5 Options For the New York Jets to Target in the 2022 NFL Draft

5 Options For the New York Jets to Target in the 2022 NFL Draft

Alright Jets fans, this one is for you. As the undisputed offseason champions for 11 years running, the offseason is the best time of the year. With two picks inside the top-10, Joe Douglas will be very busy during the NFL Draft, in his attempt to rebuild this roster and help his young quarterback.

Today, I'll be looking at five options for the New York Jets at the fourth overall pick. Now, I don't agree with all five options for the Jets here, we'll talk through it, but these are five guys that I see consistently mocked to them with the fourth overall pick.

In this exercise, I'm excluding Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux because they will likely be off the board by pick four but if by some miracle they aren't, just know that they immediately skyrocket to the top of the list.

Here are five options for the New York Jets could target with pick four:

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New York Jets Draft Targets

Evan Neal - OL (Alabama) | First Overall Pick Odds (Click Here to Bet at +290)

When you have a young quarterback, the best thing you can do is make life as easy as possible for them. The Jets have struggled with that in the past but adding a versatile piece like Evan Neal could be perfect for this team. He has played both tackle and guard at the collegiate level, and at a high level, at the best program in the country.

A pick of Evan Neal would give insurance for Mekhi Becton, who missed the entirety of the season due to injury. If Mekhi doesn't work out long-term then here is your LT of the future. If he does, well, then Neal can start at Guard this year and then kick out to tackle when George Fant's contract expires after the season.

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Kyle Hamilton - S (Notre Dame) | First Overall Pick Odds (Click Here to Bet at +10000)

Okay, here's one that I wouldn't be a fan of. Personally, I don't care for the positional value of taking a safety in the top five when you can attack it in free agency and later in the draft but that's just me. While I don't want the Jets to draft Hamilton, there is no denying his obvious talent.

Kyle Hamilton does a little bit of everything. He can cover, he can come up and make plays in the run game, and he's six-foot-four and 220 pounds. He's a freak of nature, and some project him to be the best player in this draft class.

Derek Stingley - CB (LSU) | First Overall Pick Odds (Click Here to Bet at +8000)

The second, and final one that I don't see happening but is often mocked, is Derek Stingley. Jeff Ulbrich, Robert Saleh, and Joe Douglas have made it abundantly clear that they are comfortable with day three picks here at this position. They got a ton out of their young corner core last year and this unit likely needs a veteran addition over an injured college player with question marks.

His speed is incredible and he's very good in the run game but that question mark of the injuries is a big red flag. The talent is no question there, it's just a matter of if the Jets want to take a chance on him, which I don't see but others do.

George Karlaftis - Edge (Purdue)

George Karlaftis is a controversial one. People either love him or hate him but I must admit, even at pick four, I would be a major fan of George Karlaftis. He's a power rusher, which I think would complement Carl Lawson well, and his motor is incredibly underrated.

Many will point to the drop-off from Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux to George Karlaftis and while I agree that he is not at the same level as those two guys, Robert Saleh still has a preference for defensive linemen. This defense is built off getting pressure to the quarterback, and I think they would rather take the third edge on their board over their number one safety or number one corner just based off how the third edge likely would have a bigger impact on this defense than the number one player at the lesser position.

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Ikem Ekwonu - OL (NC State) | First Overall Pick Odds (Click Here to Bet at +500)

Similar to Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu can fill a hole at either offensive tackle or guard in the NFL. If the Jets were to draft Ekwonu and put him inside, the line could potentially be Becton - Vera-Tucker - McGovern - Ekwonu - Fant. That would be a massive improvement over what the Jets have trotted out the last few years.

Joe Douglas knows his job is tied to the success of Zach Wilson. If the kid plays well and the Jets start winning games, he'll stick. If the Jets find out that they'll need to move on, like they did with Sam Darnold, well then Douglas is out of a job.