NY Jets conclude incredible draft with confusing DE Micheal Clemons pick

The NY Jets have received near-universal praise for a 2022 NFL Draft class that has a chance to be historic. However, their final selection of Texas A&M defensive end Micheal Clemons certainly raised a few eyebrows.

The Jets went into Day 3 with just two picks remaining, both toward the top of the fourth round. After adding Louisiana-Lafayette offensive tackle Max Mitchell at pick 111, the Jets added yet another defensive end a few selections later.

Clemons is certainly an odd pick for the Jets for a number of reasons. The former Texas A&M standout will turn 25-years-old before the season begins, has an extensive injury history, and has had quite a few off-field issues.

This isn't to say that the pick has no chance of working out, but it's fair to say that most did not expect a player like Clemons to be a target for the Jets. Especially in the fourth round with more important positions to address.

Micheal Clemons is a weird draft pick for the NY Jets

A no-star linebacker recruit coming out of high school, Clemons went the JUCO route and spent a couple of years at Cisco Community College in Texas, added 40 pounds in weight, and made the transition to defensive end.

He battled injuries and eventually established himself as a three-star JUCO transfer in 2017 before joining Texas A&M. His rollercoaster of a football journey continued upon arriving at College Station.

Clemons missed the entire 2018 season with a foot injury, battled injuries again in 2019 and 2020, was suspended for the season opener in 2021, and was arrested twice in a three-month span this past year for various non-violent charges.

The Jets are hoping that Clemons' senior year production at Texas A&M, which saw him emerge as arguably the best player on that defense, carries over into the NFL.

But given his age, injury history, and various off-field issues, this feels like a very anti-Joe Douglas pick. It's also important to note that the Jets were already at least six-deep at defensive end. Clemons is a surplus.

The Jets absolutely crushed the 2022 draft and Micheal Clemons could certainly still contribute. But this was an odd pick for Joe Douglas' squad, there's no way around that.