Jets Land Top Offensive Lineman, Defensive End in Way-Too-Early 2022 Mock Draft

The New York Jets pick offensive lineman Charles Cross and defensive end Zach Harrison in this way too early 2022 NFL mock draft from an NFL insider

Max Goodman | May 7, 2021

While we're still breaking down the Jets' 2021 NFL draft class, this NFL insider is already looking ahead to which prospects will be drafted in the first round this time next year.

ESPN's Todd McShay projected the first round of the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday, using an order assigned by his colleague's early 2022 power rankings.

Thanks to the Jamal Adams trade—a deal that sent two first-round picks back to Gang Green—New York has a pair of first-rounders next year. Here are McShay's predictions as to which players general manager Joe Douglas and his team will pick early on:

4. New York Jets

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Let's keep building this Jets offensive line around new quarterback Zach Wilson. Cross, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound redshirt sophomore, started 10 games for the Bulldogs in 2020. With Cross and Mekhi Becton bookending the line -- which now also includes Alijah Vera-Tucker on the inside -- Wilson could have time to create on throws downfield.

This would be the third straight first round for the Jets where New York has taken an offensive lineman (Becton in '20 and Vera-Tucker in '21). Douglas has repeatedly spoken about building through the offensive line and developing through the draft. If Cross is the real deal, imagine three young studs up front, protecting Zach Wilson for years to come.

25. New York Jets (via SEA)

Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State

We got the Jets a lineman earlier in Round 1, so let's now add a big 6-foot-6, 268-pound defensive end with a lot of speed to come off the edge. Only Quinnen Williams -- an interior lineman -- had more than 3.5 sacks for the Jets last season. Harrison had only two in seven games last season, but look for him to get more production in 2021.

How about giving the defensive-minded Robert Saleh another weapon on the defensive line for his second year as head coach of the New York Jets?

Harrison has already played 17 games for Ohio State, racking up 38 tackles (10 for loss) and 5.5 sacks in that span. He can continue to build into a premier presence up front this coming season, lining up alongside Williams and Carl Lawson in green and white.

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Published May 7, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.