NY Jets: 3 offensive linemen to target with pick No. 23

If the NY Jets are going to select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, they’re going to need someone to protect him. As such, it makes sense to target an offensive lineman at No. 23.

With the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jets selected offensive tackle Mekhi Becton — and it’s already one of the best selections they’ve made in years.

Standing tall at 6-foot-7, 365 pounds, the Louisville alumn is a beast on the line and looks well on his way to become a perennial Pro Bowler. Obviously that high praise for a player who’s only been in the league for one season, but it’s clear that he’s special.

The Jets may have gone 2-14 and struggled offensively, but Becton wasn’t the reason for that. In fact, if the team designs more runs and protection around him, they’ll be a much-improved rushing and passing team next season.

Although the team has their left tackle position secured for the next decade with Becton, they need to build around him. Pro Football Focus ranked the Jets’ offensive line 28th in the NFL at the end of the season.

And it’s not hard to see why.

The line struggled, as they allowed a ton of pressure on dropbacks and also did a terrible job with their run blocking. In order for Zach Wilson, or whoever the team drafts second overall, to be successful, the Jets need to protect him and that obviously starts with the offensive line.

The edge rush and cornerback position are two other needs for the Jets during this year’s draft, but they should focus on the offensive line.

Even though the Kansas City Chiefs had the best quarterback (Patrick Mahomes) in the NFL, they struggled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl because they had offensive line issues, so it’s clearly the most important position group on the field.

Here are three players the Jets should target with the No. 23 overall pick.

Next: 1. Alijah Vera-Tucker