NY Jets: 4 early 2022 NFL Draft prospects to keep an eye on

1. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

This is already a name that's been thrown around quite a bit, especially on Jets Twitter. Few players in this class can already claim to be the consensus top player at their position, but Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum is one of them.

It's rare to see center prospects receive as much as Linderbaum has through the first few weeks of the college season. And if you haven't heard his name already, prepare to hear it plenty in the coming months.

Linderbaum originally committed to Iowa as a defensive tackle but switched to the offensive line after he was buried on the depth chart. He's only been playing center full-time for two years, but he already looks like a future All-Pro.

At 6-foot-3, 289 pounds Linderbaum is a little on the small size, but he makes up for it with otherworldly athleticism, high football IQ, and overwhelming strength at the point of attack.

Linderbaum's background in amateur wrestling helps him anchor his body in pass protection and win the leverage battle more often than not. He's about as good of a center prospect as you're going to find.

The Jets do have Connor McGovern who will be entering the final year of his contract in 2022. Despite what seems to be public opinion, McGovern has played well this year and is actually Pro Football Focus' sixth-highest graded center.

That said, he does have experience playing guard and could shift over if the Jets really like Linderbaum at center.

Many Jets fans have seemingly already labeled Tyler Linderbaum as one of their draft crushes. They long for the days of Nick Mangold — and perhaps Linderbaum could be the long-term replacement the team has been searching for.