Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock draft sends an offensive building block to the New York Jets
With the first round of the NFL draft only 36 days away, the mock drafts are starting to roll in at a feverish pace.
Yesterday, we took a look at Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft, which featured the New York Jets making a surprising selection at No. 13 with Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith.
We turn our attention to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who, like Jeremiah, has the Jets selecting a prospect from Georgia. Only this time, it’s a prospect who fills one of the Jets’ greatest positions of need. Kiper has the Jets selecting Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones.
In new mock, @MelKiperESPN has the #Jets taking OT Broderick Jones at 13. Biggest needs are OT, DT and C. No DT or C rated this highly. Lazard reduces WR need. What if top OTs are gone? Trade down, something Joe Douglas has never done in Rnd 1. https://t.co/WZPNrkw6Vc
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 21, 2023
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In just two seasons on the field, Jones put together a decorated college career with the Bulldogs. After redshirting his 2020 freshman season, Jones was named to the 2021 SEC All-Freshman team. Jones then earned First-team All-SEC honors as a redshirt sophomore in 2022. In each season, Jones played a key role in helping Georgia win the National Championship Game.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones allowed zero sacks over 470 pass-blocking snaps in the 2022 season. He gave up a measly total of eight pressures and committed only two penalties.
The offensive tackle position is the consensus favorite to be the Jets’ target with the 13th overall pick (if they keep it). According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Jones is the most commonly mocked player to the Jets at No. 13 with 44% of selections in the site’s database. Jones is followed by two more OT prospects: Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski.
New York’s current starting tackles are projected to be Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown. The Jets have not added any offensive tackles to the roster this offseason. As the days pass by and this position continues to remain unaddressed, it only becomes more and more likely the Jets target an offensive tackle with their first selection in the 2023 NFL draft.
And Jones very well could be the man they select.
