Fans of the New York Jets, here is question for you – be honest with me in your answers, too. How many mock drafts did you complete last off-season? 1? 5? 50? Too many? If you are anything like me, the answer falls somewhere between 50 and too many.
We, as Jets fans spend so much time and effort preparing and prognosticating on what is going to happen with draft/player placement and way too often forget to follow up on how these players panned out.
The rear-facing view is obviously the clearest view of them all. It easily provides insight and offers opportunities to learn from previous decisions, good or bad.
I bet that most of the NFL GM’s would be thrilled to get a “draft do over” – maybe not all of them, but a fair share would be elated for a re-boot.
So, why not right now?
At the unofficial midway point (or close to it), what better time to refresh our memories on the guys we drooled over, the guys we yearned for and the guys we begged not to draft.
I went ahead and played GM for all 32 teams (or at least all the teams that had 1st round picks) and shared who I thought may be the better decision based on production and situations that have come about over the past 6 months since the actual draft occurred.
Some picks are the same, some are way different. Picks are a lot easier to make with a body of work to pull from. It’s actually a good exercise to check in on these guys and kinda see “where are they now?”
So, let’s take a look at how I would re-boot the 2022 draft. One thing is for sure – I think I got it right this time. So, if any NFL GM’s need some help, hit me up…
1: Jacksonville Jaguars: Sauce Gardner, CB Cincinnati (Treyvon Walker)
You really cannot change my mind with this selection. Sauce has come into the league as advertised. He is having a near flawless start to his NFL career with an 87.8 coverage grade (per Pro Football Reference) along with 44 tackles, 13 passes defended and 2 interceptions.
Sauce is a student of the game and still has room to get even better, which is a scary proposition for offensive coordinators around the league.
With this pick, Jacksonville doesn’t have to worry about his half of the field for the next 10-12 years.
2: Detroit Lions: Aiden Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan (Aiden Hutchinson)
One of the teams that ended up with the same player after the re-boot. Hutchinson is a perfect fit in Detroit. Born and raised in Michigan and also where he played his college ball.
Hutchinson has 20 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and 9 QB hits while seeing the field for over 85% of the defensive snaps this season.
As the young defense learns and adds talent around him, Hutch will only grow to into the force he was destined to become.
3: Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon (Derrick Stingley, Jr)
The real selection of Derrick Stingley has worked out very well for the Texans, as he has added a solid piece to Lovie Smith’s Tampa-2 defense. The one thing that the Texans are missing right now as a whole is the presence on the edge.
That is why KT is my selection here. Even though he was slowed by a pre-season knee injury that caused him to miss 2 games, KT’s talent and motor has been on display since his return. In 6 games played, he has amassed 14 total tackles, 6 pressures, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 sack.
He’s a menace that will only get better. Houston can lock up the high-end edge talent here and address CB later in the draft…stay tuned.
4: New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State (Sauce Gardner)
Another team with the same pick, only in a different draft slot. With the soon-to-be DROY in Sauce Gardner along the 2 best edge players already off the board, the Jets remain loyal to the original plan.
Garrett Wilson has been electric for the Jets to date and is truly becoming a WR1 right before our very eyes. His explosiveness and route running were never in question and GW has shown exactly why – to the tune of 42 receptions, 521 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Garrett has built great chemistry with Zach Wilson and has become a vital piece of the offense for the 6-3 New York Jets. Garrett Wilson is a star in the making, and all Jets fans are here to see it unfold.
5: New York Giants: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State (Kayvon Thibodeaux)
What a story the 2022 Giants have been. First year HC Brian Daboll would be my choice as Coach of the Year – never have I seen a coach do more with less. Even with the limitations the roster has they play smart, disciplined and effective football.
That being said, there are holes in the roster – as any team in year 1 of a rebuild would expect. None are more glaring than the WR room. Kadarius Toney was jettisoned out, Kenny Golladay has been an utter bust, Wan’dale Robinson has had a hard time staying on the field, and Richie James is…Richie James.
Olave is exactly what the G-Men need – a smooth and refined route runner with reliable hands and 4.35 speed. Olave has shined so far in 2022 getting the reps as the lead dog WR for the Saints.
43 receptions for 618 yards and 2 touchdowns – not too shabby. Olave and Saquon would be a helluva foundation for this NYG rebuild.
6: Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, OT Mississippi St (Ikem Ekwanu)
Cross has been arguably the best offensive lineman from the 2022 draft. He has allowed 4 sacks and has been dinged for 4 penalties in 600+ snaps but has otherwise played exceptional – well exceeding expectations.
