5 biggest needs the NY Jets need to address in the 2022 NFL Draft

1. The NY Jets need to improve the secondary

The Jets secondary needs to make strides across the board next season. While Bryce Hall, Brandin Echols, Michael Carter II, and Jason Pinnock all showed flashes throughout the season, the Jets would be wise to continue adding talent to the secondary. 

The Jets allowed the third-most receiving yards and third-highest completion percentage amongst all NFL teams. Although early-season injuries to veteran safeties Marcus Maye and Lamarcus Joyner certainly contributed to the unit’s struggles, the team was already working from a talent disadvantage before these injuries.

Perhaps the most worrisome trend with the secondary was their inability to force turnovers. The Jets recorded a measly seven interceptions, with only five of the interceptions coming from the secondary.

If the Jets hope to compete soon, they need to build an opportunistic defense that gives them extra opportunities to score with a favorable field position.

Douglas will undoubtedly look to spend money this offseason to bring in a veteran or two to fill some holes in the secondary, but he should also look to spend at least one of their five picks in the top-100 selections to improve the secondary.

In a class filled with intriguing prospects on the defensive side, the Jets will have multiple chances to land impact players at the secondary positions.

Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Cincinnati), and Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson) are all candidates to be selected with one of the Jets’ first-round picks, but there are also talented prospects (Coby Bryant, Jaquan Brisker, Jalen Pitre) that should be there for the taking after the first day.

In today’s pass-happy league, NFL defenses need to build their personnel to disrupt the passing game to give their offense a chance to stay on script.

By upgrading their secondary through the draft, the Jets will take another step on their mission to re-enter the competitive echelon of NFL teams with playoff aspirations.