Should the New York Jets draft an offensive tackle early in the 2023 NFL Draft? If so, which options might best fit the team’s preference and range? Here’s a look at some of the names they may be inclined to consider.
2023 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Prospects for the New York Jets
With a roster nearing playoff readiness, there’s a good chance the Jets pursue a veteran quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo and seek to move on from the Zach Wilson saga quickly. Whoever’s under center, however, will need a reliable pair of tackles on the boundaries.
The Jets thought they had their solution at tackle when they drafted Mekhi Becton early in Round 1 a few years ago. But since his rookie season, Becton has struggled to stay healthy and remain available. And the team’s stop-gaps in 2022 — Duane Brown and George Fant — were just that: Stopgaps.
New York has 2022 fourth-round pick Max Mitchell in the rotation, but they need to re-invest in an early-round tackle. Who makes sense for them in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Broderick Jones, Georgia
Projected Range: Round 1
After his playoff performance, Broderick Jones should continue to shoot up the 2023 NFL Draft board. He was rising through the entire 2022 campaign, but now, he’s close to fully realizing his potential as an early-to-mid first-round pick.
Jones is appealing for the Jets as a run blocker. With Breece Hall coming back from injury, having an athletic, powerful mauler like Jones clearing lanes would be invaluable. He’s a bit underdeveloped as a pass protector still, but his traits can be dominating on the left side.
Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
Projected Range: Round 1
Like Jones, Anton Harrison will also be in play at 13th overall for New York. Jones has more name recognition as one of the bonafide first-round tackles in the 2023 NFL Draft, but Harrison is just as good and has comparable physical upside.
Jones might be a bit more dynamic as a run blocker, but Harrison has great athleticism and physicality in space in his own right. And if you’re looking for a rookie to be a quality blindside blocker on Day 1 in pass protection, Harrison has the hands and footwork to get it done.
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Projected Range: Round 1-2
Valuations on Peter Skoronski could be a bit more volatile across the league. But there’s a reason he’s been a regular in first-round mocks throughout the 2023 NFL Draft cycle. In spite of his lacking arm length, Skoronski’s one of the best blockers in the group.
You could argue that 13th overall is a bit high for Skoronski. For the Jets, however, having a lineman with the kind of smooth footwork, steady hands, and consistent leverage that Skoronski has would be beneficial. He also has projected versatility across the front.
Tyler Steen, Alabama
Projected Range: Round 2-3
If the Jets go a different route in Round 1, there are quality tackle options on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft as well. Names like Dawand Jones, Wanya Morris, Jaelyn Duncan, and Darnell Wright come to mind, but Tyler Steen and Matthew Bergeron might be two of the Jets’ specific top options.
Steen is a former Vanderbilt transfer who played out the 2022 season at Alabama. He has experience and versatility between the left and right side, but there’s more to his profile than that. Steen’s quietly a great athlete with fast feet and flexibility, and he has the active hand use to hit the ground running.
Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
Projected Range: Round 2-3
Like Steen, Matthew Bergeron also has left-right versatility at the tackle spot, but his floor isn’t as high as Steen’s. Bergeron still needs to improve his timing and hand usage, and he can be a bit uncontrolled past his kick as well. Nevertheless, he has upside worth banking on.
Bergeron has great size at around 6’5″, 320 pounds. Yet, he moves incredibly well. He’s a very spry athlete off the line with the high-end corrective athleticism to match edge rushers over 50 pounds lighter, and he can drive defenders downfield in the run game as well.