9 players the NY Jets can target at pick No. 13 in the 2023 NFL Draft

The NY Jets remain in trade discussions with the Green Bay Packers surrounding quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While it's unclear what the Jets will eventually give up in a Rodgers trade, it is clear what they don't want to give up.

The Jets have no interest in parting ways with the No. 13 overall pick in this year's draft. General manager Joe Douglas has made that pretty clear and numerous reports suggest the same thing.

That means the Jets will almost certainly be using their first-round pick on a player, barring a trade up/down. There is no shortage of potential options for the team to consider.

With that in mind, let's take a look at nine prospects the Jets could theoretically target with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

9. NY Jets draft target: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

The Jets aren't exactly desperate for edge rush help, but with Robert Saleh involved, you can never discount the possibility the team stocks up on defensive line talent.

While the Jets may not have the opportunity to select top edge rushers like Will Anderson or Tyree Wilson without trading up, Clemson's Myles Murphy has a chance to make it to their selection at pick 13.

Murphy is a former five-star recruit whose production never quite matched his talent at Clemson. Still, at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Murphy is an outstanding athlete with an incredible blend of power, speed, and agility.

He projects as an instant starting-caliber player with All-Pro potential by his third or fourth year in the league. It may not be the biggest need for the Jets, but drafting Murphy as a best-player-available approach isn't out of the question.

8. NY Jets draft target: Jalen Carter, iDL, Georgia

Speaking of best player available, the Jets should run to the podium with their pick if Jalen Carter is still on the board by the time they pick at 13. Carter is considered to be one of the best overall prospects in this year's draft class.

At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Carter reminds me a lot of Quinnen Williams as a prospect. Carter was only a one-year starter at an SEC school, but his physical profile and obvious pass-rushing ability could make him one of the best defensive tackles in football in a few years.

There's been talk of Carter going as early as third overall to the Arizona Cardinals, but some off-field issues and poor performances at the NFL Combine and his pro day have threatened to tank his stock.

If Carter somehow slips all the way to pick 13, the Jets shouldn't hesitate. He should be the pick.

7. NY Jets draft target: Peter Skoronski, OT/OG, Northwestern

The first of three high-profile offensive tackle prospects in this year's class, Peter Skoronski has seen his stock dip a little in recent weeks. He's undoubtedly the most NFL-ready offensive lineman in this class, but there are concerns about his ability to play tackle at the next level.

Skoronski lacks the ideal length to play the offensive tackle position, and some teams might view him as a guard in the NFL. It's unclear where the Jets stand, but he could still be a target either way.

The plan right now appears to be for the Jets to move Alijah Vera-Tucker, who played some right tackle last year, back to guard, but if the team drafts Skoronski, they could keep one of the two as a tackle.

Skoronski projects as a day-one starter with a lengthy NFL career likely ahead of him. He would be a rock-solid addition to a Jets offensive line that still needs some work.

6. NY Jets draft target: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

Few players did more to improve their stock at this year's NFL Combine than Nolan Smith. The uber-athletic Georgia edge rusher ran a ridiculous 4.39 40-yard dash — the second-fastest time for any defensive lineman since 2003.

He was also the heaviest player in the last 10 years to post both a 40-inch-plus vertical leap (41 1/2 inches) and a 40-yard dash time below 4.40 seconds. Smith is an athletic wonder, and it shows up on tape as well.

The 22-year-old may be just 238 pounds, but he plays with a physical mindset. Smith isn't just an undersized pass-rush specialist — he can defend the run as well.

Much like Murphy, Smith wouldn't necessarily fill a significant need on the Jets' roster, but if the team falls in love with his upside, he might just be in play at pick 13.

5. NY Jets draft target: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

The Elijah Moore trade opens the door for the Jets to consider drafting a wide receiver in the first round, a notion that seemed unlikely just a week ago. If they do go that route, Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be atop their list.

The former five-star recruit set the Big Ten receiving record in 2021 as he finished with 1,606 yards. On a team that also featured Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, many believe that Smith-Njigba was actually the Buckeyes' best wide receiver.

At 6-foot, 198 pounds, Smith-Njigba is one of the best route-runners we've seen come out of college in recent years. He's silky smooth with and without the ball in his hands, knows how to find and attack open spaces, and has exceptional hands.

Smith-Njigba isn't the most explosive wide receiver, but he doesn't have to be. If the Jets are looking for Moore's replacement in the slot next month, they should look no further than Garrett Wilson's college teammate.

4. NY Jets draft target: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

The Aaron Donald comparisons are obvious with Calijah Kancey. Much like Donald, Kancey is an undersized but extremely athletic defensive tackle prospect out of Pittsburgh.

Those are some hefty shoes to fill, but Kancey has quickly made a case to be the second-best defensive tackle prospect in this class behind Jalen Carter. At just 6-foot-1, 281 pounds, Kancey plays with a high motor and was the spark plug in the middle of Pittsburgh's defense.

He's no doubt undersized for the position, and he has to work overtime to overcome his lack of length, but Kancey is the type of prospect teams are usually willing to take a chance on.

The Jets have an obvious need at the defensive tackle position, and Kancey might fall right in their range at pick 13. You know who else was drafted 13th overall? Aaron Donald. Let the comparisons continue.

3. NY Jets draft target: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

The Jets swung big on a high-upside tackle prospect a few years ago in Mekhi Becton. Although injuries have prevented Becton from reaching his ceiling in the NFL, his talent is undeniable.

The Jets could return to that same philosophy as they evaluate the offensive tackles in this year's class. Perhaps none have a higher physical upside than Georgia's Broderick Jones.

At 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, Jones possesses prototypical size for the tackle position. He combined excellent athleticism with impressive raw power to provide an ultra-high ceiling.

There are concerns about Jones' lack of experience (only 19 career starts) and his inconsistent technique, but the former five-star recruit has the potential to be a top-five tackle in the NFL before long. He's very much in play for the Jets at No. 13.

2. NY Jets draft target: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

The Jets may have traded for former Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark, but that doesn't mean they should be done addressing the position. The team needs a suitable replacement for Lamarcus Joyner, and neither Clark nor Whitehead could fill that role.

If the Jets turn to the 2023 NFL Draft in search of their Joyner replacement, Alabama's Brian Branch could make some sense as a first-round target.

Branch is widely considered to be the best option in a relatively weak safety class. The 2022 first-team All-American selection is a versatile safety prospect who thrives both in the slot and as a natural safety.

He may not be the best replacement for Joyner, as Branch is probably best near the line of scrimmage, but if the Jets are looking to stock up on as much versatile safety talent as they can, he could certainly be a target.

1. NY Jets draft target: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Paris Johnson Jr. is probably my favorite target for the Jets right now. A two-year starter at Ohio State, Johnson spent the 2021 season as the Buckeyes' right guard before moving to left tackle in 2022. He excelled at both positions.

Johnson is an outstanding athlete who, at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, is technically sound in pass protection and has the agility to get out in space as a run blocker.

Some have concerns about Johnson's overall functional strength and his inconsistent anchor, but the 21-year-old projects as an instant day-one starter at left tackle with legitimate All-Pro upside.

To me, he's the best combination of Broderick Jones' ceiling and Peter Skoronski's floor. Johnson should be a top target for the Jets in this year's draft.