A Picture-Perfect New York Jets Draft 2022 Scenario
By Dom C.
With the 2022 NFL draft quickly approaching, most of us are mocked out at this point. We have read and re-read all the takes by these so-called “experts” floating around the internet and on YouTube. We have formulated our opinions and then we have then changed those opinions, sometimes more than once.
As avid Jets fans, this is what we do – we search and search and figure out how can we get it right once and for all.
The Jets have not yet had a GM that has been able to get it right – although Joe Douglas is the closest thing to “right” we have had in many years. I think it goes without saying that “In Joe We Trust”. But even the almighty J.D. has not been able to secure a spot-on hit rate on these drafted prospects.
If you recall, the New York Jets draft of 2020 may end up with more misses than hits (Zuniga, Morgan, Perine, etc). 2021 seems to have gotten off to a much better start, but it is early. The jury is still out on the class – we will need a couple more years to make a fair assessment.
As a Jets fan, don’t you sometimes just wish for some divine intervention? Like, when are we going to catch the break? Wouldn’t it be nice to have the perfect draft scenario fall right into our laps? As if the sea parted and every imaginable ideal situation was there for us and ripe for the picking? We would need the help of God Almighty for that to ever happen.
Hmmmm, what if…..God was a Jets fan?
Let’s take a look at one more mock draft. One that the Big Guy upstairs intervenes in on and causes all of us Jets fans to scream from the mountaintops, “FINALLY!!!”
Without further ado, here is an interpretation of the 2022 Jets full mock draft if the G.O.D. stepped in and blessed our wretched, cursed souls for once. Here we go…
The draft has started – Jacksonville takes the best player on their board at #1 in offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Detroit runs up to the podium to snatch the hometown kid Aiden Hutchinson at #2.
Then, the phone rings. Roger Goodell then announces, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a trade, the Carolina Panthers are now on the clock”. Carolina has a player in mind. Fearing that Atlanta, Seattle, and Pittsburgh may try and jump up ahead of them with the NY Giants at pick 5, they have shipped off their 2023 1st round pick along with pick #6 to move up to pick #3. Yikes!! The selection is Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.
The Jets catch the first break of the day.
#4: Kavon Thibodeaux, EDGE University of Oregon: Arguably the best player in the class falls to the Jets and JD does not hesitate. A true edge rushing threat for Robert Salah’s 4-man front to play opposite of Carl Lawson.
6’5’’ and weighing in at 260 pounds, Thibs has the quick first step, flexible bend and sufficient power that NFL coaches strive to obtain when scouting edge rushers. A cerebral player with enough moxie to survive the rough and tough NY media, the pick is a home run. Everyone from JD to Saleh to all the Jets fans around the world rejoice. The Jets got their guy.
Next up, the Giants draft Evan Neal at #5. The Texans, after trading down to #6, shock us by selecting talented WR Jamison Williams as the foundation piece to their rebuild. The Giants then select CB Sauce Gardner at #7. The Falcons choose WR Garrett Wilson at #8. The Seahawks select edge rusher Travon Walker at #9.
Then, RING, RING, RING. The Jets are on the clock and their phone starts to blow up. The call is answered and on the other line – Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst.
“JD, Brian from Green Bay here. Listen, I know you had your heart set on Williams or Wilson, but both are gone. Aaron Rodgers is busting my stones really hard complaining that he needs another weapon now that I shipped Adams to the desert. I need that true X receiver, and I don’t know if the guy I want will be there for me when our pick comes up. I need to get up to #10. How about I give you #22 and #53 for #10?”
JD hangs up. RING, RING, RING. “JD, it’s Brian again – don’t hang up! I’ll up my offer. I’ll give you #22, #53 and our 2nd round pick next year for #10. That is the best I can do.
JD puts on his cape and does what JD does…
“Brian, I got 2 ½ minutes on the clock. I’ll accept your offer IF and only IF you throw in pick #92.”
“JD, you are fleecing us! Who do you think I’m, John Schneider?”
“Moving up from #22 to #10 comes with a cost, Brian. You have 1 minute to decide…”
“Jesus, JD. I’ll add #92 but you need to give us a 4th rounder back. I need some players to put around Rodgers.”
“Brian, you have a deal. I’ll send you #10 and #117 for #22, #53, #92, and your 2023 2nd round pick. I’ll let the commissioner know you are on the clock. The Packers select their X receiver with the pick of Drake London at #10.
Three WR’s off the board in the first 10 picks – crazy! The rest of the first round moves along, and the Jets are now again on the clock…
#22: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State University: The Jets roll the dice and Mother Luck was on their side. They pass on London at #10 and land Olave at #22 along with a stockpile of picks for both this year and next.
Smooth and very fast, Olave is the quintessential route-runner at the position. He excels at all three levels of the field. Above-average hands, fluid body control, the ability to gain separation, and positional flexibility are his strong suits.
Playing with Corey Davis and Elijah Moore, the Jets would have the ability to play any and all of those guys at X, Z, and in the slot. His numbers speak for themselves. Olave produces and he will be an integral part of the offensive support system in year 2 for Zach Wilson.
