5 players the New York Jets will target in the 2023 NFL Draft

The New York Jets just acquired their franchise QB by trading with the Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers. After months and months of negotiations, both teams were able to reach a middle ground on a deal that sent Rodgers to New York just days ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Jets general manager Joe Douglas nailed last year’s draft. He went into the 2022 draft with 2 first-round picks and ended up drafting 3 premium players in the first round. In fact, 2 of the 3 first-round Jets picks, CB Sauce Gardner and WR Garrett Wilson went on to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year awards respectively.

Douglas has been quite good at drafting players and he will look to continue his good form as the NY Jets enter the 2023 NFL Draft with very specific needs. The Jets will enter the 2023 Draft with 5 total picks, they might add or lose some more during Draft Day to acquire their targeted players. In this article, we’ll take a look at 5 players the Jets should target in the much-awaited NFL Draft.

Related: 5 players the Green Bay Packers will target in the 2023 NFL Draft

5. Jordan Battle (S, Alabama)

The NY Jets need some reinforcements at the defensive back position and the Alabama safety Jordan Battle would be a great addition to Robert Saleh’s roster. Battle excels in both zone and man coverage. He plays physically and is a good open-field tackler despite his thin frame.

Battle spent 4-years in Alabama playing for the renowned head coach Nick Saban. During his time in Bama, Battle registered 252 total tackles, 6 interceptions, and 1 sack. The 6’1″ safety is projected to be a day 2 or day 3 Draft pick and the Jets could actually trade down to add some more draft picks and still draft the Alabama defensive back.

4. Jack Campbell (LB, Iowa)

The Jets’ star linebacker Kwon Alexander still remains unsigned. But even if he re-signs with the New York-based football team, they would still need some help in the linebacker position and the Iowa Hawkeyes defender Jack Campbell could solve that problem for the Jets.

the 6’5″ 243-pound Iowa defender is arguably the best linebacker in the draft. Campbell tried to play TE for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2020 but returned to his natural position the same year. During his time at Iowa, Campbell dressed up for 34 games and registered 299 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 interceptions.

The Iowa product Jack Campbell is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and the Jets are sitting in a perfect position to scoop him up with their 43rd overall pick.

3. Quentin Johnston (WR, TCU)

The Jets do have a good receiving core. They have versatility (Garrett Wilson), deep threat (Mecole Hardman), and good blockers (Corey Davis, Allen Lazard) but they could still use someone that will win contested catches and the TCU wideout Quentin Johnston is one of the best at it.

Quentin Johnston has every tool to become a dominant wide receiver in the league and he could benefit from catching passes from the future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers.

The 6’4″ wide receiver gained everyone’s attention with his impressive 2022 outing when he registered 1069 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns in 14 games. The talented wideout is projected to be a late first-round draft pick and the Jets could either trade down from 15 or trade up from 43 to acquire Johnston.

2. Calijah Kancey (DL, Pittsburgh)

The Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey could address the dire need of the Jets at the defensive line position. The six-foot defensive lineman is drawing Aaron Donald comparison and would certainly be a massive asset for Robert Saleh’s defense.

Calijah Kancey was a star in Pittsburgh as he registered 16 sacks and 91 total tackles as a defensive lineman during his 3-year stint with them. He is projected to be a mid-to-late first-round pick and the Jets should not pass on the chance to draft him.

1. Broderick Jones (OT, Georgia)

All those other needs can wait, the New York Jets No.1 priority in the 2023 NFL Draft would be the offensive line. The O-line for the Jets has been abysmal for years. They repeatedly tried to address it and actually found some success at it but still, they need to strengthen their offensive line to protect their 39-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

And there’s no better way to do it than plugging in young first-round talent to their O-line. There are many options they could explore with their first-round pick but the Georgia Bulldogs tackle Broderick Jones would be a good fit for the Jets.

The 6’4″ 315-pound offensive lineman is projected to be a mid-first-round selection and Joe Douglas could draft him with their 15th overall pick. If no tackles were drafted or just one tackle was drafted at that stage, the Jets could even trade down to add more draft capital and still add a solid offensive lineman.

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