Grading the Jets' 2023 Draft Class: Finding Value on Day Two and Three

[Jack Straw]

Round 1, Pick #15 - Will McDonald, Edge, Iowa State
Grade: B-
The Jets had to adapt quickly when OT  Broderick Jones was snatched away by the Steelers after a trade with the Patriots at pick 14. Joe Douglas spent nearly all of his allotted draft time fielding trade offers that he ultimately found unsuitable, and turned in the selection of Will McDonald, an edge rusher from Iowa State with impressive length, speed, and bend. McDonald's college tape shows an explosive first step, coupled with a relentless motor and great bend around the edge. He has also demonstrated a variety of pass-rushing moves, with a quick spin move standing out.

While McDonald might have been the highest-ranked player on Joe D's true "talent" draft board, it's unlikely that he was the highest-ranked player on his weighted-value board. While his physical traits align with the draft strategy Joe Douglas consistently employs, it's uncertain how much time he'll see on the field in year one. With Carl Lawson and Bryce Huff on expiring deals, the pick fills a need for 2024. But passing up on WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and TE Dalton Kincaid will surely leave Jets fans wondering if this was the right pick for 2023. This pick earns a grade of B- because while Joe Douglas stayed true to his board and addressed one of the most important positions on the field, he didn't select someone who will have an immediate impact at a position of immediate need. But a surplus today is a need tomorrow, and you can never have enough pass rushers in a conference with Mahomes, Herbert, Allen, Burrow, and Trevor Lawrence.

Round 2, Pick #43 - Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin 
Grade: B+
Joe Tippmann provides a long-term solution at the center position, offering a unique combination of size and athleticism. Tippmann's college tape shows that he's comfortable climbing to the second level to identify and engage with linebackers on the move. Tippmann's addition strengthens the offensive line's interior, which struggled after injuries decimated this unit in 2022. His development will be critical to the future success of the team's offensive line, but he'll have a chance to win the job in training camp right away. 

Round 4, Pick #120 - Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh
Grade: B+
The Jets picked up Carter Warren, an offensive tackle from Pittsburgh, to address their immediate need for depth at LT. Warren offers extensive college tape and an exceptional 36-inch arm length, making him an attractive pick for the trait-loving Joe Douglas. Older and more experienced than many prospects, Warren could be better prepared to contribute right away, which is crucial given the team's current win-now mode. Warren's experience and physical traits should help solidify the offensive line and protect Aaron Rodgers, providing much needed depth at LT behind Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton. Joe Douglas likely considered Carter's projected production to the available free agents and concluded that Carter offers similar expected production but at only 1/8th the cost, making this easy decision that offers excellent value at pick #120.

Round 5, Pick 143: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
Grade: B
When sifting through who the Jets could target at the RB position, I kept coming back to three traits that I thought Joe D would value -- and those were size, speed, and production. And at 5'10.5" and 216lbs with 4.45 speed, Abanikanda was able to check those boxes, making him an obvious choice in the fifth round. The Jets needed to add a capable, if not unspectacular, option behind Breece Hall, and Abanikanda can provide that depth right away. Abanikanda, still only 20 years old, provides good value in the 5th round and will serve as the primary backup behind Breece Hall. With the Jets being tight against the salary cap, inexpensive options at backup RB are a necessity, and this pick offers a solution to that challenge.

Round 6, Pick 184: Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan
Grade: B+
Barnes is undersized, but after clocking a 4.54-second 40-yard dash, it's easy to see what attracted Joe Douglas to this pick. Linebacker, while a need, was never a serious option on day one or two, with athletic 230-pounders being found all throughout the draft. While it's difficult to assess Barnes's skill and ability specifically, the combination of positional value and athletic traits makes this pick a solid risk-reward selection with upside. The Jets have added depth and strengthened their special teams with this pick, which exactly what the 6th round in the NFL is for.

Round 6, Pick #204 - Bernard-Converse, CB
Grade: A
His addition to the Jets' secondary will offer depth and competition at the cornerback position. At 6-foot-1, 197-pounds, Bernard-Converse ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the LSU Pro Day. These are the kinds of traits that Joe Douglas craves at this point in the draft. The Jets back-end depth at CB is an open competition, giving Bernard-Converse a real opportunity to make the final 53.

Round 7, Pick #220 - Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
Grade: A
At 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Kuntz's size and athleticism could create mismatches against opposing defenses, providing another weapon for the Jets' offense. While Kuntz might require some development, his upside makes him an intriguing addition to the tight end room. He'll likely be stashed on the practice squad in 2023 and is very much a lotto ticket, but this is the 7th round is for: drafting freaky athletes and seeing where they end up in a year or two.

Overall Draft Grade: B+

Although Joe Douglas likely envisioned this draft playing out differently, particularly at the top of the draft, they were able to secure talented players in Will McDonald, Carter Warren, Joe Tippmann, and Israel Abanikanda, all of whom have the ability to contribute right away. Joe Tipperman might be the only day one starter of the group, but that doesn't mean the class doesn't offer value. As you enter "win-mode" now, it's a good sign that finding day-one starters in the NFL draft is a difficult task. Joe Douglas, for better or worse, identifies the traits he likes in players (size, speed, length, athleticism) and drafts accordingly. All of these players possess traits that are "rare" at their respective positions, which is a philosophy I can get behind. Although not a perfect day, Joe D did a good job of sticking to his board and was able to find good value on day two and three.  
 

[LIJetsFan]

Thanks OP for the positive optimistic spin.  Just what I needed to hear/read.  All those Debbie downers in all those other threads were starting to getting me worried.  

[TuscanyTile2]

1 hour ago, LIJetsFan said:

Thanks OP for the positive optimistic spin.  Just what I needed to hear/read.  All those Debbie downers in all those other threads were starting to getting me worried.  

We can tell ourselves whatever we want in order to feel better.  Though the truth is that nobody knows anyway.  All we can do is speculate.

I will just say that when we get excited over 7th rounders, there's probably a reason they fell to the 7th round.