#35: Tyler Linderbaum, C University of Iowa: Well, I guess for some people size does matter. I’m not sure if it was his less than desirable 31’’ arms, the sub-300-pound weigh in, or his scheme fit (or lack thereof) for certain teams. But it seems that arguably the best IOL in the class has fallen out of round 1 and right into the laps of the Jets at #35.
With Connor McGovern, PFF’s 9th highest ranked center in 2021 in his contract year and currently toting a hefty $10 million dollar cap hit, drafting Linderbaum makes total sense. The masterful understanding of line zone blocking schemes along with his elite punch strength, leg drive, and ability to succeed at the second level that Linderbaum offers would make the transition from McGovern seamless.
The question is, would that transition happen now, where we could save $9M in cap, or in 2023? Either way, Jets fans should be elated to see Linderbaum in green and white. Chalk up another organization-changing center for the Jets – he’s a real home run selection.
#38: Leo Chenal, LB University of Wisconsin: There is not a lot to dislike about Chenal’s gam. The guy was born to play linebacker. The frame of your prototypical old-school LB, Chenal plays hard and hits even harder.
At 250 pounds, he does have unique size for a linebacker in this day and age. Playing downhill and taking on head-on blockers ferociously has been his calling card.
That being said, Chenal is not just a 2-down thumper. Chenal does have more passing-down value than his large frame suggests. Though he may not have the fluidity/speed to keep up in man-to-man consistently (especially with running backs underneath), Chenal is an astute zone defender.
He gets proper depth in all of his drops. He knows how and when to slide across the field to keep throwing windows closed. Chenal is also a powerful blitzer, which may give him the opportunity to flex down to the edge in specific packages.
SAM linebacker is his fit in the Jets 4-3 scheme in 2022 with the assurance of sliding over to MIKE if we move on from CJ Mosley in 2023. Regardless of his position – MIKE or SAM, Chenal is going to make his mark in the league.
#53: Jalen Pitre, S Baylor University: With one of the picks acquired from Green Bay, The Jets select the Swiss Army Knife out of Baylor, Jalen Pitre.
A late bloomer, Pitre took off in his RS senior season, earning runner-up in the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s best defensive back in college football. Pitre has the size (5’11 ½’’ 200 pounds) speed (4.46 in the 40) and athleticism (6.70 3-cone and 36’’ vertical jump) that all teams look for in the backend of their defense.
Outstanding man cover skills. Pitre lined up mostly at slot CB in Baylor’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme last season. But he easily can be slotted into 2-deep or single-high safety, which will be his most likely role. Pitre makes plays all over the field and is an insanely good tackler. This bodes very well for him in adding another layer of run support.
Able to blitz from the outside with efficiency and tenacity, Pitre offers the play style that is not only scheme flexible but is also coveted by NFL defensive coordinators far and wide. He will make his presence known early and often in the NFL. He would offer the perfect complement to Jordan Whitehead and Ashtyn Davis on the back end of our defense.
RING, RING, RING. Oh boy, not again.
“Hello, JD – do you remember me? Your old pal John Schneider from Seattle. Listen, you owe me. I’m now the laughingstock of the Pacific Northwest. People up here routinely talk about getting “Schneidered” when they get the short end of the stick in something. I’m asking for a favor. I need to get up to #69. I got a guy that I need, and that I want. Please JD.”
“Hmmmm John, just to show you I’m not a bad guy, I’ll do it. But add in a 2023 4th rounder.”
“JD, done. Let the commissioner know that Seattle is now on the clock at #69…and the Jets now own pick #72 and Seattle’s 2023 4th rounder. (Seattle traded up to draft OT Daniel Faalele, a player whom the Jets did not even have a draftable grade on. Score another for the good guys).
#72: Phidarian Mathis, IDL University of Alabama: Mathis is a very, very large man, at 6’4’’ and over 315 pounds, it’s hard not to notice him on the field of play. The defensive lineman got better each year playing for Nick Saban, who utilized him mainly lined up on the guard or tackle with 2-gap responsibilities.
With immense lower body strength, great length, and very good lateral movement, Mathis has a knack to win at the P.O.A. A technician who utilizes good reads and vision, he follows his blocks and reads into the backfield well.
Although not the most athletic IDL in the class, Mathis still has enough bull rush in him to overpower the interior on pass sets. Fitted with the perfect situation coming into the Jets, he can fit right in to the IDL rotation. Mainly playing the role left behind by Foley Fatukasi as our in-house run stuffer.
With veteran leadership ahead of him with the like of Sheldon Rankins, Nathan Shepperd, and Solomon Thomas (who coincidentally are all playing on 1-year deals,) Mathis could take his time and not be pressed into tons of action while learning the nuances of what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Get ready for Mathis to be a big part of the D-Line in ’23.
#92: Damion Pierce, RB University of Florida: With the final pick in the trade back with Green Bay, the Jets secure the NYJ backfield Thunder to Michael Carter’s lightning by locking up Damion Pierce from Florida.
A very gifted and very physical runner, Pierce averaged a ridiculous 6.7 yards per carry at Florida in 2021. Built like a brick at 5’10’’ and 218 pounds, the punishing back runs with a low center of gravity. He plays with top-end contact balance, which allows him to always be moving and falling forward for positive yards.
