NY Jets trade down, fix defense in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

The NY Jets are just a few weeks away from the start of the 2022 NFL Draft, a three-day period that promises to be an eventful one for Gang Green.

With more draft capital than almost any team in recent NFL history, the Jets have an opportunity to change the fortunes of their franchise for the foreseeable future. Or, as always, their efforts could have the opposite effect.

In our latest seven-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft, we have the Jets trading down with their first of two first-round picks, something that's been rumored quite a bit. And with a total of 11 picks, we were able to land a pretty impressive draft haul.

With the help of Pro Football Network's mock simulator, let's take a look at the results from our most recent mock, first analyzing the trade down.

Round 1, 8th Overall, NY Jets: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

The Jets fell just four spots and were able to pick up an additional second and fourth-round pick. With my preferred target, Kayvon Thibodeaux, already off the board, this move made plenty of sense.

Atlanta traded up to select local Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker, but the Jets were still able to land an edge rusher who I prefer to Walker in Florida State's Jermaine Johnson.

Johnson burst onto the scene at Florida State in 2021 after transferring from Georgia. He finished with 11.5 sacks in 12 games en route to being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

There are few glaring holes in Johnson's game and he has all the makings of a standout pass rusher at the next level. He isn't quite another Nick Bosa for Robert Saleh, but Johnson could still help transform the Jets' pass rush.

Round 1, 10th Overall, NY Jets: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

There isn't a consensus WR1 in this year's class, but if not for Jameson Williams' torn ACL, more people would probably be talking about him in that conversation. Even with the injury, most don't expect it to affect his draft stock much, if at all.

An Ohio State transfer, Williams emerged as Alabama's No. 1 wide receiver in 2021 putting together a phenomenal season that was cut short due to injury. It wasn't a surprise when he was named first-team All-American following a 79-catch, 1,572-yard season.

Williams is a silky-smooth route runner who excels in the short, intermediate, and deep passing games. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Williams is a dynamic athlete with big-play potential every time he's on the field.

The Jets are looking for a player who could be their true WR1 both in 2022 and beyond, and Williams might just offer the team their best shot to find one in this draft class.

Round 2, 35th Overall, NY Jets: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor

The Jets went out and signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout Jordan Whitehead in free agency, but that doesn't mean they're done addressing their safety room.

Ideally, the Jets could target a player who would complement Whitehead's skill set in the 2022 NFL Draft. Baylor's Jalen Pitre is an intriguing target to fill that role.

Pitre is a versatile chess piece who excelled as a do-it-all playmaker in Baylor's defense. He has sideline-to-sideline speed and natural instincts that make him dangerous, especially in zone coverage.

While he's not your prototypical center-field free safety, Pitre has the athleticism and range to thrive in a free safety role. He also has no problem defending the run and can be used in an interchangable role with Whitehead if need be.

Round 2, 38th Overall, NY Jets: Tyler Smith, OT/OG, Tulsa

The Jets remain interested in bolstering their offensive tackle depth, and while drafting one in the first round might be a bit much, don't be surprised if they add a young tackle on Day 2.

Tulsa's Tyler Smith is a very appealing developmental target who could have a future with the Jets at a number of different positions. Primarily a left tackle in college, Smith might have a higher ceiling as a guard in the NFL.

He's an aggressive, tenacious run blocker who possesses impressive power at the point of attack. He tends to be a little sloppy in pass protection from time to time, but that could be solved with a move to guard.

Ultimately, the Jets could opt to keep Smith at tackle given Mekhi Becton's injury concerns and George Fant's soon-to-expire contract, or they could move him to guard where he could eventually take over for Laken Tomlinson.

His versatility is a plus. Tyler Smith is a very inrtguing developmental offensive line prospect on Day 2.

Round 2, 43rd Overall, NY Jets: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut

The loss of Folorunso Fatukasi leaves the Jets very thin on the interior of their defensive line. In particular, they could really use a stocky defensive tackle who excels against the run.

Connecticut's Travis Jones is my favorite Fatukasi replacement in this class. Jones arrived at UConn at over 360 pounds before losing almost 40 pounds of body fat. At 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, Jones is a powerful run-stuffer who has a higher upside as a pass rusher than Fatukasi ever did.

Jones is a day-one starter who projects best as a 1-technique/nose tackle in the NFL. His athleticism makes him a better fit than Fatukasi was in the Jets' attacking 4-3 scheme as well.

The Jets' run defense was putrid last season, and after losing probably their best run defender in Fatukasi, they need a player like Travis Jones.

