"With the fourth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select..."
There's no doubt that draft, one week from today, is a pivotal one for this Jets regime. With two picks in the Top 10 and four in the Top 40, the Jets have a rare opportunity to add key impact players. It's an important one for General Manager Joe Douglas entering year four and is third NFL Draft.
This kind of draft capital doesn't come around very often and the Jets must take advantage of it. Who the Jets select with the fourth-overall pick obviously depends on the teams before them. Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson has long been the favorite to be selected No.1 overall. Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux was the favorite to begin the college season before some ridiculous questions about his motor and pursuits outside of football hurt his stock.
Let's say they go first and second. I have a sneaky suspicion that Houston will take North Carolina State OT Ikem Ekwonu to help QB Davis Mills in his second year.
This, coincidentally, is my nightmare scenario.
If the board falls like this, I'd be OK with anyone but Travon Walker, the EDGE out of Georgia. He may end up being a great player but with his manufactured rise and limited college production, I'm getting serious Vernon Gholston vibes. Sorry for the reminder, Jets fans.
This would be the next three players I'd take if the first three go Hutchinson, Thibodeaux and Ekwonu:
1. Evan Neal, OT Alabama
Could Joe Douglas make it three straight drafts taking an offensive lineman in the first round? He certainly could and should strongly consider it. Neal offers position versatility having played guard and tackle in college. You can never have enough good offensive lineman sub in. The ultra talented Mekhi Becton, Douglas's 2020 first-round pick, and right-tackle-turned-left tackle George Fant have some injury concerns.
2. Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE Florida State
The Jets haven't had a player with 10 sacks since Muhammad Wilkerson in 2015 and haven't had a reliable pure edge rusher since W. was in office. No offense to Calvin "Set the Edge" Pace meant. Could this be a bit early for JJ? Yeah. But an edge rusher opposite Carl Lawson will be important.
3. Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB Cincinnati
Another pick that may be a bit too early, but Gardner has been one of the most reliable corners over the course of his college career. The comparisons to Jets Great and future Hall of Famer Darrell Revis are a bit off base. While there will never be another 2009-2011 Revis, Garnder instantly bolsters a Jets secondary that was shredded game in and game out during the 2021 season.
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