Brace yourself folks: this is the Draft that turns the New York Jets around.

Honestly, you couldn’t fantasize about a better draft for the New York Jets. It’s hard to not feel absolutely ecstatic about what happened this last weekend in April. It was certainly comprised of very uncharacteristic decisions that Jets fans aren’t used to.

Joe Douglas used his first draft to show his business savvy, trading back for additional value to fill a roster. That was in 2021. In 2022, it was the complete opposite: allocating resources to move up and grab greater talent. The team was already primed to be in a great position value-wise, and somehow, personnel turned it into a greater opportunity than any fan could imagine. If you were on social media at all, especially on Thursday, Jets fans were electric. Let’s look at why.

Jets Lockdown Pick 4

Thursday night was magical, not only for the players hearing their names called, but the teams and fan bases. Going into the start of the Draft, Joe Douglas had been so good at keeping things under wraps, no one truly knew what the team was going to do. The Jaguars and Lions had essentially broadcast their moves, all dependent on each other.

But at pick number four, the Jets spent it on Cincinatti’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, who I had graded as the best cornerback in the Draft. The 6-foot-3 lockdown corner maybe wasn’t the biggest need for Gang Green, but he was the best player on the board. So, when you have talent like that, you pull the trigger. Gardner will join free agent signing DJ Reed Jr. The team will go into the summer with a very deep cornerback room, and two brand new starters.

Gardner’s ability to dominate in man coverage will not go unnoticed in Robert Saleh’s defense. And for those concerned about strength of schedule: Gardner dominated against Alabama. Run the tape back if you don’t believe me. He’s a certified lockdown corner.

Fly High with Pick 10

It was hard for Jets fans to anticipate how the team would solidify the wide receiving room. There’s a Pro Bowler emerging in Elijah Moore. They brought back Braxton Berrios, and Corey Davis is…still under contract.

Trade attempts for then-Kansas City Chiefs Tyreek Hill were stolen by the Miami Dolphins. The Jets made calls on Seattle’s DK Metcalf, and former Titan AJ Brown. The Jets also called the 49ers offering pick ten, and a fourth rounder for star Deebo Samuel and a second (which is admittedly not a fair deal at all).

So, when Garrett Wilson, the best wide receiver in the Draft was still available at 10, New York finalized the wide receiving room. Wilson can play anywhere on the field and run almost any route. He’s the most solid receiver available. Joe Douglas is doing for Zach Wilson what Mike Maccagnan could never do for Sam Darnold: build around him. He has an upgraded offensive line and is now surrounded by playmakers.

Joe Douglas Trades Back into Round 1

Just when I was getting ready for bed, Joe Douglas traded back into the first round. While there was some expectation the first two picks would go towards a pass rusher, that dream went unfulfilled. That is, until New York traded back in at 26 overall for Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II. The third EDGE defender on the board fell late in the first round for reasons no one can really identify.

Regardless, the Jets got the EDGE they were looking for. The joy in this productive round 1 is that all three selections were thought to be players the Jets might all draft and fourth overall. That’s 3 top 5 picks within the course of one night. 

A Trade Up In Round 2?

The Jets gave up their earliest second-round pick in the Jermaine Johnson move. But they still traded up, and selected Breece Hall at 36th overall. Not only were people not expecting the Jets to trade up again, but it also wouldn’t have been for a running back. I believe this was another case of Ahmad Garnder: Hall was the best running back in this draft class, and the Jets made him the first one off the board.

While Tyler Johnson, Tevin Coleman, and others were certainly serviceable, the Jets have now assembled an absolutely brutal 1-2 running back room. Paired with Michael Carter, Hall and he can take any given run to the house with elite quickness, and frequently don’t go down after first contact.

With the new offensive line, there’s significant weight of Zach Wilson’s shoulders when the team can quite literally run the ball down any team’s throat.

Tight End Room Solidified in Round 3

Jeremy Ruckert grew up a die-hard New York Jets fan from Long Island. Now he is one. An absolute menace to society as a blocker, Ruckert will enter a tight end room that was filled with free agent acquisitions CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin. This position group is now elite.

Kenny Yeboah will dance between the practice and active roster. Trevon Wesco may stay in his utility fullback role, but at this point: everyone else can go. Sorry…it’s just business. We’re moving up in the world.

Offensive Line Depth in Round 4

Max Mitchell isn’t a name to turn heads. But the 3-year starter at Louisiana can certainly usurp Chuma Edoga as the swing tackle. Besides, the team always seems to have injuries on the offensive line. Mitchell is an insurance piece, and a better backup than who else the Jets roster.

This pick is a prime example of the value in late rounds: he probably won’t start, but he’s a quality depth piece.

Strange Final Selection?

With their final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Joe Douglas selected Texas A&M’s Michael Clemons. Clemons’ isn’t exactly a Joe Douglas kind of player. For starters, he turns 25 soon. He also has two arrests on his records. This isn’t the young, classy ballers the team likes to target.

But Clemons is nasty and tough. He will be added as a rotational EDGE defender. Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh both share a fundamental belief in throwing fresh legs at the offensive line throughout the game. He won’t win Defensive Rookie of the Year. But Clemons will be a rested body when the team needs new rushers.

What Does The Future Hold?

New York knocked this draft out of the park. And while it would have been nice to see a pick go towards safety or linebacker, there will be opportunities to flesh out the roster. Someone needs to play opposite Jordan Whitehead. Will it be Ashtyn Davis or Jason Pinnock? Who will lineup with Quincy Williams and CJ Mosely? Kwon Alexander was on a visit, perhaps he gets signed.

On a serious note, a draft this good, and a free agency period as good as it was shifts attention now. The Jets can no longer be a four win team. Joe Douglas has had time to build and upgrade a roster in his vision. Robert Saleh has his first year of coaching under his belt. Zach Wilson isn’t a rookie anymore. This team doesn’t need to be AFC Championship bound.

But if 2023 comes, and they’re picking in the top 10 again, someone will no longer be employed. The time is now to start winning football games.

DJ Reed said it himself on Twitter:

“On the 9ers we went 4-12 my rookie year, next year we went to the Super Bowl. It isn’t far fetched.” -DJ Reed Jr. via Twitter, 4/27/2022

I’m not saying Super Bowl or bust. I’m not even saying playoffs or bust. But things are looking up, and it’s time to reasonably start raising expectations.

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