Round 3, 69th Overall, NY Jets: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State

The Jets are happy with the young cornerbacks they have on their roster, but there's always room to add more depth. Mississippi State's Martin Emerson has gotten somewhat overlooked in a pretty talented cornerback class, but expect to hear his name called within the first 80 or so picks.

At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Emerson has impressive length for the position and the instincts that helped him thrive in a zone-heavy Mississippi State system.

He's only a modest athlete which is why he's gotten overlooked to a degree, but Emerson has the skill set to excel in Robert Saleh's defensive scheme. His high football IQ and exceptional length allow him to jump into passing lanes and make plays in zone coverage.

Emerson could compete with the likes of Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols while adding further depth to a very young Jets cornerback room.

Round 4, 111th Overall, NY Jets: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama

Michael Carter broke out in 2021 and emerged as the Jets' undisputed RB1, but the team doesn't see him as someone who's going to ever be a bell-cow back. The Jets very much want a running back rotation.

They brought back Tevin Coleman and will return the likes of Ty Johnson and Austin Walter, but the Jets are really missing some physicality from their backfield rotation. Alabama's Brian Robinson Jr. would fix that problem instantly.

At 6-foot-1, 226 pounds, Robinson is a bruising tailback who could be next in a long line of talented Alabama running backs to find success at the NFL level. Robinson thrives as a short-yardage back with the power to run through would-be tacklers when he gets downhill.

On top of that, Robinson is a very impressive pass blocker for a player his age making him even more valuable. He would be a steal in the fourth round.

Round 4, 114th Overall, NY Jets: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati

The Jets may not see the linebacker position as a major need entering the 2022 NFL Draft, but they would be foolish to ignore the position altogether. It's far from a strength of the roster.

Cincinnati's Darrian Beavers would be a perfect target early on Day 3. He's someone who can immediately compete for reps in the team's base package while potentially taking over the C.J. Mosley role in 2023.

At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Beavers is larger than your typical Robert Saleh linebacker. Still, as a former wide receiver and safety, he moves very well for a man his size and can hold his own in coverage.

Beavers' best fit is probably as a future MIKE linebacker and his intelligence, leadership, and run-defending abilities should appeal to a Jets team that's in need of all three of those things on defense.

NY Jets address biggest needs in post-free agency 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

Round 4, 117th Overall, NY Jets: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia

Even after signing both C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in free agency, don't be surprised to see the Jets add another tight end in the draft. The fourth or fifth round seems like the sweet spot.

Virginia's Jelani Woods would be an exciting Day 3 pick and someone with the upside to develop into a real weapon in the Jets' offense. Standing at a massive 6-foot-7, 259 pounds, Woods is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

A former high school quarterback, Woods is a good athlete for a player his size and a capable in-line blocker, who should only get better in that area of his game.

He's underdeveloped as a tight end given that he's only been playing the position for a few years, but if you're looking for an enticing high-upside tight end prospect on Day 3 (if he makes it that far), you aren't going to do any better than Jelani Woods.

Round 5, 146th Overall, NY Jets: Josh Paschal, EDGE, Kentucky

Robert Saleh very much abides by the philosophy that you can never have too much defensive line depth. That's why we added our third defensive lineman of this draft class in the form of Kentucky's Josh Paschal.

Paschal just looks and acts like a Joe Douglas draft pick. At 6-foot-2, 268 pounds, Paschal is a versatile player with a relentless motor and someone who earned a reputation as a leader on and off the field at Kentucky.

The Maryland native is the only three-time full-season captain in program history and a highly-regarded, high-character defensive leader.

On the field, Paschal is a bit of a tweener and would fit best in a John Franklin-Myers/Solomon Thomas role. In fact, The Draft Network's Kyle Crabbs listed Franklin-Myers as his pro comparison.

His 2021 tape is much better than his 2020 tape, and if the Jets get that version of Paschal, they should be able to land a player who can contribute early and often in their defensive line rotation.

Round 5, 163rd Overall, NY Jets: James Empey, C, BYU

The Jets have made building around Zach Wilson a priority this offseason, and what better way to continue that process than by adding his former college center?

James Empey is a Day 3 center prospect who could ideally be groomed to take over for Connor McGovern at some point in the future. A four-year starter at BYU, injuries prevented Empey from reaching his ceiling in college.

At 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, Empey is a technically sound center prospect with an NFL-ready skill set. However, his ceiling is undoubtedly capped by his limited athleticism and the fact that he's already 25-years-old.

The Jets could use some more offensive line depth, and it sure would be fun to reunite Wilson with his former center at BYU.