3 first-round draft mistakes that continue to haunt the NY Jets

Successful NFL teams are built through the NFL Draft. While the NY Jets have attempted to do the same, even succeeding at times, the franchise has countless misses in their history.

Of course, infamous draft busts such as Vernon Gholston, Dee Milliner, Lam Jones, and Kyle Brady are chief among those draft-day stumbles, but you don't have to go back far in Jets history to find misses.

The Jets' 2022 draft class stands out as arguably the best in franchise history, but some of the other draft classes in the Joe Douglas regime haven't been as successful. We're specifically looking at some questionable first-round picks in this list.

From obvious draft busts to puzzling decisions, here's a look at three first-round draft mistakes that still affect the Jets in the present day.

3. Will McDonald, DE, NY Jets

Will McDonald is the only player on this list who might still have a future with the Jets' organization. The most recent Jets first-round pick was a stunning one last year, and his lack of a role as a rookie already has many questioning the selection.

McDonald might very well turn into a really good player. He has the natural talent and athleticism to shine in Robert Saleh's defense, and it's never wise to doubt Saleh's ability to find and develop defensive talent — especially defensive linemen.

That isn't the point, though. McDonald was and still is a surplus. His selection will be used to justify letting Bryce Huff, the Jets' best pass rusher in multiple decades, walk in free agency. It also prevented the Jets from addressing more pertinent needs.

The Jets could've used their 2023 first-round pick on a wide receiver or offensive lineman, many of whom drafted after McDonald put together impressive rookie seasons. Instead, they drafted a backup edge rusher who isn't even a full year older than Huff.

McDonald might turn into a cornerstone of the Jets' defense, but unless he is as good or better than Huff (which seems unlikely at this stage), it's going to be hard to justify this pick.

2.. Mekhi Becton, OT, NY Jets

Joe Douglas' first first-round pick is also one of his most costly draft misses. The Jets went into the 2020 NFL Draft with an obvious need at offensive tackle and a loaded class of talented offensive linemen to help fill that hole.

Rather than opt for the high-floor Tristan Wirfs, the Jets decided to swing big — figuratively and literally — with their selection of the 6-foot-7, 370-pound Becton.

The decision made some sense at the time, as Becton had obvious All-Pro upside and was seen as more of a natural left tackle. Wirfs was a right tackle prospect who many believed could kick inside to guard at the NFL level.

It was a fascinating debate at the time but one that seems rather straightforward now. Wirfs has made three Pro Bowls in four NFL seasons, has been named to multiple All-Pro teams, and helped lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.

As for Becton, a promising rookie campaign paved the way for multiple lost seasons due to injury before he returned and struggled mightily in 2023. Injuries have defined Becton's career in the same way that durability and accolades have defined Wirfs' career.

The Jets are expected to part ways with Becton this offseason and continue their search for an answer at left tackle. Many of the team's persistent offensive line issues to this day stem from this one monumental draft miss.

Douglas swung for the fences and struck out in embarrassing fashion. There's no way around it — this was a major blunder by the Jets.

1. Zach Wilson, QB, NY Jets

It's obvious, isn't it? The current Jets regime has tied their present and future to a 40-year-old quarterback coming off a torn Achilles. They've reshaped their entire organization to satisfy said quarterback and have yet to even yield positive results from the acquisition.

Maybe Aaron Rodgers will shock the world and return to his MVP form in 2024, helping lead the Jets to the promised land, but that much remains to be seen.

Either way, it didn't have to be this way. The Jets were supposed to have their franchise quarterback of the future in Zach Wilson. He was the savior — the long-awaited top quarterback prospect who would finally reach his potential in New York.

Instead, he will likely go down as arguably the biggest draft bust in Jets history and one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Not quite the same story.

Wilson started two seasons with the Jets, struggling to the point that his numbers resembled some of the most infamous draft busts in recent NFL memory. He returned as the expected backup in 2023 before being thrust into action following Rodgers' injury.

There is no future for Wilson in New York. There will be no redemption or salvation. The former BYU star is expected to be traded this offseason, and he'll hope to salvage some sort of NFL career with his new team.

The current Jets' regime has backed themselves into a corner. They've put all their eggs in the Rodgers basket, sacrificing parts of the franchise to make it happen.

Instead of building around a young, talented quarterback on a rookie contract, the Jets are in a tight cap situation with an aging question mark of a QB coming off a major injury — and they only have themselves to blame.