20 players the NY Jets could target on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft

The NY Jets prioritized bolstering the trenches on Day 1 and Day 2 of the draft, first selecting Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald in the first round before they added Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann in the second round.

McDonald and Tippmann provide a solid foundation for the Jets' 2023 NFL Draft class, but their work isn't over. The Jets still have three picks to make on Day 3 of the draft, and there are quite a few intriguing players still available.

Day 3 is where the true draft gems are found, and with three selections in the first two rounds of the day, the Jets have a chance to make some serious noise.

But who should they target? Which remaining players make sense for the team? Let's take a look at 20 remaining players the Jets could target on the third day of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Potential NY Jets Day 3 targets

20. Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green

The Jets could still use some additional defensive tackle help, and Bowling Green's Karl Brooks makes plenty of sense. A five-year starter in college, Brooks stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 296 pounds.

Brooks registered 17.5 sacks over his final two seasons at Bowling Green and has the physical makeup of a developmental 3-technique defensive tackle at the next level.

19. Daniel Scott, S, California

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Jets take a swing on a safety on Day 3, specifically more of a natural free safety. One player who fits that profile is California's Daniel Scott.

Scott is one of the rangier safeties in a relatively weak class, with legitimate 4.45 speed and one of the highest RAS scores of all time. He's a little rough around the edges, but you won't find many better athletes at the safety position.

18. Parker Washington, WR, Penn State

The Jets might look to add to their wide receiver room on Day 3, and if they do, I'd expect the team to target more of a slot guy. Penn State's Parker Washington could be a player to keep an eye on.

Washington stands at just 5-foot-9, 204 pounds, but he's built well and is a developed route runner. If the Jets are looking for a nice complement to Mecole Hardman in the slot, Washington makes a lot of sense.

17. Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn

Robert Saleh loves his undersized linebackers, and at 6-foot, 225 pounds, Owen Pappoe certainly fits the bill. Pappoe is a twitched-up athlete who started all four years as the MIKE linebacker at Auburn.

The natural instincts may not be there, but Pappoe has gotten better every year and should immediately be an early contributor on special teams. He's an athletic developmental linebacker prospect.

16. Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

The Jets already added one offensive lineman, but that doesn't mean they won't look to draft another one on Day 3. If they're hoping to address their tackle depth, BYU's Blake Freeland could be on their radar.

At 6-foot-7, 302 pounds, Freeland has excellent size and length for the position. There are legitimate concerns about Freeland's play strength, but his length, footwork, and versatility (experience playing both tackle spots) warrant consideration early on Day 3.

15. Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh

The Jets were reportedly eyeing Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, and even if you aren't willing to believe that, the team has shown quite a bit of interest in running backs in the pre-draft process.

One potential Day 3 is Pittsburgh's Israel Abanikanda. A Brooklyn native, Abanikanda is a classic one-cut back with excellent vision and acceleration. He would be a great fit in an already-talented Jets running back room.

14. Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue

I don't expect the Jets to draft a quarterback, but they have shown interest in a few QBs in the pre-draft process. One player they met with is Purdue's Aidan O'Connell.

O’Connell started three years at Purdue, twice earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. While not the most physically-gifted quarterback, O’Connell is accurate and savvy, with the tools to be a quality NFL backup.

13. Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State

One of the better safety prospects still available as we enter Day 3 is Florida State's Jammie Robinson. Robinson is undersized for the safety position at just 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, but he's a physical player who avoided injuries in college.

The 2022 All-American has natural instincts and projects best as a nickel/safety hybrid in the NFL. Perhaps Robert Saleh could find some use for him in the Jets' defense.

12. Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati

Tyler Scott is one of the best pure route-runners in this class. At 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, he isn't going to win any size competitions, but Scott is physical at the catch point and much better in contested-catch situations than you'd expect.

Scott ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day and could be a perfect addition to the Jets' wide receiver room. I could definitely see him thriving in Nathaniel Hackett's offense.

11. Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

The Jets have looked into the idea of drafting a tight end this year, and perhaps the most interesting tight end prospect remaining is Old Dominion's Zack Kuntz.

