2023 Jets Country Full Team Mock Draft 2.0

The New York Jets land No. 1-ranked receiver along with three battle-tested linemen in 2023 NFL Draft projections

Happy Draft Day, Jets Country. 

With Round 1 set to kick off tonight, the time is perfect for one final full team mock draft. 

Since the Jets Country Mock Draft 1.0 was released, Joe Douglas and Co. have re-signed center Connor McGovern and five 2023 selections changed hands in the Aaron Rodgers trade. 

In response, it was necessary to tweak the team's draft plan ahead of Thursday night. 

The Jets head to Kansas City with five total picks, including the No. 15 overall selection from the Green Bay Packers. New York will hit the clock once in Rounds 1, 2 and 4 before taking two turns in Round 5. 

While an offensive tackle is likely in their crosshairs early, Jets' brass also needs to fill holes at defensive tackle and free safety. As to what will be available to them at No. 15 in the first round is anyone's guess. 

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer provided an honest assessment when he said, "This is as hard a draft to predict as I can remember."

Here's one way it can all unfold for Gang Green over the next three days in Kansas City...

Jets Country Full Team Mock Draft

15 JETS (R1) [from GB]: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
I had the Jets nabbing the top-ranked receiver prospect at No. 13 overall in the Jets Country 2023 Mock Draft 1.0 and that doesn’t change even though Gang Green has dropped two spots in the Round 1 draft order.

With the top-three offensive tackles going off the board before No. 15, Gang Green settles for Garrett Wilson’s former Ohio State teammate. Playing alongside Wilson and fellow first-rounder Chris Olave, Smith-Nijba set Ohio State single-season records for receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606) in 2021.

After clocking the fastest times amongst the entire WR group at the NFL Combine in both the three-cone drill (6.57) and 20-yard shuttle (3.93), Smith-Njiba stands at No. 1 overall on NFL Draft Bible’s Receivers Big Board. 

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba speaks at the 2023 NFL Combine / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

43 JETS (R2): Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
Another selection that remains the same in our second JC Mock. After not getting a tackle in Round 1, Gang Green picks up an accomplished offensive lineman in Round 2.

Steen seamlessly slid in as Alabama's starting left tackle in 2022 after transferring from fellow Southeastern Conference member Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6 bookend, who put up 29 reps on the 225-pound bench press, started all 13 games for the Crimson Tide and allowed only 12 QB pressures. 

Including his final three seasons at Vandy, Steen completed his collegiate career by making 46 consecutive starts. He’s shown the potential to kick inside at guard, if needed.

112 JETS (R4): Scott Matlock, DT, Boise State
Last time around, I had the Jets taking UCLA center Jon Gaines II in this spot. Monday’s re-signing of Connor McGovern lessened the immediate need for an interior lineman at this juncture.

Joe Douglas loves linemen and the Jets need depth at defensive tackle. That’s where Matlock comes in. Arguably the biggest NFL Combine snub of the draft class, the 6-foot-4 Boise State Bronco did not miss a single start over his last three collegiate campaigns.

His 29.5-inch vertical jump is one half-inch better than what Clemson’s Bryan Bresee recorded at the Combine while his 29 bench press reps would’ve ranked third overall amongst defensive tackle prospects there.

Boise State DT Scott Matlock / Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

143 JETS (R5): Kaevon Merriweather, FS, Iowa
No need to change this fifth-round pick from what it was in the Jets Country Mock Draft 1.0 as it still makes sense for Douglas and Co. to fill a need at free safety.

Exactly 10 years ago, Iowa safety Micah Hyde was selected in Round 5 by the Green Bay Packers. Although he has ways to go to match the All-Pro Hawkeye, Merriweather appears to sport a similar build to Hyde.

The 6-foot Merriweather, who displays the athleticism desired at the position, earned All-America Second Team (AP) honors in his first season as a full-time starter.

170 JETS (R5) [from GB]: Earl Bostick, OT, Kansas
Because a team can never have too many of them, the Jets grab another offensive tackle late in the fifth round. Their final pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is a three-year starter from the Big 12 Conference.

Bostick earned seven starts at right tackle in 2020 before switching to the left side in 2021. The 2022 Academic All-American tested well at the NFL Combine, recording a 5.05-second 40-yard dash and a 31-inch vertical jump. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was 9.42 out of a possible 10, ranking 76th out of nearly 1300 offensive tackle prospects since 1987.

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