Final NY Jets mock draft delivers polarizing twist at No. 7 overall

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than 24 hours away, and the New York Jets remain one of the biggest wild cards in the top 10. With a number of roster needs and a wide variety of projected targets, the Jets have kept their cards close to the chest.

That mystery has only fueled speculation heading into Thursday night. This final seven-round mock draft isn’t about what should happen — it’s a prediction of what we believe the Jets will do.

From a potentially polarizing first-round pick to a few Day 3 sleepers, this mock reflects the buzz, trends, and clues we’ve picked up as draft week has unfolded. Let's take a look at our final Jets mock draft ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Final NY Jets 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 7: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

With the No. 7 overall pick, the Jets opt for a true curveball by selecting Georgia hybrid linebacker/edge rusher Jalon Walker, one of the most polarizing prospects in this year's draft.

A versatile, do-it-all defender who lined up everywhere from inside linebacker to wide edge rusher in college, Walker brings elite athleticism, intelligence, and a high motor.

He’s been compared by some to Micah Parsons for his hybrid skill set, though his lack of prototypical size (6-foot-1, 243 pounds) makes him a bit of a projection at the next level. This would be an immediate heat check on the part of Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks.

If Walker hits, he has a chance to be one of the best players on a defense featuring Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. The lack of certainty surrounding his NFL projection would make this a risky selection, though. Jets fans should prepare themselves for a potential defensive player at this spot.

Round 2, Pick 42: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

The Jets address a glaring need in the trenches in the second round by selecting Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. A two-year starter at left tackle for the Ducks, Conerly is a nimble, technically sound blocker with the footwork and athleticism to excel in pass protection at the next level.

The Jets would likely need to flip him to right tackle in the pros, as he only played left tackle at Oregon, but you aren't going to find a better value selection at the offensive tackle position on Day 2.

The Jets signed veteran Chukwuma Okorafor this offseason, but he shouldn’t be viewed as a long-term or even short-term starting solution. Conerly, on the other hand, is a potential Day 1 starter with legitimate first-round buzz. If he’s still on the board at 42, the Jets likely wouldn’t hesitate.

Round 3, Pick 73: Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas

With their third-round pick, the Jets turn their attention to one of their most pressing needs by selecting Texas tight end Gunnar Helm. Helm isn’t the flashiest name in this year’s class, but he’s a well-rounded, reliable prospect who offers intriguing upside as both a pass catcher and a blocker

The Jets added Stone Smartt in free agency and return Jeremy Ruckert, but neither player projects as a starting-caliber option — both are likely fringe TE2s at best.

Helm gives the Jets a high-floor developmental option who could grow into a Tyler Conklin-style receiving threat with even better blocking upside.

Round 4, Pick 110: Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon

With their fourth-round pick, the Jets return to the Oregon trenches by selecting former Ducks defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive lineman isn’t going to generate consistent pressure on passing downs, but that’s not why he’s being drafted.

Caldwell is a pure run-stuffer — a traditional 1-tech/nose tackle who eats up space and swallows ball carriers. And that just so happens to be exactly what the Jets need.

The team signed veteran Derrick Nnadi in free agency to help fill that role, but he was a part-time player in Kansas City last year and shouldn’t be relied on for more than a rotational workload.

Caldwell, on the other hand, has the tools to step in and potentially start from day one alongside Quinnen Williams. He brings elite power at the point of attack, the ability to anchor in short-yardage situations, and could become a core piece of the Jets’ early-down defense.

Round 5, Pick 145: R.J. Mickens, SAF, Clemson

With their first of two fifth-round picks, the Jets keep it in the family by selecting Clemson safety R.J. Mickens, the son of former Jets cornerback Ray Mickens, who was, of course, once a teammate of Aaron Glenn in New York.

The younger Mickens is one of the most experienced and intelligent defensive backs in this year’s class, having appeared in 60 career games for Clemson and serving as a key piece of their secondary over multiple seasons.

Mickens is known for his high football IQ, positional versatility, and leadership on and off the field. He has experience playing deep safety, nickel corner, and even some box reps, giving the Jets a valuable chess piece in their secondary.

He’s also a proven special teams contributor, making him an ideal addition to Chris Banjo's unit. Mickens could compete with Tony Adams for rotational safety reps, but his floor as a potential special teams ace makes this a strong value pick in Round 5.

Round 5, Pick 162: Alijah Huzzie, CB, North Carolina

Cornerback may not jump out as a pressing need for the Jets, but Alijah Huzzie is the type of late-round target who fits perfectly into what Aaron Glenn wants from his defensive backs.

Undersized but ultra-competitive, Huzzie plays with the kind of edge and toughness that often wins over coaches. He projects best as a nickel corner at the next level, and while the Jets already have Michael Carter II locked in at that spot, they don’t currently have a true backup behind him.

That’s where Huzzie could step in. He’s a future depth option with the potential to develop into a low-cost replacement for Carter down the line, a potentially smart move for a team that’s already invested heavily in the cornerback position.

On top of that, Huzzie adds value on special teams, with a punt return touchdown in each of the last two seasons. That kind of versatility could help him stick on the roster early while he learns behind one of the league’s better nickel defenders.

Round 6, Pick 186: Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State

The Jets finally dip into the wide receiver pool with their sixth-round pick, and while it may come later than many fans hoped, they land one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class: Nick Nash.

A former college quarterback turned wide receiver, Nash has only been playing the position for a few years, but his growth has been undeniable. After spending a staggering seven years at San Jose State, Nash made the most of his final season, exploding for 84 catches, 1,382 yards, and 16 touchdowns en route to Consensus All-American honors.

He’ll turn 26 before the start of the regular season, which is a major reason he’s still available this late. But in terms of production and traits, Nash is the kind of player who would be in Day 2 consideration if he were just a few years younger.

He projects best as a big slot at the next level, with a physical play style and strong hands reminiscent of former Jets wideout Quincy Enunwa, albeit with less YAC ability. He’s a fascinating developmental option with legitimate upside, even at an advanced age.

Round 6, Pick 207: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona

With their final pick in this mock draft, the Jets take advantage of a loaded running back class by selecting Arizona's Jacory Croskey-Merritt. While running back isn’t a major need, the value here is too good to pass up.

Croskey-Merritt broke out in 2023 with a monster season at New Mexico, rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. He transferred to Arizona for what he believed would be his final collegiate season, but after just one game, the NCAA ruled him ineligible due to a dispute over his eligibility status.

That ruling sidelined him for the remainder of 2024, robbing scouts and evaluators of another year of tape. Still, if Croskey-Merritt had played a full season at Arizona, it’s not far-fetched to believe he could’ve been a Day 2 pick.

Top-30 visits are often more telling when it comes to Day 3 targets. The Jets using one of those visits on Croskey-Merritt is a strong signal that he’s firmly on their radar as a potential late-round addition.