Mock Draft Monday: Kiper Sees Two Offensive Tackles Taken Before Jets Pick at No. 13

ESPN draft expert's latest mock sends bookends to Bears, Eagles and Gang Green

When it comes to the NFL Draft, Mel Kiper needs no introduction.

The original draftnik has been neck-deep in prospect rankings since well before every member of the 2023 Draft class was born.

Kiper unveiled his fourth mock draft of the season last week (April 11) and his pick for the New York Jets did not change. As was the case in the third edition of his projections, Kiper paired Gang Green with Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones at No. 13 overall. 

Jones was the third offensive tackle off Kiper's board. The scenario unfolds with the Chicago Bears taking Tennessee's Darnell Wright at No. 9 overall followed by the Philadelphia Eagles making Northwestern's Peter Skoronski the No. 10 pick. 

Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who has been linked to the Jets on multiple occasions in recent weeks, lasted until the No. 19 selection in Kiper's latest mock.

13. New York Jets Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

"... Surely we'll know before the draft begins, right? Jones could play on the right or left side in the NFL -- he was nearly flawless for the Bulldogs last season. When the Bucs added Tom Brady in March 2020, they picked plug-and-play tackle Tristan Wirfs at No. 13 overall the following month, filling a void. That move helped get them a Super Bowl title in Wirfs' rookie season. That's New York's best-case scenario here -- assuming the Rodgers deal gets done with Green Bay."
- Mel Kiper Jr.
(link to full ESPN+ article)

Kiper also published in-depth projections for the entire second round. 

Without knowing what will be needed for compensation in the Aaron Rodgers trade, Kiper has the Jets keeping both of their back-to-back second-round selections.

Kiper's Round 2 Selections: 

42. New York Jets (from Cleveland)
Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Analysis Excerpt: "On paper, the Jets have several potential tight end contributors on their roster, led by Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah and Jeremy Ruckert. I just don't see much upside in the pass game there."

43. New York Jets
Joe Tippman, C, Wisconsin
Analysis Excerpt: "Tippman and John Michael Schmitz (Minnesota) are two starting-caliber centers likely to be drafted in Round 2. The Jets can't go wrong with either one here."

Jets Country Scouting Report:
Broderick Jones, Georgia
Ht: 6053 | Wt: 311 | Hand: 1058 | Arm: 3468 | Wing: 8268 | 40: 4.97

The All-Southeastern Conference First Team selection (AP) manned the left tackle spot for the entire duration of the Georgia Bulldogs’ 15-0 run through the 2022 season.

Jones, who shows good footwork according to scouts, looks fast on game film and ran fast at the NFL Combine. The 6-foot-5 bookend topped all offensive line participants by running the 40 in 4.97s.

The athletic tackle recorded notable measurements along with a solid 30” vertical jump in Indianapolis. His 10.5-inch hands and lengthy 34.5-inch arms make him equipped to effectively handle defenders. The NFL’s @NextGenStats awarded Jones an 85 “athleticism” score for his Combine performance, ranking him second amongst offensive tackle participants.

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