Jets 2019 NFL draft preview: Interior Offensive Line

In this series, we’ll preview every position group as it relates to the 2019 NFL draft and the New York Jets. Next, let’s take a look at the Jets’ interior offensive line situation, and how it could be impacted by this year’s draft.

We’ve already discussed how the Jets need to upgrade at least one of their tackle spots in this year’s draft, but things aren’t looking much better along the interior, either.

Sam Darnold has all the makings of a franchise quarterback, and the Jets added arguably the best running back in the NFL when they signed Le’Veon Bell this offseason. That said, neither player will be able to hit his lofty ceiling without huge improvements across the board up front.

The Jets did make one key move to improve this unit earlier in the offseason, acquiring guard Kelechi Osemele via trade from the Oakland Raiders. His presence will definitely give the Jets a veteran anchor to build around, but upgrades are still needed at center and the other guard spot.

Without a second-round pick in this year’s draft (thanks to the trade-up for Darnold last year), the Jets will have to target an interior blocker with one of their two third-rounders, unless they made a big move down the board in the first round from their current spot at No. 3 overall.

Assuming the Jets stay put at No. 3 and go elsewhere with that pick, here are some prospects they could target in the third round:

Ben Powers | Oklahoma

Beau Benzschawel | Wisconsin

Ross Pierschbacher | Alabama

Nate Davis | Charlotte

Lamont Gaillard | Georgia