NY Jets make two huge offensive additions in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

The NY Jets are gearing up for what should be an eventful and impactful 2022 NFL Draft. With loads of draft capital including four picks in the top-38, the Jets will have no shortage of options at their disposal.

That's why it's always fun to do these Jets mock drafts. There are just so many possible outcomes that, even with doing 1-2 mock drafts a week, it's nearly impossible to predict every potential scenario.

That was proven this week as we made two new selections with the Jets' first two picks. We've been running these weekly mock drafts for months and haven't mocked either of these players to the Jets in the first round yet. That changed here.

With help from The Draft Network's Mock Machine, let's take a look at our latest Jets seven-round 2022 NFL mock draft.

Round 1, 4th Overall, NY Jets: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State

The Jets didn't get lucky this time around with Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Evan Neal all off the board by the time they were on the clock. We pivoted with a pick that should become a very popular one amongst Jets fans.

NC State's Ikem Ekwonu has been shooting up draft boards with some even projecting him to go as high as the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. A three-year starter at left tackle, Ekwonu established himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the nation during his time at NC State.

At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, Ekwonu has the size and length to be a standout tackle in the NFL, but he also has experience playing guard and could undergo a natural transition there as well.

Ekwonu gives the Jets insurance for Mekhi Becton at left tackle in a player who could feasibly be a Week 1 starter at left tackle, right tackle, or even right guard. This is a slam-dunk pick.

Round 1, 10th Overall, NY Jets: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

I wanted to do something a little different with the 10th pick. No, Treylon Burks isn't my favorite wide receiver in this class and I'd prefer a player like Garrett Wilson at this spot. But some prefer Burks, and he is indeed an option here.

At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Burks would provide an element to the Jets' offense that they are currently missing. He's an absolute beast with and without the ball in his hands dominating in 50/50 situations and proving very difficult to tackle after the catch.

He reminds me of a younger Alshon Jeffery in the way he physically imposes his will on opposing defensive backs. He's not just a jump-ball receiver either. His YAC ability helps him stand out and could make him a dangerous weapon in the Jets' offense.

My biggest concern with him is separation, but he's still a first-round prospect and someone who very well could go as high as the top-10. This receiver class ultimately just comes down to what skill set each team prefers.

Round 2, 35th Overall, NY Jets: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

It doesn't seem as though the NFL is as high on Nakobe Dean as many analysts and draft scouts are. Once viewed as a potential top-10 pick, it's looking more and more likely that Dean is more of a fringe first-round prospect, at least right now.

Still, he has everything the Jets are looking for at the linebacker position. While his size won't blow anyone away (he stands at just 6-foot, 225 pounds), Dean is a superb athlete with the instincts and coverage skills to be a three-down linebacker at the next level.

Dean was named the 2021 Butkus Award winner as the nation's best linebacker for a reason. His speed allows him to be a disruptor as a pass rusher while his sideline-to-sideline agility helps him match up with any tight end and even some wide receivers.

I don't think we'll truly see Dean reach his ceiling until maybe his third year in the NFL. His tendency to overrun plays remains an issue. But few linebackers in this class have as high of a ceiling as he does.

Round 2, 38th Overall, NY Jets: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State

From one defensive starter to another, Jaquan Brisker is a bit more refined as a prospect than Dean is. In any normal draft class not featuring a freak like Kyle Hamilton, Brisker would be a strong candidate to be the best safety.

He has ideal size at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, is a fantastic athlete who recorded a 35’5” triple jump and a 10’7” standing broad jump this past summer, and has the versatility and coverage skills to be a day-one starter at free safety.

Brisker is a super well-rounded prospect who really doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. His length gives him an excellent tackle radius and he's proven to be a strong run defender.

While he might not have elite range, he has more than enough to get by and could even be used as a single-high safety if necessary. Brisker is a safe bet to be a good safety at the next level and is an ideal replacement for Marcus Maye.

