NY Jets land Aidan Hutchinson, make a trade in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

We've reached the end of February, and we've already done more NY Jets mock drafts than I could count. We've explored trade downs, trade ups, surprise picks, obvious picks, and everything in between.

Do any of them mean anything? Not necessarily. They're strictly projections done for the sake of experimentation. And, most importantly, they're fun.

We have another mock draft this weekend with the Jets landing one of the best overall prospects in this year's class. On top of that, we were able to manage a trade down with a QB-needy team to secure future draft capital.

It seems likely that the Jets will be more than willing to explore the possibility of a trade down this year. That's especially true given that this year's class doesn't appear to be quite as talented as in years past.

That isn't to say there aren't a ton of good prospects at the top of the board, but the gap between picks 10 and 30 probably isn't nearly as wide as it typically is. This class might produce a ton of starters, but there is somewhat of a lack of elite talents.

That being said, we were still able to land some very promising prospects in this weekend's mock draft. With help from Pro Football Network's mock simulator, let's take a look at the results from our latest seven-round 2022 NFL mock draft.

Round 1, 4th Overall, NY Jets: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

With Evan Neal, Kyle Hamilton, and Kayvon Thibodeaux off the board, the Jets were somehow able to land a player who many believe could be the favorite to go first overall come April.

Michigan pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect who should instantly step in as an impactful starter on defense. At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, Hutchinson has excellent size for the position that he blends with outstanding speed, length, and effort.

He's the complete package — the prototypical 4-3 defensive end. Head coach Robert Saleh is looking for his next Nick Bosa and Hutchinson could be that player if the Jets surprisingly manage to land him.

I wouldn't expect Hutchinson to be available at this spot come April, but crazier things have happened on draft day. This year's top picks remain a mystery leading into March.

Round 1, 12th Overall, NY Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (TRADE)

We have a trade! The Minnesota Vikings phoned the Jets and were able to trade up two spots to select Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, sending the Jets a 2023 second-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick in exchange for the Jets' first of two fifth-round picks in 2022.

That's a sizable haul given that the Jets fell just two spots, with one of those selections being a quarterback. They were still able to secure a player who could become a cornerstone of their defense in Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner.

Gardner can make a strong case to be CB1 in this class. He has the physical tools, athleticism, and instincts to develop into an All-Pro at the next level.

The Jets are in the market for a potential CB1 this offseason, particularly one with good ball skills. Gardner, who had three interceptions in each of his three collegiate seasons, fits that profile.

Round 2, 35th Overall, NY Jets: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

I fully do not expect Treylon Burks to be available at this spot. That said, there is a scenario where he is. This year's wide receiver class is deep and talented, but there seems to be a very large discrepancy as to which prospects are the best.

Teams' draft boards are expected to be all over the place when it comes to this wide receiver class which could present a prime opportunity for someone like Burks to fall, even as far as out of the first round entirely.

That would play right into the Jets' favor. Burks is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound tank who runs like Marshawn Lynch with the ball in his hands and has the physicality of someone like Alshon Jeffery as a receiver.

Burks thrives in YAC situations and could fill the Deebo Samuel-lite role in the Jets' offense. The Jets need wide receiver help and Burks has the skill set and talent to provide a major boost.

Round 2, 38th Overall, NY Jets: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State

The Jets aren't necessarily in the market for a starting offensive tackle this offseason with Mekhi Becton and George Fant currently under contract, but Nicholas Petit-Frere makes a ton of sense as a target nonetheless.

Petit-Frere has experience playing both left and right tackle and is one of the most athletic tackles in this class. At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, the Ohio State product has silky smooth footwork and the length/lateral mobility combo to deal with the speediest of edge rushers.

He's a perfect fit in the Jets' zone blocking scheme and could project as a long-term starter at either tackle spot. Now, his role in 2022 might be a little murky.

However, the plan would be to have Becton and Petit-Frere as the Jets' two long-term starting tackles with Fant's contract expiring after the season. At the very least, Petit-Frere is excellent security for Becton at either tackle spot in 2022.

Round 3, 69th Overall, NY Jets: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M

The Jets are going to overhaul their tight end room this offseason. The only question remains what resources they'll use and what players they'll land. In this scenario, Texas A&M's Jalen Wydermyer joins the fray.

At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Wydermyer has a massive frame that he uses to be a matchup nightmare in the receiving game. The 21-year-old has a superb catch radius and outstanding body control that give him a high upside as a receiving threat.

While not the most technically sound blocker, Wydermyer's large frame helps him overpower defenders and he's never been short on effort.

The Jets could pair Wydermyer with a veteran free-agent signing to give the team a capable tight end room for the first time in over a decade.

TRENDING: 2022 NFL Mock Draft: NY Jets build around Zach Wilson, 3 QBs in the first round

Round 4, 109th Overall, NY Jets: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati

Darrian Beavers is a bit bigger than your typical Robert Saleh/Jeff Ulbrich linebacker prototype. At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Beavers would immediately become the largest linebacker on the roster.

But don't let his size fool you — he can move too. While Beavers is never going to be confused with Deion Sanders, the Cincinnati product is a former wide receiver and safety who bulked up and switched positions in college.

Coaches have raved about his intelligence and leadership and he's at his best when stacking and shedding blocks in run defense. He probably isn't someone you want dropping into deep zones over the middle of the field, but he has enough coverage ability to hold his own.

The Jets are looking for a true MIKE linebacker and Beavers could be that player, perhaps as early as this season, allowing C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams to maximize their athleticism at the WILL and SAM positions.

Round 4, 115th Overall, NY Jets: Nick Cross, S, Maryland

Another position the Jets are going to have to overhaul this offseason is the safety position. It seems unlikely that either Marcus Maye or Lamarcus Joyner returns in 2022 meaning that the team is realistically looking for two new starters.

Expect the Jets to come out swinging in pursuit of the top free agents at the position, but they could turn to the 2022 NFL Draft as well. Maryland's Nick Cross is an ideal fit for the Marcus Maye role in the defense.

At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Cross is a prototypical free safety with excellent physical tools and range. He's a hard hitter too and someone who's never afraid to get physical — Maryland even used him as a WILL linebacker at times.

Cross remains a work in progress from a technical perspective, both when it comes to his coverage and tackling skills. That said, he checks all the boxes the Jets look for in their safeties.

Round 5, 162nd Overall, NY Jets: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama

The Jets traded away their first of two fifth-round picks leaving them with just the lone pick here in Round 5. With our final selection, we added bruising Alabama tailback Brian Robinson Jr.

At 6-foot-1, 226 pounds, Robinson is a powerful, between-the-tackles runner who's next in a long line of successful Alabama running backs to make the transition to the NFL.

He's not an overly-dynamic athlete, but Robinson always fights for extra yards and has a nose for both the end zone and the first-down marker. That's exactly what the Jets are looking for.

Robinson could pair with Michael Carter to give the Jets a very promising young running back duo to build their running game around.