Are the New York Jets focused on one side of the ball with the seventh overall pick?
According to one well-known draft analyst, New York will most likely elect to go a certain route at No. 7.
The Ringer’s Todd McShay revealed on “The McShay Show” that, based on what he has heard, general manager Darren Mougey will allocate the No. 7 choice to the defensive side of the ball.
“I think the Jets could be a surprise team (to draft a defensive player),” said McShay. “I think Tyler Warren is in play, but I think this is Aaron Glenn and I think this is a defense that’s good and get talent but they want to be exceptional I think that they could go defense with this pick, I have heard names like Jalon Walker, Jahdae Barron, Mason Graham there, okay so watch out for the Jets to be more defense.”
Jalon Walker Profile
Walker, 21, arrived at Georgia as a five-star recruit out of Salisbury High School in North Carolina, and he more than lived up to the hype. Over three seasons with the Bulldogs, he appeared in 43 games and totaled 89 tackles, including 19 for loss, along with 12.5 sacks.
The 2024 season marked Walker’s breakout year. He racked up 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, earning first-team All-America honors and the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.
At 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds, the North Carolina native is a dynamic, athletic defender who can impact the game from multiple spots. He played 60 percent of his snaps off the ball last season and 40 percent on the edge, showcasing his versatility and explosiveness. Walker currently ranks No. 9 overall on NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board.
If Steve Wilks or Aaron Glenn are looking to add a versatile, high-upside playmaker to the heart of their defense, Walker should be firmly on their radar at No. 7 overall.
Jahdae Barron Profile
Barron began his college journey with a commitment to TCU but ultimately stayed close to home, flipping to Texas and spending five seasons in the Longhorns’ secondary.
The former four-star recruit developed into a key piece of Texas’ defense, starting for three seasons and appearing in 57 games. During his career, Barron totaled 226 tackles, including 21 for loss, along with eight interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 24 pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Barron’s final season was his most productive. The Texas native played in 16 games and recorded 67 tackles, three tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 11 passes defended.
A versatile and instinctive defensive back, Barron brings closing speed and positional flexibility, having lined up at nickel, on the outside, and at safety throughout his time in Austin.
Mason Graham Profile
A four-star recruit out of Servite High School in Anaheim, California, Mason Graham committed to Michigan, where he became a key piece of the Wolverines’ defensive line across three seasons.
Graham played in 39 games during his time in Ann Arbor, tallying 108 total tackles, including 18 for loss, along with nine sacks and a forced fumble. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games, finishing with 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
Widely viewed as one of the top defensive tackles in the country, Graham earned elite marks from Pro Football Focus over the past two seasons. He graded in the 95th percentile or better in categories like run defense, pass-rush win rate, and solo run stops.
Ranked No. 4 overall on NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, Graham’s fit with the Jets may be complicated. At 6-foot-3 and 296 pounds, Graham profiles as a natural 3-technique, the exact role currently held by Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams.
Should the Jets go defense at No. 7?
While defensive standouts like Graham, Barron, and Walker offer plenty of intrigue, the Jets would be wise to prioritize offense with the No. 7 overall pick.
Yes, there are areas to address on defense, but the team’s most immediate needs lie on the offensive side. New York still lacks a reliable playmaker behind Garrett Wilson, has a hole in the starting offensive line, and needs a dynamic presence at tight end.
With a veteran defensive staff led by head coach Aaron Glenn and seasoned coordinator Steve Wilks, the Jets should be well-equipped to maximize their current personnel on that side of the ball. The focus in round one should be building around quarterback Justin Fields and giving him the tools to succeed.
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