The NY Jets selected Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann with the 43rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This is a massive win for the Jets, as Tippmann is an incredibly solid lineman with great mobility who can step in as an early starter.
Tippmann redshirted his first year at Wisconsin and played in two games in 2020. However, the 2021 season would prove to be a breakout year for Tippmann. That's when he became a full-time starter.
He played in 11 games that year, starting 10 at center. Wisconsin had the No. 2 rushing offense in the Big Ten that year, largely thanks to Tippmann.
Last season, Tippmann played all 12 games of the regular season for the Badgers, starting them all at center. He would go on to earn the offensive line's best run-blocking grade, while only allowing one sack and five pressures on 338 pass-blocking snaps.
With that said, how does he fit into the Jets' offense?
How does Joe Tippmann fit into the NY Jets offense?
The acquisition of Tippmann could be one of the Jets' best picks of the entire draft. Coming into the draft, Tippmann was described by ESPN as someone who "does a good job at dropping his hips and preventing rushers from pushing him back" and was described as someone who "shows great awareness identifying twists, stunts, and blitzes."
So, what does this mean for the Jets? The Jets recently re-signed Connor McGovern, who is a starting-caliber lineman. With the acquisition of Tippmann, the Jets can do a couple of different things here. The first is he could be the starting center come Week 1, which would surprise absolutely no one.
However, the second thing the Jets can do is put McGovern at the center and consider putting Tippmann at guard, moving Alijah Vera-Tucker to a tackle spot. Obviously, you need to count on Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton being healthy, which could ultimately factor into it.
Overall, this pick could go down as one of the Jets' best of the draft. Tippmann brings a lot to the team, and with his skill set, a lot can be done to help solidify the Jets' offensive line. After all, you have to protect Aaron Rodgers.