Jets Trade Up, Secure Top Tackle in Sports Illustrated's Latest Mock Draft

Ohio State bookend gives Gang Green a dependable blocker with versatility

The New York Jets landed a premier offensive tackle prospect, but traded up to do so in Sports Illustrated's 2023 NFL Mock Draft 7.0. 

Widely speculated that Gang Green intends to use its first-round (No. 13 overall) selection on an offensive line reinforcement, SI writer Kevin Hanson suggested a trade to ensure the Jets get their preferred player. 

In the scenario laid out by Hanson, New York shipped the No. 13 overall pick along with a second-round pick (No. 43 overall) to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the No. 8 selection along with a fourth-rounder (No. 110 overall). 

Moving up to eighth in the first-round draft order, the Jets took the first offensive lineman off the board by selecting Ohio State bookend Paris Johnson, Jr. 

13. New York Jets (via Falcons): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Projected trade: Jets send picks No. 13 and No. 43 to the Falcons for No. 8 and No. 110.

Mekhi Becton is down to about 350 pounds, but he has missed 33 consecutive games, and there’s a good chance the Jets won’t pick up his fifth-year option. Johnson is ideally suited to play left tackle given his combination of size, length and athleticism, but he has started at both right guard (2021) and left tackle (’22) for Ohio State. Assuming the 13th pick is not needed in the expected trade for Aaron Rodgers, the Jets could use it to move up for a player who would hopefully be on the team much longer. - SI's Kevin Hanson

Johnson is one of three tackles who have been frequently mock drafted to Gang Green. Northwestern's Peter Skoronksi and Georgia's Broderick Jones also project to be top-20 picks.

The 6-foot-6 Johnson, a consensus five-star prospect out of high school, played the 2021 season as Ohio State's starting right guard before moving to left tackle for the 2022 campaign. The All-Big Team First Team performer closed his Buckeyes' career by making 26 straight starts for a program that is routinely stacked with NFL-caliber talent. 

Ohio State LT Paris Johnson Jr. during his NFL Combine workout / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson features an appealing combination of length and strength. The "plug-and-play" prospect, who logged 29 reps on the 225-pound bench press, measured 36-inch arms and an 85-inch wingspan at the NFL Combine.

The Jets also landed Johnson in NFL Draft Bible founder Ric Serritella's latest two-round mock, but were able to do so at No. 13 overall.

The 2023 NFL Draft kicks off on April 27 in Kansas City with Round 1 selections. Rounds 2 and 3 are set for April 28 followed by Rounds 4-7 on April 29. Gang Green currently holds six picks, including three of the top-43.

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