Mar 2, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Give Joe Douglas some serious credit. He entered day one of the NFL draft with two picks in each of the first two rounds and walked away with three round 1 starters. Douglas dealt picks 35, 69 and 163 to the Titans for picks 26 and 111. By using pick 26 on edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, Douglas addressed three needs having taken cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson at 4 and 10 respectively.
So with three day one starters added, where do the Jets stand with days 2 and 3 still to play out?
The team should certainly be looking to add help at linebacker, running back, tight end and along the offensive line. Also, given the importance of each position, double-dipping at either wide receiver or edge rusher shouldn’t be ruled out.
Which players are still around who the Jets could consider?
LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia: Dean is a first-round talent who should hear his name called very early on day two unless concerns about his knee are far greater than we’re being led to believe. A bit on the smaller side but his instincts, motor and leadership make him well worth a high round two pick.
RB Breece Hall, Iowa State: We mocked Hall to the Jets earlier this week and still think he’d be a great addition to a suddenly potent offense. His outstanding vision, agility and explosiveness would give the Jets an outstanding 1-2 punch at running back if paired with Michael Carter.
LB Troy Anderson, Montana State: If the Jets want a bigger and more athletic linebacker than Dean, Anderson should be in play. Anderson run like a running back on defense and there’s a good reason for that. Anderson and his 4.42 40 transitioned from running back and quarterback to linebacker.
DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma: This won’t go over as well as a splashy offensive playmaker or do it all linebacker, but the Jets need some help on the interior and there are only a handful of players in this class who can step in and contribute right away. Winfrey is one of them.
LB: Chad Muma, Wyoming: A long, rangy ‘backer who was converted from safety, Muma is a big time player who covers a ton of ground and should go early on day two.
Edge Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State: Even having just traded up to snag Jermaine Johnson, the Jets should not rule out double-dipping at edge and Ebiketie is a top end talent at edge rusher.
Edge Boye Mafe, Minnesota: See above.
S Jalen Pitre, Baylor: Pitre may be listed as a safety, but in all reality he would give the Jets a hybrid safety/linebacker/slot corner. He’s a heady player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. If not the Jets, somebody is going to get a heck of a player in Pitre.
OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: The Jets may have passed on an offensive tackle at the top of round one, but if they do decided to grab a future starter at some point, it could be Raimann in round two because he won’t last beyond that.
Edge Nick Bonitto, Oklahoma: Easily the most underrated edge player in this class, Bonitto spent the 2021 season terrorizing opposing quarterbacks and could do the same as a pro.
TE Trey McBride, Colorado: The McBride hype died down a few weeks ago after Jets fans spent a fair bit of time obsessing over the Colorado State product, but he still offers an intriguing option as a three down player.