Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame Identifies Jets' Draft Needs

Gang Green could use its six selections to fill voids at certain positions

Salary cap contraints make it near impossible for National Football League franchises to meet their personnel needs strictly through free agency.

The New York Jets are no exception and will likely turn to the 2023 NFL Draft to fill the positional holes that exist on their current roster.

In his “Biggest Needs for All 32 Teams” article on April 4, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame identified the Jets’ three most-noticeable needs as tight end, offensive tackle and safety.

The SI scribe hinted at the idea of Gang Green selecting a bookend at No. 13 overall.

“This is a critical next few months for Jets GM Joe Douglas. Going into his fourth full offseason with Gang Green, Douglas has to eventually secure Aaron Rodgers from the Packers and then start thinking about how to build the offense around him.

The Jets have star receiver Garrett Wilson and signed Rodgers’s former teammate Allen Lazard in free agency. But the offensive line is a concern, especially at right tackle, where Mekhi Becton has struggled to stay healthy. If New York can shore up the front and land Rodgers, this offseason could vault the Jets into contender status.” - Matt Verderame (Read full story here)

There is a glaring long-term uncertainty surrounding the Jets’ top offensive tackles. Duane Brown is coming off surgery and will be 38 years old by the time the season starts. Becton, as Verderame noted, missed the entire 2022 campaign due to a preseason injury.

As for safety, the Jets appear uninterested in re-signing free agent veteran Lamarcus Joyner. Gang Green currently has only one true free safety under contract in the form of 2022 undrafted rookie Tony Adams, who filled in when Joyner missed time last fall.

When it comes to tight end, Tyler Conklin established himself as a productive target in the passing game. Finishing second to only Garrett Wilson amongst team receiving leaders, the 6-foot-3 Conklin made 58 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns.

TE Tyler Conklin was targeted 87 times as a receiver in 2022 / Appleton Post-Crescent-USA TODAY NETWORK

Meanwhile, CJ Uzomah did not play up to the three-year, $24 million contract he signed during the 2022 offseason, so there is room to upgrade at tight end, especially with an emerging player on a salary-cap friendly rookie contract.

Gang Green currently holds six selections, including three top-50 picks, in the 2023 NFL Draft, which will unfold from April 27-29 in Kansas City.

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