NY Jets 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft after missing out on Odell Beckham Jr.

We are almost two weeks away from the NFL Draft, and some interesting developments could affect the NY Jets plans. Odell Beckham Jr. signed with the Ravens, which could leave a hole at receiver for the Jets, especially if Corey Davis is involved in the Aaron Rodgers trade as is being speculated.

Using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, let’s take a look at a new mock draft for the Jets.

NY Jets trade for Aaron Rodgers

Starting off, we have the Aaron Rodgers trade. This is the same trade I projected last week, except for one small change. In this scenario, the Jets would get a third-round pick from the Green Bay Packers if Rodgers only plays one season for the Jets and retires before the 2024 season.

There would also be some sort of condition on the 2024 second-round pick that it could become a first-round pick.

Round 1, 13th Overall, NY Jets: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

After missing out on Odell Beckham Jr. and trading Corey Davis to Green Bay, the Jets take Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Jets don’t need a wide receiver, but in a possible one-year rental with Aaron Rodgers, they should be looking to get as many weapons as they can for him.

A receiver group of Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be one of the best in the league.

Smith-Njigba only played in three games this season but had an amazing year in 2021. He put up over 1,600 yards and nine touchdowns.

He is arguably the consensus No. 1 wide receiver in the class and would fit right in the slot with Wilson and Lazard on the outside and Hardman as your Braxton Berrios replacement.

NY Jets trade up to pick No. 34 in the second round

Round 2, 34 overall, NY Jets: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

The Jets still have a need at offensive tackle since they did not fill it at 13, so they move up nine spots with two future draft picks to land Dawand Jones at the top of the second round.

This would give the Jets two good options at each tackle spot — Duane Brown or Mekhi Becton at left tackle and Dawand Jones or Max Mitchell at right tackle.

Jones is a massive tackle prospect at 6-foot-8 and 374 pounds and has excelled as the right tackle for Ohio State over the past two seasons. Per PFF, Jones allowed only five pressures in over 400 pass-blocking snaps and also had an impressive run-blocking grade of 85.0.

Round 4, 112th Overall, NY Jets: Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State

The Jets have missed out on a lot of free agents they have had their eye on so far this offseason. Jake Brendel, Fletcher Cox, Orlando Brown, Calais Campbell, and most recently Odell Beckham Jr. They are still in on a couple of veterans, including former Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones.

Hopefully they can get that deal done with him so they won’t be forced to take one in the early rounds and can wait to find Jones’ possible successor like Juice Scruggs here.

Scruggs is a versatile interior offensive lineman, having started at both right guard and center over his final two seasons at Penn State. He improved after his move to center, allowing only one sack in over 400 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF.

Round 5, 143rd overall, NY Jets: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame

The Jets' first defensive pick comes in the fifth round with safety Brandon Joseph. The Jets traded for Chuck Clark and still have Jordan Whitehead on the roster, but there is still room for someone who can play more of a free safety role.

Joseph is a ball-hawking safety with 10 interceptions over three collegiate seasons, including an impressive 2020 year at Northwestern, where he racked up six interceptions. It wouldn’t hurt to add a developmental free safety to a room that lacks someone with this skill set.

Round 6, 207th Overall, NY Jets: Lonnie Phelps, EDGE, Kansas

The Jets don't add an interior defensive lineman here, having already brought back Solomon Thomas and signed Quinton Jefferson. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, they are looking to bring in Al Woods or A'Shawn Robinson. Instead, they take a developmental edge prospect.

Edge rusher is a sneaky need for the Jets, with Carl Lawson and Bryce Huff in the final year of their contracts. Lonnie Phelps could be someone who could take on a Huff-style pass-rush specialist role.

He is a smaller edge at 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds, but he has great speed and athleticism. Phelps ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the Combine with a 1.62 10-yard split. Phelps had 25 sacks over his last two seasons at Miami University and Kansas.