NY Jets: 5 positions the team could target with the 23rd pick

4. NY Jets could address outside linebacker

Off-ball linebacker may not be as pressing of a need as the previous positions, but it is still one that must be addressed.

Douglas added Jarrad Davis, who struggled in Detroit but has had previous success in a scheme more similar to the one that will be run in New York.

In addition to Davis, the Jets have C.J. Mosley who was an elite 3-4 linebacker in Baltimore but has not played much football over the past two seasons.

There’s no guarantee that Mosley will pick up where he left off in Baltimore. He battled a tough groin injury in 2019, opted out in 2020, and now must play in a brand-new scheme and formation.

There are not a ton of great options at linebacker in this year’s draft, but one standout is Tulsa’s Zaven Collins.

Collins brings great size and athleticism to the position. He is one of the most versatile players in the entire draft, as he can cover and stop the run well, as well as put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer.

Standing at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Collins recorded four sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 54 tackles in just eight games this past season.

Collins is a playmaker through and through and could captain the defense much as Fred Warner did for Robert Saleh in San Francisco.

While Davis and Mosley have the potential to be impactful linebackers this season, there is a lot working against them. With how significant the linebacker position is in Saleh’s defense, adding Zaven Collins could pay off in spades for Gang Green.