5 NY Jets OT targets at different ranges in the 2023 NFL Draft

The NY Jets likely have to draft an offensive tackle in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. There has been plenty of talk surrounding Peter Skoronski, Paris Johnson, Broderick Jones, and even Darnell Wright.

However, there are other offensive tackle options at other points in the draft. Here are five offensive tackle targets at different ranges in this year's NFL Draft.

Round 1: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

The first option we start off with is someone the Jets can target in the first round. Paris Johnson Jr. is arguably the best offensive tackle in the draft and could start right away at left or right tackle, depending on the health of Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown. Johnson also has experience at right guard, so he could fill in there if needed as well.

Johnson has the size that the Jets look for in their offensive tackles at 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds with 36 1/8-inch arms. In his lone season as the starting left tackle for Ohio State, Johnson allowed just 14 pressures on 449 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

Johnson has had PFF run-blocking grades of 83.5 and 80.9 over the past two seasons and improved his pass-blocking grade from 65.4 to 77.8 in 2022.

Round 2: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

If the Jets want to address another position of need in the first round, there could still be some good options available when they pick in the second round at either 42 or 43. Matthew Bergeron from Syracuse would be someone who fits the bill.

Bergeron has a lot of experience starting at both tackle spots and would add much-needed insurance to the Jets' offensive tackle room. Over the last two seasons, starting at left tackle for Syracuse, Bergeron allowed only 23 pressures on over 700 pass-blocking snaps.

Bergeron has had impressive PFF pass-blocking grades over the past two seasons, with 85.4 and 80.8 marks, respectively.

Round 3/4: Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama

An option on late Day 2 or early Day 3 of the draft could be Alabama’s Tyler Steen. Steen has four years of starting experience as both a left and right tackle at Vanderbilt and Alabama.

He could be a candidate to move inside with only 32 3/4-inch arms, but he will provide quality offensive line depth across the board and could potentially find a spot on the starting line at some point.

Steen’s best season came in 2021 when he allowed only 15 hurries on almost 500 pass-blocking snaps. The Jets have met with Steen, so there is some interest there.

Round 5/6: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

Blake Freeland is another tackle prospect with a lot of starting experience at both left and right tackle. Unlike Steen, however, Freeland is not someone who would move inside.

At 6-foot-8 and 302 pounds, Freeland had a very impressive Combine performance. Freeland ran a 4.98 40-yard dash with a 1.68 10-yard split and jumped a 37-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-0-inch broad jump.

Freeland also graded out incredibly well per PFF, with a 90.7 run-blocking grade and an 87.9 pass-blocking grade. At his size and with his athleticism, Freeland has immense potential and would be worthy of a draft pick in this range.

Round 7/UDFA: Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan

Last but not least, we have a possible seventh-round or undrafted free agent option in Ryan Hayes. Hayes spent the past two seasons as Michigan's left tackle. Hayes allowed only 11 pressures and no sacks on 357 pass-block snaps in 2022.

Similarly to Freeland, Hayes’ main issue is play strength, but as a late-round pick who can spend a year or two developing, it would not be a bad situation. The Jets took Max Mitchell in the fourth round last year with similar intentions, but he was forced to play due to injuries.