5 NY Jets players whose fate could be sealed in the 2023 NFL Draft

2. C.J. Mosley, LB, NY Jets

C.J. Mosley is going to be one of the Jets' starting linebackers in 2023. The five-time Pro Bowler was named second-team All-Pro last season, and he remains one of the team's most important defensive cornerstones.

That said, the Jets could be looking to prepare for life after Mosley. Barring a restructure, the Jets will have an out in Mosley's contract next offseason, and they could save over $11 million by releasing him. If they designate him as a post-June 1st cut, they could save as much as $17 million in cap space.

The Jets love Mosley, but his contract has been an albatross on the team's cap situation for years now. General manager Joe Douglas has been looking to get Mosley's contracts off the books since he was hired in 2019.

Right now, there is no clear successor to Mosley on the current roster. Perhaps a player like former fifth-round pick Jamien Sherwood could step up this season and prove he could be that guy.

Or perhaps the Jets could search for Mosley's replacement a year early in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Jets still need a third linebacker, and if they target one early on Day 2, that player could eventually be groomed to take over for Mosley.

This year's linebacker class isn't very top-heavy, but there could be a number of value selections on Day 2 and Day 3. Players like Arkansas' Drew Sanders, Clemson's Trenton Simpson, and Iowa's Jack Campbell could still be on the board when the Jets select in the second round.

Any of those players could step in as an early starter in the base defense with the expectation that they take over for Mosley as the team's MIKE linebacker in 2024.

Unlike the others on this list, Mosley's 2023 status is secure, but the Jets could seal his future fate by drafting his replacement in a little over a week.