An 86.2 pass block grade has him right up there with the upper echelon of left tackles in the league – a true feat for player who just turned 21 years old.
Carolina could lock up Cross and not have to worry about the LT position for the next 15 years – and thank God, because they have plenty of other things to worry about.
7: New York Giants: Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa (Evan Neal)
This pick may be construed as my first “questionable” decision – but I need you to hear me out. First off, yes – the entire NYG offensive line outside of Andrew Thomas is pedestrian at best. You can easily make the point that RT is more important than C is.
So, if I Evan Neal or Icky slotted here – the G-Men do fine. The problem is it doesn’t fix the gaping hole that the Giants have in the middle of the line – the spot where most of the pressure on Daniel Jones is coming from.
Looking at this draft class, the OT can be addressed in the 2nd/3rd round while the C position cannot. With Gates coming back from his own devastating injury and Linderbaum on board, the Giants can plug C and RG.
Linderbaum has started every single snap in 2022 and film shows him with a positive win rate in both the run and the pass. Many won’t like the position at #7 but you got to love the player – and to effectuate a solid rebuild you need good players.
8: Atlanta Falcons: Derek Stingley, Jr CB LSU (Drake London)
Stingley over Woolen? The answer is simply – either one is fine.
All 3 of the top CB’s to date (Gardner/Woolen/Stingley) have played very well. You can make the argument that any of them can be ranked #1, #2 or #3.
Atlanta’s defensive scheme is a lot more press man based, so Stingley is just the better fit than Woolen here. DSJ would line up across from AJ Terrell and cause a very imposing proposition for opposing QB’s.
Seemingly over the foot injury that hampered him in college, Stingley has impressed putting up 41 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception. His athleticism is through the roof and the ATL would be a very exciting place for years to come.
9: Seattle Seahawks: Tariq Woolen, CB UTSA (Charles Cross)
Welp, that didn’t take long. Woolen comes off the board after his positional competition and fellow candidates for defense rookie of the year come off at #1 and #8 respectfully.
Woolen has been a god send in the back of the Seattle defense so far to date, leading all rookies in the NFL with 5 interceptions and coming in the top 30 at the position in tackles with 33 and in the top 10 in passes defended with 9.
The 6’4’’ behemoth with legit 4.25 speed has fit in like a glove on the cover-3 that Pete Carroll runs in Seattle. The Legion of Boom 2.0 is being built and Woolen is one of the foundation pieces.
10: New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu, OT NC State (Garrett Wilson)
In this scenario, with the top 3 cornerbacks already off the board the Jets target some help for the one position that has been a revolving door for them since the preseason – offensive tackle.
Let’s look at the players that have lined up at some point at tackle for us this year: Mekhi Becton, George Fant, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Duane Brown, Max Mitchell, Cedric Ogbuhehi, Conor McDermott. You get the point?
Ekwonu has struggled a bit more than what was expected with 10 sacks allowed from the LT position, but he has one ability that has avoided most of the Jets offensive tackles – availability. Ekwonu playing RT this season and possible LT in the future would be a huge zipper on the patchwork OL the Jets have sewed together. Big, strong and only 21-years-old – he’d be a welcome addition to Gang Green now and for years to come.
11: New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB Pitt (Chris Olave)
Can we please move off of Jamies Winston and Andy Daulton, like now?
The Saints have been everything you’d expect from a mediocre team. Lots of band aids on bullet holes down in the Bayou these days. Get a foundation piece QB in there and call it a day once and for all.
Is Pickett that guy? The jury is still out, but the youngster from the University of Pitt has taken both of his gloves, grabbed the job from Mitch Trubisky and run with it in Pittsburgh this season.
He’s making some expected rookie mistakes, but Pickett has shown some moxie and signs that he can be a good leader. All of the skill position players & back-end defenders the Saints keep drafting don’t help if the other foundation pieces are not in place. Being in salary cap hell and with no 1st rounder in ’24, Pickett at least gives them a solid foundation piece to re-build with.
12: Detroit Lions: Devin Lloyd, LB Utah (Jamison Williams)
Lloyd was arguably the best linebacker in the 2023 draft. You can officially take the “arguably” tag off.
Llyod has come in like a man on a mission in 2023 to the tune of 75 combined tackles, 6 TFL’s, 2 interceptions and a touchdown.
A big man who can move in space and plays hard downhill, Llyod plays every single rep with grown-man intensity and a childish fervor – a perfect combination if you ask me.
13: Philadelphia Eagles: Jaquan Brisker, S Penn State (Jordan Davis)
Coming into the draft we all knew that the safety prospects was a very, very deep group. Depending on who you asked, you could’ve heard 1 of 3 or 4 different names at the top.
