9 NFL Draft prospects the NY Jets have met with at the NFL Combine

The NY Jets may not have sent their coaching staff to the 2022 NFL Combine, but their presence is still felt with Joe Douglas and other members of the front office in attendance.

The Jets have been doing their due diligence meeting with a number of the top prospects in this year's draft class. And, as is tradition, those prospects were asked about which teams they've met with in the media portion of the event.

The Jets have almost surely met with many, many more prospects than are on this list, but the following nine players have openly admitted to meeting with the Jets this week.

Which prospects could be on the Jets' radar ahead of drafts season? Let's take a look at nine 2022 NFL Draft prospects that have already met with the organization.

9. The NY Jets have met with: Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee

We're already cheating a little bit here as Matthew Butler reportedly met with the Jets at the East-West Shrine Bowl, not the NFL Combine. Still, a meeting is a meeting.

Butler is a late-rising defensive tackle prospect who made a name for himself at the Shrine Bowl and is looking to continue his steady rise at the Combine. At 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, Butler would fit right in as a three-technique in the Jets' attacking 4-3 scheme.

He isn't the longest or most physically gifted player, but Butler plays with a high motor and is fundamentally sound. It's easy to see the Jets targeting someone like Butler on Day 3 of the draft.

With Folorunso Fatukasi and Nathan Shepherd possibly departing in free agency, the Jets need extra interior depth and Butler could be just what they're looking for.

8. The NY Jets have met with: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

No, the Jets aren't drafting Malik Willis. Their meeting with Willis isn't an indication that they're in the quarterback market. After all, Willis admitted that he met with all 32 teams at this year's Combine.

So unless the Kansas City Chiefs are considering moving on from Patrick Mahomes, I think it's safe to say that the Jets aren't eyeing Willis and Zach Wilson's replacement.

Nonetheless, the Jets do have something to gain from meeting with Willis. It's always important for teams to have a feel for the quarterback class, and that's especially true for a Jets team with two top-10 picks.

Gaining some insight on a player who might be the top quarterback in this year's draft is never a bad thing. Don't be surprised if the Jets trade down with a QB-needy team moving up to draft Willis.

7. The NY Jets have met with: Jack Coan, QB, Notre Dame

On the other hand, if the Jets are looking to target a late-round quarterback in this year's draft, someone like Jack Coan, who has admitted to meeting with both the Jets and Giants, makes sense.

Most know about Long Island native Jeremy Ruckert, but Ruckert isn't the only local product in this year's draft. Coan, a former Wisconsin quarterback who found a home at Notre Dame, is from Sayville in Suffolk County.

Coan is a prospect who will appeal to teams looking for a traditional tough-as-nails, drop-back passer. He isn't someone who's going to make plays outside the pocket, but Coan has pretty mechanics and enough accuracy to intrigue scouts.

Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network even compared him to former Jets draft pick James Morgan. Perhaps Joe Douglas sees similar traits in Coan as well.

6. The NY Jets have met with: Cole Strange, OG, Chattanooga

This is the last time we're going to cheat on this list, I promise. Chattanooga guard Cole Strange reportedly met with all 32 teams at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, and it's easy to see a team like the Jets being interested.

Strange is a nasty run-blocker who has over 40 games of starting experience accumulated during his time at Chattanooga. He comes from a small school, but his performance at the Senior Bowl showed that he could hang with a step up in competition.

The Jets are looking for guard help this offseason and Strange could make sense as a target on Day 3. He even received some snaps at center at Mobile proving that he has a little positional flexibility to his game.

Cole Strange is an intriguing Day 3 target for the Jets.

5. The NY Jets have met with: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

Tyler Linderbaum has been a favorite prospect of many Jets fans for quite some time. And those fans were surely pleased to hear Linderbaum insist that he has, in fact, met with the Jets this week.

The former Iowa standout is unanimously viewed as the best center in this year's class and one of the best center prospects the NFL has seen in years. It's easy to see him making a Creed Humphrey-like impact in his first year in the league.

Linderbaum is a technically-sound super athlete who would fit like a glove in the Jets' zone-blocking scheme. Connor McGovern showed significant improvements in 2021, but the Jets could look to cut ties with the veteran lineman or even move him to guard.

Linderbaum is on the Jets' radar. Whether they actually target him in the draft is another story. But they are interested.

4. The NY Jets have met with: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State

The Jets have already met with both Long Island natives in this year's draft, and those eyeing Jeremy Ruckert as a potential target for Gang Green should be very pleased to hear that.

Ruckert admitted that he met with the Jets this week, although he did also insist that the Buffalo Bills were the only true New York team. Combine interviews giveth and taketh away.

Nonetheless, Ruckert is one of the top tight end prospects in this year's draft class. He doesn't have the same collegiate production as guys like Trey McBride or Jalen Wydermyer, but he has an NFL-ready skill set that should allow him to excel early in his career.

The Jets have an obvious hole at the tight end position, and Ruckert is among the favorites to fill that hole in the draft.

3. The NY Jets have met with: George Pickens, WR, Georgia

The Jets are already confirmed to have met with three of the top wide receiver prospects in this year's class. The first of whom we're going to discuss is Georgia's George Pickens.

Pickens is a dangerous downfield threat with elite ball skills that help him make contested catches on a regular basis. He has excellent deep speed and it's that size/speed blend that will interest plenty of NFL teams.

There are some injury concerns, however, as Pickens tore his ACL in the spring, although he was able to battle his way back and even play late this past season. Still, it's something to keep in mind.

The Jets are in search of wide receiver help and Pickens could be a very appealing target on Day 2.

2. The NY Jets have met with: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

In such a deep and talented wide receiver class, a player like Jahan Dotson has managed to get overlooked. Make no mistake, however, he's a Round 1 talent who could go on to be one of the most productive receivers from this draft class.

Dotson is a smooth route runner with the versatility to play either in the slot or on the boundary. He has good speed and excellent body control which makes him a dangerous threat with the ball in his hands.

It's unlikely Dotson will be a target for the Jets in the first round, but if he manages to fall to the top of Round 2, it's hard to imagine he won't be in play.

Dotson is one of the best wide receivers in this draft class, and the Jets are likely very well aware of that. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he's a local New Jersey native from Newark.

1. The NY Jets have met with: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

When speaking to the media this week, Arkansas wide receiver noted that he had met with a host of NFL teams. However, he made sure to point out that one team meeting, in particular, went "really well." That was his meeting with the New York Jets.

Does that mean anything? Probably not. But it does show that the Jets are interested in a prospect who realistically could be a target on Day 1.

Burks has been compared to the likes of A.J. Brown and Deebo Samuel given his size and ability to make plays after the catch. He could thrive in a Mike LaFleur system that emphasizes YAC ability as a high-volume target.

A wide receiver trio of Burks, Elijah Moore, and Corey Davis has a ton of potential, and it might just be a reality come next month.