With the New York Jets on the brink of playoff elimination heading into Week 14, we can focus our attention on Gang Green in our latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Can they turn around their fortunes with these nine selections next April in the 2022 NFL Draft?
New York Jets 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
While Zach Wilson has had his struggles during his rookie season, the Jets are in the fortunate position of not having to delve into the murky waters of the 2022 NFL Draft quarterback class.
Remarkably, the 2022 class is deeply talented in several positions that the Jets need to transform their performance from problematic to potent. Let’s examine the selections that Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Ian Cummings made for the Jets in his recent 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Round 1, Pick 4: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The offensive line has been an issue for the Jets in 2021. Although not all sacks can be attributed to that unit, they’ve given up the ninth-most in the NFL. Wilson has been sacked on 9.3% of his pass attempts this season. Only Justin Fields has a higher sack percentage.
Although they have been without the injured Mekhi Becton for large swathes of the season, upgrades are needed in a big way. They don’t come much bigger than Alabama OT Evan Neal. The 6’7″ 340-pounder is an absolute behemoth. He’s strong, athletic, and a ruthless people mover. Furthermore, his experience playing either side of the line ensures he can plug in and play from Day 1.
Round 1, Pick 5: David Ojabo, DE, Michigan
O-JAB-O!!! Gus Johnson’s cries can still be heard as the soundtrack to David Ojabo‘s menacing presence in opposing backfields across the nation. He’s fast, furious, and his pass-rush moves are downright filthy. The 6’5″, 250-pound Michigan defensive end may be relatively inexperienced, but he’s tallied 12 tackles for loss and 11 sacks this season.
Both Shaq and Carl Lawson have walked through the MetLife Stadium doors this season to try and add a pass-rush presence. With a combination of injury and ineffectiveness, the Jets rank as one of the worst teams in the NFL in terms of quarterback pressure. Ahead of Week 14, they’ve averaged pressure on just 22.9 of QB dropbacks. The addition of Ojabo in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft should ensure more success next season.
Round 2, Pick 36: David Bell, WR, Purdue
The Jets invested free agency and draft capital in Corey Davis and Elijah Moore earlier this year. While Moore has shown signs of developing into the explosive threat we saw at Ole Miss, and Davis leads the team in receiving yards, the wide receiver room could use further reinforcement.
In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Jets get one of the most exciting receivers in the class. David Bell is a physical threat who exhibits exceptional body control and strong hands at the catch point. Additionally, he’s a dangerous after-the-catch threat that turns defenders into spaghetti with some of his open-field movements.
Round 2, Pick 40: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Heading into Week 14, the Jets rank 27th in the NFL with just 3.9 yards per carry. Moreover, they rank just 30th in yards per game. Being behind in games doesn’t help the rushing attack, but neither does an inability to impose your will from the get-go. Rookie Michael Carter leads the way, but he has just 430 yards and 4 touchdowns this season.
In Breece Hall, the Jets get a genuine home-run threat in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The Iowa State running back is one of just two players with three 70-plus-yard rushes this year. Additionally, Hall possesses impressive explosion, elusiveness, and change-of-direction ability. Some analysts have Hall as the RB1 of the class, and thus, he represents decent value at No. 40.
Round 3, Pick 68: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
“Name a Jets cornerback” was a standing joke at the start of the 2021 NFL season. It hasn’t turned out to be that funny, with the Jets having the fewest interceptions in the NFL this year. Furthermore, they’ve allowed the second-highest completion percentage to opposing QBs, while giving up the fourth-most yards per game.
A young secondary will likely need a veteran addition in the offseason. However, they could also use an injection of exceptional young talent. That is exactly what they get in Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams. An explosive athlete with decent length, Williams is a combative cornerback who flies around the field and is particularly aggressive in run support.
Round 4, Pick 111: Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
After missing the best part of two seasons with injury, the Jets are finally starting to see some return on their investment in C.J. Mosley. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Jets return to the Alabama well to bolster their linebacker group.
Henry To’o To’o has been impressive in his debut season in Tuscaloosa, leading the team in tackles and adding 7.5 TFL and 4 sacks. He has the speed, explosiveness, and instincts to be a three-down player, doing his best work in the box but possessing coverage ability.
Round 4, Pick 115: Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin
Some of the leading receivers in Jets’ franchise history made their money at the tight end position. Mickey Shuler, Jerome Barkum, and Rich Caster all reside within the top 10 of receiving yards for Gang Green.
There isn’t a threat of that nature on the Jets’ roster right now, but they rectify that situation with the addition of Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. A seam and red-zone threat, Ferguson is another weapon for Wilson.
Round 5, Pick 146: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
The Jets double up at DB in this 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft! Last year, we saw being a smaller swashbuckler in the secondary from TCU had a significant impact on draft stock, with Ar’Darius Washington going undrafted despite his stellar skill set.
At 5’9″ and 176 pounds, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is a similar size. Although that could severely impact his stock, THT is an explosive, combative, playmaking cornerback.
Round 5, Pick 157: Andrew Stueber, OL, Michigan
As with their other fifth-round pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Jets go double-dipping. This time it’s on the offensive line, with a man who has been pivotal to Michigan’s College Football Playoff run.
Andrew Stueber is an experienced and versatile offensive line prospect. He’s played both guard and tackle for the Wolverines. This season, he’s shown vast improvements in the run game to go alongside some impressive pass-protection ability.