Halfway through the season, it’s hard to argue anyone other than brisker as the top dog. The Eagles have few holes on their roster right now – one of them is the FS starting opposite of SS Chauncy Gardner-Johnson.
What a perfect fit Brisker would be here.
A day one starter, Brisker has amassed 62 tackles, 3 sacks and an interception – not too shabby of a rookie year so far. Philly would have their backend of the defense locked up from the next 5 years with a 22-year-old Brisker and the 24-year-old CGJ.
14: Baltimore Ravens: Evan Neal, OT Alabama (Kyle Hamilton)
Is Ronnie Stanley ever going to be healthy? The answer to that is probably not, so why not secure yourself the best OT prospect left on the board in Evan Neal.
Neal has had his struggles early on and is currently nursing a knee injury (an injured OT for the Ravens, how apropos) but should come back shortly.
Adept at both LT and RT, Neal is Ronnie Stanley/Morgan Moses insurance and ultimate replacement. You can’t coach 6’9’’ 330 pounds – Neal already has that. I love this fit.
15: Houston Texans: Trent McDuffie, CB Washington (Kenyon Green)
Freshly (and loose) laid sod on the KC practice field that ultimately caused McDuffie to pull a hamstring and miss 6 weeks. If not for that hiccup, we could be talking about 4 different corners for rookie of the year consideration.
Yes, Trent McDuffie is that good.
A D.J. Reed clone with very comparable height/weight/speed and strong tackling abilities, McDuffie has worked himself into the whispers of being labeled a “shutdown corner”.
Yes, I say again that Trent McDuffie is that good.
Houston would run to the podium to match up Trent with Kayvon and place 2 alpha males on this defense.
16: Washington Commanders: Jack Jones, CB Arizona St (Jahan Dotson)
Year one of the Commanders starts with a slot CB in Jack Jones. Not exciting, but definitely a move that makes the most sense in hindsight.
The Commanders thought they had signed their SCB with the signing of William Jackson, but that obviously fizzled out and Jackson has been since shipped out of town.
Jones has been everything one could ask for from a slot corner. Speedy, shifty, physical and with a full understanding of both man and zone concepts.
Jones is a sure tackler and was coached in college by legendary NFL DB Herm Edwards, so you know Jones came into the league prepared and ready to go. It has proven out well – 41 tackles and 3 interceptions for Jones – all while only seeing the field 64% of the time.
17: Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT Georgia (Zion Johnson)
Jordan Davis is a large human being and causes havoc every time he steps on the field. The Chargers’ defense has a large need for a run-stuffing presence, especially with the parting of ways with former 1st round pick Jerry Tillery.
This is a match made in heaven.
The numbers don’t jump off the page in a straight statistical sense – 8 solo tackles, 6 assists, 1 QB pressure and 1 pass defended but his true measure is the disruption he causes on the field. It takes 2 guys at all times to body him up, and that is exactly what is missing with the LA defense right now.
18: Tennessee Titans: Trayvon Walker, EDGE Georgia (Treylon Burks)
The #1 overall pick in the true draft comes off the board here to the Titans who seem like they can always use more edge help.
Walker started out hot but, has cooled down as some weeks have passed. The long-term prognosis is still high on Walker. You cannot coach the athleticism a player like him possesses. Surrounding him in a talented defense would only help him reach his true potential. Walker is going to be good, but he has to learn to walk before he can run.
19: New Orleans Saints: Jamaree Salyer, OT Georgia (Trevor Penning)
The 3rd consecutive Georgia player comes off the board here for the Saints. No other player has had more of a meteoric rise than Salyer, a 6th round selection in the true 2022 NFL Draft.
An unfortunate season ending injury to Rashawn Slater thrust Salyer into a role in week 3, and the rookie has taken the reigns and run with them. Over 6 starts, he has allowed no sacks and 1 QB pressure while producing an 85.4% win rate (per Pro Football Reerence) in all of his run sets.
The Saints used the earlier 1st round selection on their QB of the future and secure his blind side protection here in the re-boot with Salyer. Foundations are built from the ground up.
20: Pittsburgh Steelers: Abraham Lucas, OT Washington (Kenny Pickett)
Another big need gets checked off for the Steelers here in the re-boot with the selection of Lucas. A true RT, Lucas has stepped into the NFL with a vengeance – using his 6’8’’ 320 frame to utterly dominate his opponents.
For a team with an all-world talent like Najee Harris in the backfield and skilled players at the TE and WR positions already in place, the Steelers set forth a plan to give the skill guys some time to make plays.
