New York Jets Draft Profile: Garret Greenfield, Swing Tackle?

The New York Jets may be wise to monitor the mid-to-late rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft to help bolster their depth along the offensive line.

South Dakota State’s Garret Greenfield yells in celebration with friends. / Erin Woodiel / Argus Leader / USA TODAY

As they continue to rebuild their struggling offensive line from last season, the New York Jets will undoubtedly look to the upcoming NFL Draft to add depth to what promises to be a formidable starting five.

Though Gang Green has been quite active in free agency, they may find capable depth options on Day 3 — especially at tackle. Accordingly, one prospect which may catch New York’s attention is South Dakota State (SDSU) tackle Garret Greenfield. 

Greenfield is a versatile tackle who has manned both the right and  left side of South Dakota State’s line since joining the program in 2018. He shifted to left tackle in 2022 and started all 15 games while being named a first-team All-American while helping SDSU win their first FCS national championship. He returned for a final season in 2023 and won another national championship while starting all 15 games, receiving another All-American selection.

Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Dakota State offensive lineman Garret Greenfield. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-6, 311 pounds, Greenfield possesses a formidable blend of both size and power while protecting the edges. However, his agility and athleticism allow him to make blocks in space. At this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Greenfield posted an eye-opening 38.5 inches in the vertical jump. His raw skill set should place him in the mix to compete for a swing spot on the Jets roster. 

Despite the team’s struggles at quarterback, a large portion of the blame for the Jets' anemic output in 2023 can be attributed to the porous nature of their offensive line. The Jets are clearly prioritizing the upgrade of their offensive line, as evidenced by trading for veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and signing former Dallas Cowboys legend Tyron Smith and ex-Baltimore Ravens guard John Simpson. New York's line struggled mightily last season, suiting up a total of fourteen different linemen and having utilized eleven offensive line combinations.

Ranking in the lower third of the NFL in nearly every measurable metric — including No. 30 overall by Pro Football Network — it should come as no surprise that New York may be eager to invest prime draft capital to repair a severely fractured unit.