston.
I agree, while I have my personal preferences regarding which positions I’d prefer if the talent were equal, the bottom line is that this team has to get blue-chip talent wherever it can. Doesn’t matter where. Just get stars.
I disagree, what Jet has been to the pro bowl as of late? Sauce is ranked higher than thibbs on all boards. He can lock up your best receiver and take away 1 side of the field.
KT is one spot ahead of Sauce on The Athletic consensus big board (combines 60 different boards)