Adept in both run and pass sets, Lucas can be a mainstay for years to come in the Steel City and allows them to fill more holes along the aging defense and get back to a level of play suitable for Steeler Nation.
21: Kansas City Chiefs: Breece Hall, RB Iowa St (Trent McDuffie)
As a Jets fan, this one hurt to put down on paper. Gang Green Nation has witnessed firsthand the sheer talent and skill that Breece offers an offense.
Can you imagine what he would be doing with Patrick Mahomes and company in KC? Good God, it is scary to even think how much better they could be offensively.
The one missing component to the KC offense is that true do-it-all weapon out of the backfield that defenses must account for. They thought it would be Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but they thought wrong. With Breece under wraps, the Chiefs would be a lock to challenge any team in the NFL for a title.
22: Green Bay Packers: Drake London, WR USC (Quay Walker)
Year after year, it seems that the Packers leave the draft or free agency without a weapon for the arsenal of Aaron Rodgers. This re-boot kicks that habit as Drake London – all 6’6’’ and 225 pounds of him fall into their lap and the Pack pounce.
London has all the raw talent and ability in the world, so far in 2022 it has yet to be unveiled. The run-happy offense of Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith has really hampered the play-making ability of London.
That wouldn’t happen in the Bay with Air Rodgers at the helm. The big target could fill in admirably for the departed Devonte Adams and still not hamper the Pack from addressing the WR room with more depth and talent in the later rounds.
Get the ball to London and watch London make plays – he would look really good in green and gold and covered in cheese.
23: Buffalo Bills: Dameon Pierce, RB Florida (Kaiir Elam)
There is nothing I like to see (or in this case do) more than watch the #BillsMafia get a good ol’ screw job. In both the real draft and the re-boot, their prized possession of Breece Hall gets snaked a few picks prior to them getting the chance.
Good thing is, in the re-boot their consolation prize isn’t too shabby.
Dameon Pierce has taken the world by storm and currently leads all NFL rookie RB’s in yards, attempts, and yards per attempt. He is the front runner for offensive Rookie of the Year at the moment.
He’s generated a lot of buzz for his ability to offer help in the passing game – with both his hands and his lineman-like blocking prowess.
On top of that, the guy has a 3rd gear like no other. He’s a big play waiting to happen. I just hope he likes the cold weather…
24: Dallas Cowboys: Kirby Joseph, S Illinois (Tyler Smith)
Kirby Joseph has been one of the many surprises throughout the first half of the NFL season thus far. Joseph has cemented his role at the SS position and has done it emphatically.
Pro Football Reference lists Joseph with 38 tackles (21 solo), 3 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 sack. Wowzers.
A young, dominant safety is exactly what the Dallas defense is missing. Statistically, Joseph is outplaying Jayron Kearse, the 29-year-old starter in Dallas currently. Pairing him up with Malik Hooker would add that thunder and lightning component in the back end and propel them into the top 5 defenses in the league.
25: Baltimore Ravens: George Pickens, WR Georgia (Tyler Linderbaum)
Similar to the Green Bay Packers, how long can the Ravens go without truly spending some high-end capital on a WR?
It has been and still is the bane of their offensive existence. Feel whatever way you want about Lamar and his throwing prowess; the offense struggles immensely if there are no targets for him to even attempt to throw to.
With Mark Andrews and Rashard Bateman both out due to injury, the offense has been a shell of itself.
Enter stage right – George Pickens.
Pickens could add a certifiable dog to the squad at the X position, allowing Batemen to play Z and have Devin Duvernay in the slot where he belongs. Pickens would immediately take some of the attention away from Andrews as well and open up more running lanes for Lamar and Dobbins.
26: New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE Florida St (Jermaine Johnson)
As a Jets fan, I assure you that I did not plan it this way in advance – no other team between the Titans at 18 and this pick now were placed with an edge rusher, and I still feel JJ best suits the needs of the Jets.
In limited action so far, he has made his presence felt – aggressively setting the edge in run sets and turning in 10 tackles, 3 sacks and 6 QB pressures.
The heavy rotation of NYJ defenders has JJ getting a little less run than some of his rookie draft class counterparts, but there is a future for him with the Jets and that future is very bright.
The uncertainty of Carl Lawson returning in 2023 along with Vinny Curry who is on an expiring contract should open up more defensive reps for Johnson. A stud in the making for sure.
27: Jacksonville Jaguars: Quay Walker, LB Georgia (Devin Lloyd)
Walker has stood out early in 2022 as one of the gems late in the first round. A physical specimen at 6’4’’ and 240 pounds, Walker has 77 total tackles, 3 TFL’s, 3 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles and 2 passes defended while starting 9 games for the Packers, his true draft team.
