The Jets were believed to be looking to add an offensive lineman with the pick they acquired in the Aaron Rodgers trade. With all of their options off the board, the organization has pivoted to a defensive lineman. The Jets have used pick No. 15 on Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald.
Widely connected to tackles going into the draft, the Jets saw the Steelers hop in front of them — via a Patriots trade — to nab Broderick Jones. With a bit of a gulf between the top four O-linemen in this year’s class and the field, the Jets instead bolstered their pass rush by adding Iowa State’s all-time sack leader.
McDonald finished his Cyclones career with 34 sacks. All but one of those came over the past four seasons. The ex-Big 12 standout recorded two double-digit sacks seasons, showing impressive bend from his edge-rushing post. The Jets will be prepared to play him alongside the likes of Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers and 2022 first-rounder Jermaine Johnson.
This did not profile as a red-alert issue for the Jets, though Lawson’s three-year contract does expire after the 2023 season. The team’s more pressing tackle deficiency remains.
Mekhi Becton has played one game over the past two seasons, and Duane Brown is coming off surgery ahead of his age-38 season. Max Mitchell, a 2022 fourth-round pick, is coming off a season-ending blood-clot problem. While Mitchell is back in the fold, the Jets do not have surefire Rodgers protectors on either side. Three-year starter George Fant remains a free agent, and while the team could circle back to the veteran option — potentially after the May deadline for signings to count against the compensatory formula — the Jets will enter Day 2 of the draft with a glaring need.
The Jets thought all linemen were the same.
that’s racisss
But is it wrong? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
no.
The two guys the Jets missed by trading back are going to make the Rodgers deal look even worse.
How is this possible? Said tackle would then be protecting Zach Wilson.
Proof they blew it – took them all their time to make that pick – wanted out – no takers
I thought they would take WR- Jaxon Smith-Njigba? He was supposed to go high and looked like a steal here. Another weapon for Rodgers!
Missing on Broderick Jones could very well end up being extremely costly for the Jets…
At this point, you HAVE TO go all-in protecting your investment in Rodgers. Plus, if you’re able to lower the amont of hits he takes, and give him more time in the pocket, that would only strengthen the likelihood that he’d come back for another season…
McDonald was all over the place in projections from a 1st Round grade to a 3rd Round grade, but will likely still be a solid pass rusher…
That isn’t likely to help you get over the hump like having a 10yr stud OT like Broderick Jones would..
Jets blew their chances of getting Jones, they should have done whatever it took to trade back up a couple spots and secured an OT…
Personally don’t think Broderick Jones will be a ten year stud. He was my least favorite OT and I’m not sure he’d be better than Duane Brown next season. Was hoping for JSN there.
Yet another reason to hate the Rodgers trade
yes – already looking for ways to pay Rogers next year- draft a pass rusher now and Cut Lawson next winter
He’s in the final season of his contract