He is elite in pass-pro, which should help him get on the field right off the bat ion the NFL. And he offers high-end elusiveness for a big back.
Though not the fastest straight-line speed at 4.58, he has enough burst to excel as a 1-cut and go player. A perfect fit for the NYJ zone blocking scheme. Pierce will be able to bring the presence between the tackles that we have not seen since the likes of Chris Ivory, who I identify as the perfect player comp for Pierce. Defenses will need to look out when Pierce has the ball and a head of steam.
#111: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio State University: The 4th round starts off with a bang seeing some of the big names that have fallen get plucked. Romeo Doubs goes to the Jaguars at 106 & LB Channing Tindall to the Texans at 107. These are two players who the Jets had high on their board at this point. Bummer.
There was one other player whom JD had in this tier with a mid-to-late 3rd round grade. And he still is there at #111, OT Nick Petit-Frere.
A big, strong and explosive player who can play either left or right tackle, NPF logged 22 career starts in Ohio State’s zone heavy blocking scheme. A former 5-star recruit and 1st team All-Big 10 selection, NPF checks all the boxes when it comes to the eye test for NFL tackles.
He offers Ideal size (6’5 ½’’ 319 pounds) and length (34’’ arms and 7’1’’ wingspan). He plays with fire and an explosive first step. Understanding the nuances of an NFL-caliber zone-blocking scheme already will aid in his learning process and help him see the field for meaningful snaps quicker.
NPF tends to play with way too high of a pad level at times. This leaves him susceptible to setting a soft outside edge. Speed rushers feasted on dipping, ripping, and getting around the corner.
NPF had his way with average competition but struggled against the top tier players. Seven of the 12 pressures he gave up in 2021 were from Aiden Hutchinson and David Ojabo. Ideally, with his run blocking prowess and zone-scheme familiarity, he settles in as a RT in the NFL with swing tackle capabilities.
NPF could be lined up to take over for George Fant if he is not retained in 2023. A good depth piece for 2022 with the chance to become a starter in the future.
#146: Alex Wright, EDGE UAB: Here in round 5, the Jets decide to double-dip at the edge spot. They hope to find a true diamond in the rough with the selection of Alex Wright out of UAB.
A true physical specimen, Wright stands 6’6’’ and weighs in at 272 pounds. Massive guy with big, strong hands that he uses violently and with purpose. Has exceptional get off and dynamic flexibility – especially for a man of his size.
Wright plays each rep straight to the whistle with a high motor and with mean intention. These are qualities that you love to see in an edge rusher. He’s a fighter.
Wright has experience playing both with his hand in the dirt and on his feet. He has the innate ability when stymied on a pass rush to get his big paws in passing lanes and knock away the balls. In 12 games last season he accumulated 45 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 6 sacks and 6 PBU.
Wright still has some room to grow. His pass rush is very one-dimensional right now and he has a tendency of lowering his head when engaging, which caused way too many missed tackles.
At this point in the draft, JD rolls the dice on the height/weight/speed intangibles and hopes to coach him up to a solid player. It’s easy to see his trajectory being that of a contributor on the D-Line with a few years of reps with some good coaching.
#163: Jake Ferguson, TE University of Wisconsin: Continuing to add depth is the focal point with the last selection the Jets make in the 2022 draft. That depth piece comes in TE Jake Ferguson, another player that the Jets had a late 3rd round grade on.
Standing 6’5’’, weighing 250 pounds, running a 4.79 40-yard and a sub-7.00 3-cone, Jake looks the part. 1st team all Big-10 selection with 45 receptions and four TD’s in 2021, Jake plays the part as well.
An above average pass catcher with good hands, good body control and good understanding of short-to-intermediate routes. Jake played in a very run-heavy scheme at Wisconsin which limited his counting stats.
He’s the prototypical player whose numbers in the NFL could easily surpass those in college just due to usage. Jake is an adequate blocker, not afraid to engage with bigger defenders and does a decent job setting the edge with strong hips and leverage. His good size & strong lower half will allow Jake to play in-line at the next level and his agility will allow him to flex out in certain situations.
Jake was a team captain and a special teams standout at Wisconsin. Only 22 years old, he could be the guy to replace CJ Uzomah in a few years as our Y with Conklin and Yeboah seeing time as the F. A perfect fit for the Jets and a viable piece of our future.
10 picks made under the care and guidance of divine power. We all wish the cards were dealt this way – at least, I do. To lock up a draft class as listed PLUS secure future draft capital (a 2nd from GB and a 4th from SEA) could be seen as nothing more than an utter success and a white light experience.
And just think, we only needed two things – JD and God. They make all good things possible.
Before you go to bed tonight, count your blessings and throw up an extra couple of words to the big guy or whatever/whomever it is you pray to. Ask to have the draft board fall exactly as he would want it and let’s hope that under those white robes lies a fresh green and white Zach Wilson jersey.
How dark it was before the dawn…
Let’s Go Jets…
One of my faves from Dom C so far!!!