Round 3, 69th Overall, NY Jets: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State

If Jeremy Ruckert is on the board at this spot, I'm going to pick him more often than not. Probably the most frequently mocked player to the Jets in these mock drafts, Ruckert has the upside of a top-five tight end at the NFL level.

He's another classic case of a player who was underutilized in a stacked Ohio State offense. Ruckert stands at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds with an absurd catch radius and plus-blocking traits.

His lack of collegiate production may cause some to overlook him, but scouts can't make the same mistakes they made with Michael Thomas and Terry McLaurin. Ruckert has every trait necessary to be a star in the NFL.

He is my TE1 in this draft class. And if the Jets can land him at the top of Round 3, I'll be doing backflips in my home. Plus, who doesn't love a hometown hero story?

Round 4, 107th Overall, NY Jets: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati

I get the sense the Jets don't see the cornerback position as nearly as big of a need as many others do. While some have the Jets going cornerback early (and that's very possible), I wouldn't be shocked if they waited until Day 3 to address the position again.

If they do, Cincinnati's Coby Bryant is an intriguing player to keep an eye on. Bryant has great size for the position at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, but he's not your typical tall, press-man corner with subpar speed.

Bryant is equally as adept in man coverage as he is in zone with the instincts and ball skills this Jets secondary needs. He has 18 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and seven interceptions over the last two seasons, and is a turnover just waiting to happen.

The Jets need that in a defense that struggled to create turnovers in 2021. Bryant is someone who can compete for snaps immediately as an outside cornerback.

MORE: NY Jets trade down TWICE in stacked 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

Round 4, 113th Overall, NY Jets: Sam Williams, EDGE, Ole Miss

The Jets will want to address edge rusher more than just with a fourth-round pick, but they have free agency and the trade market to help with that as well. As far as mid-round flyers go, Sam Williams is an appealing option.

Williams improved his draft stock a ton over the course of the 2021 season going from a possible undrafted prospect to someone who could feasibly go as high as Rounds 2-4.

He's a well-rounded, versatile player with good size at 6-foot-3, 268 pounds. Williams is a capable run defender, but his biggest selling point is the strides he made as a pass rusher this past season.

He isn't going to blow you away with his agility and bend, but Williams has enough burst, explosiveness, and power to be a very effective pass rusher at the next level. He's one to watch.

Round 5, 144th Overall, NY Jets: Ed Ingram, OG, LSU

Ed Ingram is one of the more overlooked guard prospects in this class. I'm not sure why he isn't garnering more Day 2 buzz, but if he's still on the board in the fifth round, the Jets shouldn't hesitate.

Ingram has good size at 6-foot-4, 320 pounds (identical to Ikem Ekwonu) with ample experience starting at both left and right guard. The latter is likely the role he would compete at with the Jets, although he has the length to project as someone who could play right tackle as well.

He's a bit on the older side for a prospect as he turns 23-years-old next month, but that age has provided him with the experience he needs to compete for a starting job early in his career.

I'm not saying Ingram is the Trey Smith of this draft class, but I do think he's a player who can absolutely earn a starting role in year one. And if you can land someone like that on Day 3, it's hard to complain.

Round 5, 161st Overall, NY Jets: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati

We finish off this draft class with another player who can contribute early in his career. Cincinnati's Jerome Ford emerged as a true bell-cow back in 2021 rushing for over 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns on an efficient 6.1 yards per carry.

A former Alabama recruit, Ford was given the chance to shine at Cincinnati and that helped establish him as the NFL prospect that he is. At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, Ford is a very effective between-the-tackles runner who runs with power and balance.

He excelled as a short-yardage runner in college with a nose for the end zone, as evidenced by his 19 touchdowns. That's exactly the type of running back the Jets are missing too.

Pairing Ford with a returning Michael Carter would give the Jets a very promising young duo with complementary skill sets. As far as late-round running back targets go, Ford is near the top of my list.