Jacksonville would utilize his size and speed in the middle of their attacking 3-4 defense while also utilizing his plus athleticism in sub-LB packages. They may have lost out on Devin Llyod in the re-boot, but the talent level did not fall too far off with the selection of Walker.
28: Green Bay Packers: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE Penn St (Devonte Wyatt)
Ebiketie came off the board with the 1st pick of the second round in the true draft, so he moves up a couple of spots in the re-boot and lands with the Packers.
A.E. has wreaked havoc on the opposition as a pass rush specialist, with 13 QB pressures and 1.5 sacks so far this year.
Green Bay could use a dominant pass rusher. The Packers are reeling from the season ending injury to Rashan Gary and really never filling the void left by Za’Darious Smith who was jettisoned to the Vikings in the off-season.
Ebiketie, accustomed to the cold weather from his days in Happy Valley would be the burst of energy needed to return this defense back to the level of dominance normally associated with the Packers.
29: New England Patriots: Romeo Doubs, WR Nevada (Cole Strange)
Poor Mac Jones doesn’t have a reliable go-to WR in the stable.
I’m crying crocodile tears over here, I swear.
The Pats have swung and missed at virtually every WR since the days of Julian Edelman. Doubs would provide that spark that this offense seems to be missing. He came into the league very raw from the University of Nevada, but is lightning quick.
You cannot teach 4.28 speed.
Romeo has racked up 31 receptions for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns so far this season as Aaron Rodgers de-facto number 1 WR.
He would step in and would complement Devonte Parker and Jakobi Myers perfectly. Give Mac Jones a target who has sure hands and can run the entire route tree – expect positive vibes.
30: Kansas City Chiefs: Roger McCreary, CB Auburn (George Karlaftis)
Roger McCreary is a warrior. He was battle tested. His collegiate successes have parlayed to a phenomenal start of his young NFL career.
Scouts thought he’d end up as a slot corner in the NFL, but he has proven them wrong – manning the outside effectively and efficiently to the tune of 56 tackles (46 solo) 2 interceptions and 1 QB hit.
The game is not too fast or too big for McCreary – he’d be a welcome addition to Steve Spagnolo’s defense lining up opposite of fellow rookie Josh Williams and next to slot CB La’Darius Sneed, giving the Chiefs the opportunity to play man D and blitz some more.
31: Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Parham, OC/OG Memphis (Daxton Hill)
If I am in charge of the Bengals, I just keep drafting offensive linemen early year after year after year. At some point, a few of them will hit – hopefully. The Bengals could use help at any/all of the OL spots with the exception of possibly RG where Alex Cappa has come in and played well.
Parham has stepped into a role in Vegas and has been a pleasant surprise. Since inserted in the starting lineup halfway through the 1st game for the Raiders, Parham has not waivered.
At 6’3’’ and 285 pounds, the nimble OL has played LG and C and has brought an agile and explosive aspect to run blocking that the previous regime never had. Cinci can fill this hole now and hope that that La’el Collins and Jonah Williams figure out at the tackle position.
32: Minnesota Vikings: Jalen Pitre, S Baylor (Lewis Cine)
God, I loved Lewis Cine as a prospect coming out of college. Without the season-ending knee injury he suffered early in the year, he may have earned the right to stay with the Vikings in the re-boot.
Cine is now injured, so it’s time to discuss Jalen Pitre.
Pitre has been a do-it-all Swiss Army knife type of player in the backend of the Texans defense this year. 65 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and a few fumble recoveries – I’d say he is leaving his mark early.
Minnesota could use this type of talent right now in the defensive backfield – one that seems to have aged like a fine wine but is getting really close to souring. Pitre is a young stud that is blooming right before our eyes – in this scenario, the Vikes don’t let him make it to the second round.
Well, there you have it – a mid-season re-boot of the 2022 NFL draft. It is always much easier to play GM with hindsight goggles on, I get it.
As Jets fans, we invest so much in the draft and the prospects leading up to the draft. As soon as the draft is over and these players we have learned to love and studied about for so long are not Jets – they fall out of our minds – like they never even existed.
If nothing more, consider this article an exercise to rehash all the film work, studying and mock drafts you may have completed on these players. God willing, we won’t be talking about draft position and prospects for a loooong time.
And, I’m OK with that idea – isn’t that just grand?
Oh, how dark it was before the dawn…
Let’s go Jets…
Top site ,.. amazaing post ! Just keep the work on !