Kuntz stands at an incredible 6-foot-8, 257 pounds, and at that size, he was clocked at running an unbelievable 4.55 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He's very much a work in progress, but Kuntz has a rare blend of size and speed.

10. Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

Antonio Johnson makes sense for the Jets if they're looking at potentially moving on from Jordan Whitehead. He doesn't exactly fit the free safety role they might be looking for, but Johnson is one of the best overall players at any position still available.

A two-year starter at Texas A&M, Johnson thrives near the line of scrimmage as a hybrid nickel/box safety. He's a physical run defender who can match up well with tight ends in man-to-man coverage.

9. Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina

At just 5-foot-8, 179 pounds, Keaton Mitchell is likely never going to be a three-down running back at the next level. But with 4.37 speed, he's likely going to find a role somewhere.

Mitchell is an explosive change-of-pace back who can take the role of Ty Johnson on the Jets' roster as a regular special-teams contributor and occasional scatback on offense.

8. Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion

A three-year starting right tackle at Old Dominion, Nick Saldiveri has worked out at all five offensive line spots in the pre-draft process. He's a true jack-of-all-trades offensive lineman in the mold of someone like Patrick Mekari.

The Jets have already bolstered their offensive line depth in a big way, but if they want a versatile offensive lineman who can legitimately play all five spots, Saldiveri is their guy.

7. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Perhaps the best overall player remaining entering Day 3, Georgia's Kelee Ringo was seen as a borderline Round 1 prospect. His fall to Day 3 is somewhat reminiscent of Tariq Woolen's slide a year ago.

Ringo checks all the physical boxes. He's 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, and he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The Jets don't need a cornerback, but there has been talk of Ringo moving to safety in the pros. Perhaps they give him a look there.

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

Henry To'oTo'o has been the heart and soul of Alabama's defense since he transferred to the team in 2021. He's undersized at 6-foot-1, 227 pounds, but he's a natural leader on and off the field with a high-football IQ.

To'oTo'o isn't the prototypical athlete that the Jets usually covet in their linebackers, but he's an instinctive player, reliable tackler, and versatile defender. The Jets could find a role for him.

5. Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State

There are a couple of natural free safeties the Jets could consider on Day 3, and Oklahoma State's Jason Taylor II might be high on their list. Taylor posted elite vertical and broad jump numbers at the NFL Combine, although he's undersized at just 5-foot-11, 203 pounds.

The 23-year-old led the Big 12 in interceptions as a senior and could step in as an early special-teams contributor with the potential to fill a void in the Jets' defense. The Jets brought Taylor in for a top-30 visit a few weeks ago.

4. Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU

The Jets are still in need of a big-bodied space-eater in the middle of their defense, and LSU's Jaquelin Roy could provide the best bang for their buck on Day 3.

Roy stands at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, and is one of the more powerful defensive tackles in this class. He's still a work in progress with just 13 career starts under his belt, but Roy makes sense as a developmental 1-technique the Jets could add in the middle rounds of the draft.

3. DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

Another player who the Jets hosted on an official top-30 visit this month is UAB running back DeWayne McBride. McBride was an extremely productive player in college, setting numerous school records following a 2022 season that saw him finish with 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns on 7.4 yards per carry,

McBride has all the makings of a potential Day 3 running back steal. He's a compact runner who fights through contact, showcases excellent vision, and displays impressive lateral agility. McBride is one of my favorite Day 3 targets for the Jets.

2. Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

If not Kelee Ringo, Ohio State's Dawand Jones is the biggest surprise player — literally and figuratively — still available on Day 3. Jones was seen as a fringe Round 1 prospect, which is what makes his fall so surprising.

The mammoth offensive tackle stands at 6-foot-8, 374 pounds, with a nasty dominator-like demeanor in the run game. Concerns about his weight may have caused his slide, but if the Jets feel comfortable with his size, he could be an excellent value pick at this stage.

1. Christopher Smith, S, Georgia

My favorite safety target remaining for the Jets is Georgia's Christopher Smith. He's undersized at just 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, but Smith is the best center-field safety in this class.

Smith has natural ball skills, excellent range, and outstanding intangibles. If the Jets can overlook his lack of size, Smith makes a ton of sense for them in the fourth or fifth round, provided he's still available.