Jets Country 2023 Complete Draft Report Card

Reviewing Joe Douglas and Co.'s performance over the seven-round NFL Draft

The New York Jets addressed their most-glaring need prior to the 2023 National Football League Draft by completing a trade for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Gang Green formally introduced the four-time NFL MVP the day before the Draft kicked off in Kansas City. 

Following the smiles, the hugs and the photo ops on Wednesday in Florham Park, general manager Joe Douglas and Co. went right back to work on Thursday for Round 1.

In the aftermath of the trade deal for Rodgers, which required the Jets to slide back two spots in the first round, Douglas entered the draft with five selections at his disposal. Gang Green netted two draft choices through two Day 3 trades involving the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders.

When it was all said and done, the Jets added seven rookies over the three-day, seven-round draft. 

Although they made some appealing choices, Gang Green left a handful of needs unaddressed. The Jets failed to get defensive tackle insurance at rookie contract value and they didn't draft a roster replacement at free safety for the unsigned Lamarcus Joyner.

Having dropped back to No. 15 overall in Round 1 as a result of the trade for Rodgers, Douglas missed out on a top-tier offensive tackle as four bookends went off the board amongst the first 14 selections. The Patriots dealt the No. 14 choice to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Draft Night and the Black & Yellow snagged Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones right before the Jets hit the clock.

Douglas said they were happy to draft Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald at No. 15 overall, but critics says the Jets reached for the 24-year old at that point in the first round. 

I provide a quick analysis of all seven picks below, but right here, it's time to supply my overall Jets' draft grade for 2023.

Please keep in mind that projecting a player's NFL career is as difficult an exercise as there is. Remember that the next time you see a GM or scout on the unemployment line. 

Furthermore, I'm a tough critic who is taking the future of the franchise and its ability to compete long term into consideration. 

The end result is a C+, which isn't so bad considering the old saying that "Cs get degrees."

2023 Jets Country Draft Grades (Pick-by-Pick)

OVERALL TEAM GRADE: C+

EDGE Will McDonald, Iowa State (Round 1, No. 15 overall)

Zach Boyden-Holmes / USA TODAY Network

GRADE: C+

McDonald was slightly over-drafted compared to where he resided in a multitude of prospect rankings, but he has factors working in his favor. The 6-foot-3 has a resume of production and above-average speed.

The 24-year old McDonald forced 10 fumbles and logged 42.0 TFL in 54 career appearances for Iowa State. He tied the Big 12 Conference careers sacks (34.0) record. The All-American, who was the No. 4-ranked defensive end on the 2023 NFL Draft Bible Big Board, will need to add some bulk to effectively battle pro o-linemen.

MORE on the McDonald selection

C Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin (Round 2, No. 43 overall)

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

GRADE: B+

Tippmann has appealing size and bring power to the center position. The 6-foot-6 former high school tackle possesses versatility to play guard if the Jets need it. He has performed well against high-level competition in the Big Ten Conference.

Last fall, Tippmann accounted for Wisconsin's best run blocking grade (78.0) in Pro Football Focus assessments. Meanwhile, logging 338 pass blocking snaps, he was charged with only one sack and five pressures.

MORE on the Tippmann selection

OT Carter Warren, Pittsburgh (Round 4, No. 120 overall)

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

GRADE: B

The Jets addressed needed depth at offensive tackle, putting a fourth-round pick to good use. Warren, a former New Jersey high school star, had a phenomenal 2021 campaign that excited talent evaluators and resulted in All-Atlantic Coast Second Team honors. Pitt's 6-foot-5 tackle ended his 2022 season early with injury concerns and needs to improve as a run blocker.

MORE on the Warren selection

RB Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh (Round 5, No. 143 overall)

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

GRADE: A 

New-age wisdom says you don't spend an early-round selection on a running back and when you can get someone of Abanikanda's quality in Round 5, you get an A mark for your effort. The 5-foot-10 ball carrier, who missed 1.5 games due to injury, hit the 100-yard rushing mark in nine of 11 appearances last fall. The 21-year old Abanikanda, a Bed-Stuy Brooklyn native, enjoyed a remarkable 2022 campaign that ended with All-America honors from four different organizations. Winning the Atlantic Coast Conference rushing title, Abanikanda ran for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns.

MORE on the Abanikanda selection

LB Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan (Round 6, No. 184 overall)

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

GRADE: C

The Jets had room for youth at linebacker, and they must have really liked Barnes to take him at No. 184 overall. NFL Draft Bible had a "Priority Free Agent" grade on the Western Michigan product. Barnes moves extremely well, but the two All-MAC selection lacks NFL physicality. It'll be interesting to see how he handles the jump up in competition.

MORE on the Barnes selection

CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, LSU (Round 6, No. 204 overall)

SCOTT CLAUSE / USA TODAY Network

GRADE: B-

Bernard-Converse went against some of the top receiving corps in college, playing four years for Oklahoma State before transferring to LSU. The physical safety-turned-cornerback has good 4.40 (40-yard dash) speed and can come up to defend the run. He was projected as a late Day 3 pick/PFA. If the Jets were looking for a true free safety in this spot, there were options available.

MORE on the Bernard-Converse selection

TE Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion (Round 7, No. 220 overall)

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

GRADE: B+ 

The Jets didn't necessarily need a tight end, but maybe they're looking for someone to push 2022 draft pick Jeremy Ruckert. Regardless, Gang Green got a good seventh-round value in Kuntz. They took a chance on a physical freak, who shows promise as a developmental tight end. 

Kuntz posted a perfect Relative Athletic Score (RAS), ranking first overall amongst 1,105 tight ends who were graded in between 1987 and 2023.

MORE on the Kuntz selection

READ MORE:

Sports Illustrated Grades Jets' 2023 Draft Below Median

DRAFT: Jets Bolster Defensive Pass Rush in Round 1

DRAFT: Gang Green Goes with 'Big Joe' Tippmann in Round 2

DRAFT: Jets Keep Building the Trenches with Round 4 Choice

DRAFT: Joe Douglas Keeps Running Back Streak Intact with Round 5 Pick

DRAFT: Back to Defense, Jets Select Zaire Barnes in Round 6

DRAFT: Jets Add Defensive Back with Second Round 6 Selection

DRAFT: Gang Green Lands Physical Unicorn in Round 7