5 early contenders for the NY Jets first-round pick in 2023

The NY Jets have the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. After a great start to the season, it is bittersweet to see them pick in the top 15 for the seventh year in a row.

Although 13 is usually an unlucky number, the 13th pick has seen some really good players taken in recent years. Jordan Davis, Christian Wilkins, Daron Payne, Haason Reddick, and even Aaron Donald have been selected 13th.

More importantly for the Jets, 13 has been a sweet spot for offensive tackles, which could very well be the way the Jets go come April.

Rashawn Slater, Tristan Wirfs, and Laremy Tunsil were the last three offensive tackles to be taken at 13. If the Jets go that route, it's safe to say they will hope to acquire a player of this caliber.

Here are five early contenders for the Jets first-round pick.

1. Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Speaking of Rashawn Slater, here we see his replacement at Northwestern, Peter Skoronski. Skoronski took over at left tackle as a true freshman after Slater left for the NFL and has excelled there over the last three years.

Skoronski only allowed five sacks throughout his college football career and got better each year. One concern with Skoronski is his size; he's 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds but has shorter arms than you would want in an offensive tackle. This could lead to a team wanting to move him to guard.

However, there were similar concerns with Slater coming out of college as well, and he has not had any problems as an offensive tackle in the NFL.

Overall, Skoronski is many people's top offensive tackle in this year's draft, so you would think that he doesn't make it to pick 13, but maybe the size and length concerns turn some teams away and the Jets could get a steal.

Whether he plays tackle or guard, the Jets would be getting a really good offensive lineman for a team that needs one.

2. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Paris Johnson Jr. would be another great offensive tackle prospect for the Jets to select. Unlike Skoronski, Johnson has great size at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds.

Johnson also gives you versatility in his game, having played every offensive line position except center over his time at Ohio State. 2022 was his first season as the starting left tackle, and he excelled, allowing only two sacks and 12 hurries on over 800 snaps.

Paris Johnson Jr. could come in and immediately slot in at left tackle or right tackle, depending on Mekhi Becton’s health.

3. Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

Last but not least among the offensive tackle options we have is Broderick Jones. Jones is the wild card among the three as he has all of the physical tools but is the least experienced.

Jones is a big bully of an offensive tackle at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds and moves very well for his size. In his only full year starting at left tackle, Jones played great. Jones allowed no sacks and only seven hurries on over 900 snaps for the Bulldogs.

Skoronski, Johnson, and Jones make up the big three offensive tackles in this year’s draft. Barring something unforeseen in free agency, with the offensive tackle problems we saw this year for the Jets, they do not have the luxury to pass on any one of these three that make it to pick 13.

4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

There is a chance that all three offensive tackles will be gone, forcing the Jets to look elsewhere. What’s the next best thing the Jets can do to help whoever their new quarterback is? Give him another receiver to throw to.

Corey Davis and Braxton Berrios seem like they could be cap casualties, so there will be a need for a third wide receiver next to Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore 

Smith-Njiba did not play much this year due to a hamstring injury, but he was dominant in 2021. In his sophomore season, he racked up 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.

Smith-Njiba received praise from Garrett Wilson, who called him "probably the best" he’s ever seen at wide receiver. Wilson has played with the likes of Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, and even Marvin Harrison Jr., so that is quite the compliment.

As mentioned, it will be hard for the Jets to not take an offensive tackle if one is available, but if not, Smith-Njiba would be a great option.

5. Brian Branch, S, Alabama

If the Jets want to address the defensive side of the ball, they can fill one of their biggest needs with Brian Branch. Lamarcus Joyner is a free agent and Jordan Whitehead is potentially another cap casualty, so safety will be a big need.

Branch played all over the field over his three seasons at Alabama. 2022 was his best season, gathering 90 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions. Branch is also an extremely impressive tackler, having missed only four tackles in his college career, per PFF.

The 13th overall pick could be a little rich for a safety, but Branch is a really good player who would help the Jets' already impressive defense.