ESPN’s draft predictor reveals a surprising NY Jets favorite at No. 7

The New York Jets have been connected to a wide range of prospects in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft later this month. With a new general manager, a new head coach, and a roster still in flux, the team’s plans at No. 7 overall remain one of the biggest mysteries around the NFL.

Some mock drafts have the Jets targeting offensive line reinforcements, most notably Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou, who has become a consensus favorite among analysts.

Others have suggested pass catchers like Penn State tight end Tyler Warren or Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, both of whom fill clear roster needs. The bottom line: this team can go in a number of directions, and no one on the outside truly knows what to expect.

That unpredictability is reflected in ESPN’s latest draft predictor, which compiles data from expert mocks, scouts' evaluations, and team needs to project the likelihood of each player being selected at each pick. While Membou sits at the top of the board for the Jets, the second-most likely projection might raise a few eyebrows.

According to the model, an unexpected name — one rarely mocked to the Jets — trails only Membou in probability to be the team’s selection at No. 7. That player is Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker.

Jalon Walker emerging as near-favorite NY Jets draft target

ESPN’s model includes a few surprising twists. Warren and McMillan — both frequent Jets picks in expert mock drafts — rank sixth and seventh, respectively, with seemingly low odds of being selected at No. 7.

Ahead of them is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 5, LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell at No. 4, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 3, and Walker at No. 2 behind only Membou.

Walker's placement as high as second is perhaps the most shocking. The 21-year-old won the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker, in 2024 following a standout junior season that saw him earn first-team All-American honors.

He lined up all over the field at Georgia, operating as a versatile defender who could drop back into coverage or rush off the edge depending on the situation. His unique blend of athleticism and range made him a true chess piece in one of college football’s most talented defenses.

While Walker may not fit cleanly into one positional box, his ability to disrupt from multiple alignments is a big part of what makes him such an intriguing prospect at the next level. It's just a difficult sell to insist the Jets should take him with the No. 7 overall pick.

Walker projects as a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher at the next level, essentially in the mold of players like Zack Baun or, yes, even Haason Reddick. He’d be an odd fit on a Jets roster that already features Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams at linebacker, along with a comparable speed rusher in Will McDonald.

How much stock should Jets fans put into ESPN’s draft predictor? Honestly, not much. It’s hard to envision the Jets seriously targeting a player like Walker or even Sanders in the first round. Any model that gives those prospects better odds than someone like Warren is tough to take too seriously.

While the ESPN model offers an interesting glimpse into how the draft might unfold, it’s far from a crystal ball. At the end of the day, the Jets’ plans at No. 7 remain as unpredictable as ever. Walker is just one of the many names in the mix.

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