14 prospects who NY Jets fans should watch at 2023 Senior Bowl

The 2023 Senior Bowl has arrived, which means we've officially entered draft season. The 2023 NFL Draft may not be the most highly anticipated in recent years for fans of the NY Jets, but there's always a level of intrigue and mystery surrounding the draft.

The Jets' coaching staff got an up-close-and-personal look at last year's Senior Bowl rosters and ended up drafting a number of players who made a name for themselves in Mobile. The likes of Jermaine Johnson, Max Mitchell, Micheal Clemons, and Jeremy Ruckert all participated in the 2022 Senior Bowl.

Other rookie standouts such as Tariq Woolen, Kenny Pickett, Christian Watson, Alec Pierce, Bernhard Raimann, and Coby Bryant helped improve their stock last year at this time.

Which players in this year's Senior Bowl could join them as future NFL standouts? Let's take a look at 14 Senior Bowl prospects the Jets should be keeping close tabs on.

14. Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia

If the Jets move on from Corey Davis this offseason, they're going to need a physical, vertical threat to replace him in the offense. One mid-round prospect who could fill that role is Virginia's Dontayvion Wicks.

At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Wicks has excellent ball skills with an outstanding blend of size, speed, and athleticism. He's a perfect developmental WR3 or WR4 with the potential to become a long-term starter at the position.

13. Jay Ward, S, LSU

Perhaps no position, aside from quarterback, remains a bigger need for the Jets this offseason than safety. LSU's Jay Ward is a natural fit as a free safety and a potential replacement for Lamarcus Joyner.

A converted cornerback, Ward has good range and surprising physicality given his background as a corner. He's dealt with some injury concerns that will limit him to the middle rounds, but he's still someone to keep an eye on.

12. Cody Mauch, OT/OG, North Dakota State

Every year, there seems to be one small-school offensive line prospect at the Senior Bowl who captures the heart and admiration of those in attendance. This year, that player has been Cody Mauch.

The toothless wonder is an experience plug-and-play starter at the NFL level, although many believe he doesn't have the length to be a tackle in the pros. Either way, he should find a home rather quickly, perhaps with the Jets.

11. Christopher Smith, S, Georgia

One of the most versatile defenders in this year's draft, Christopher Smith was a highly-regarded leader at Georgia who played everywhere from free safety to box safety to nickel cornerback.

Smith may stand at only 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, but his competitive toughness and high-football IQ make him a very intriguing fit for this Jets' secondary despite his average physical traits.

10. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss

Jonathan Mingo reminds me a lot of former Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa. He's a physical wideout who, at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, is built like a tank. Mingo thrives with the ball in his hands, specifically on designed touches.

He's still a little rough around the edges as an overall receiver and isn't the downfield threat you'd expect someone who possesses his size and athleticism to be, but there's more than enough to like about his overall skill set to take a chance early on Day 3.

9. Andre Carter, EDGE, Army

Jets general manager Joe Douglas has shown a willingness to take a chance on high-upside, low-floor players with natural physical gifts. Army edge rusher Andre Carter fits that profile to a tee.

Carter stands at an impressive 6-foot-7, 270 pounds with ample athleticism to boot. He's a major work in progress and isn't a very refined pass rusher, but the traits are there. Expect Carter to be a very popular developmental prospect.

8. Henry To'oTo'o, LB, Alabama

The Jets could look to add to their linebacker room this offseason, and one player I'd love to see the team target as their MIKE linebacker of the future is Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o.

To'oTo'o is an intelligent, instinctive linebacker prospect who offers consistency as a tackler with the athleticism and play recognition to become a three-down starter in the NFL. Bring me To'oTo'o on Day 2 of the draft.

7. O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida

A popular pick for the Jets in mock drafts, I'm not quite as high on O'Cyrus Torrence as others, but his physicality in the run game cannot be overlooked. The dude is a mauler and one of the best run-blockers in this year's draft.

There are concerns about Torrence's lateral agility and his fit in anything other than a power-run scheme, but his raw strength and run-blocking prowess will find him a home in the NFL.

6. Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

In a pretty talented offensive line class, Tennessee's Darnell Wright has seemingly gotten overlooked. Wright is an experienced, technically-skilled offensive tackle prospect who has played both left and right tackle.

He projects better as a right tackle in the NFL, and while he may not have the upside of guys like Broderick Jones, Wright should be able to step in as an early starter at the next level. He should be receiving more attention.

5. Keeanu Benton, iDL, Wisconsin

Defensive tackle is a low-key need for the Jets this offseason with Sheldon Rankins, Solomon Thomas, and Nathan Shepherd all set to hit free agency. My personal favorite defensive tackle draft option for the Jets right now is Keeanu Benton.

Benton is one of the best run-stuffers in this year's class, and he has the athleticism to continue developing his pass-rush arsenal. Think of this as the Foley Fatukasi replacement the Jets never added last offseason.

4. Rashee Rice, WR, SMU

Rashee Rice is one of the more highly-touted players at this year's Senior Bowl. The senior standout finished with 96 catches for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final year at SMU, developing into one of the most dynamic receivers in college football.

At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Rice has the versatility to play both in the slot and on the outside. If he could overcome some of the concentration drop issues he had in college, like CeeDee Lamb has in the NFL, Rice has superstar potential.

3. JL Skinner, S, Boise State

From a physical standpoint, Boise State's JL Skinner reminds me of a lot of former Notre Dame star Kyle Hamilton. While not nearly as refined or versatile of a prospect as Hamilton was, Skinner stands at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, and will garner attention for his size alone.

Skinner is a physical, downhill thumper with the size to match up with opposing tight ends. I have concerns about his play speed and change-of-direction skills, but Skinner is an intriguing target in the middle rounds of the draft because of his physical traits.

2. Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Speaking of physical traits, no player captured the attention of those in attendance at the Senior Bowl this week more than Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones. Jones is this year's Daniel Faalele: a behemoth of an offensive tackle who turns heads at the Senior Bowl due to his sheer size.

Jones had been overshadowed in the pre-draft process by teammate Paris Johnson, but after this week in Mobile, the 6-foot-8, 375-pound tackle is starting to receive some Day 1 chatter. He could be a target for the Jets either on Day 1 or Day 2 — if he makes it that far.

1. John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

Connor McGovern is set to hit free agency, and if the Jets are looking to replace him in the draft, their top target should be Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz.

Schmitz is a plug-and-play, day-one starting center in the NFL with the intelligence, experience, and athleticism to be a plus-starter in the future. He's expected to be the top center off the board in this year's draft.