NY Jets land star EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

With just a few weeks remaining in the 2021 season, the NY Jets are very much looking ahead to the offseason where they will continue to rebuild a roster that still needs plenty of work.

Injuries have certainly played a factor this season, but it's safe to say that the Jets still have one of the weakest rosters in the NFL. Fortunately, they'll once again have plenty of draft capital to help improve the team.

We've done a few mock drafts so far here at The Jet Press, but for the first time, we decided to use a different mock simulator. With the help of Pro Football Network's mock simulator, we ran through one possible scenario for the Jets' draft this offseason.

Please note that this draft order is as of Friday night so the results of Week 16 games will not be factored in. Even writers deserve Christmas off.

With that, let's take a look at the results.

Round 1, 4th Overall, NY Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

This is a dream scenario for the Jets who still have the fourth overall pick as of Friday night. I didn't go into this mock expecting Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux to be available at this spot, but I certainly wasn't going to pass on him either.

Thibodeaux is one of the best pass-rusher prospects we've seen enter the NFL in years and easily a top-five player at any position in this class. With freakish athleticism and All-Pro upside, Thibodeaux has a chance to transform the Jets' defense.

A returning Carl Lawson can pair with Thibodeaux to give the Jets one of the most feared pass-rushes in the NFL as Robert Saleh looks to rebuild the defensive line he had in San Francisco.

If Kayvon Thibodeaux is on the board when the Jets pick, expect Saleh and Joe Douglas to run to the podium with this selection.

Round 1, 7th Overall, NY Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Once again, this is a DREAM scenario for Gang Green. Some mocks have Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal going as high as the top-three, but we managed to snag him here with the seventh overall selection.

Neal is a behemoth of a human being measuring in at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds. He has experience playing both tackle spots as well as guard and could realistically start for the Jets at all three offensive line positions.

Mekhi Becton's injury concerns should force the Jets to stack up on offensive tackle depth this offseason. And even if one or both of George Fant and Morgan Moses return, Neal should still be the pick.

Neal could step in as a day-one starter at right tackle or even right guard if the Jets want to go in that direction. As an added bonus, he's extra insurance for Becton at left tackle. He and Thibodeaux give the Jets a home-run duo at the top of Round 1.

Round 2, 35th Overall, NY Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Three picks, three players who I don't expect to be available at their selected spots. But hey, I wasn't going to pass on another top prospect here at the beginning of Round 2.

Cincinnati's Ahmad Gardner is one of the best cornerbacks in an absolutely loaded cornerback class. At 6-foot-2, 188 pounds, Gardner combines excellent size with stellar athleticism to give him perhaps the best athletic profile in this draft class.

Nicknamed "Sauce," Gardner thrives in zone coverage and could be a perfect fit in Robert Saleh's zone-heavy defense. The Jets could go into the 2022 season with a pair of legitimate young talents at the cornerback position in Gardner and Bryce Hall.

The Jets manage to draft three first-round talents for the second year in a row.

Round 2, 39th Overall, NY Jets: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

I considered going wide receiver a little earlier, even considering a trade-down with the seventh overall pick. But ultimately, the Jets still came away with an exciting wide receiver prospect here early in Round 2.

Penn State's Jahan Dotson is one of the most explosive players in this class clocking in at a 4.33 40-yard dash in the offseason. Dotson has elite body control and is one of the best in the country at tracking passes downfield.

While he lacks elite size, he projects similar to a player like Elijah Moore who not only thrives with the ball in his hands, but can stretch the field and take the top off opposing defenses.

Dotson can join Moore and Corey Davis to give the Jets a talented trio of receivers heading into 2022.

Round 3, 68th Overall, NY Jets: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

The Jets absolutely need to address the tight end position in the offseason, and while they very well might turn to free agency in order to do so, it would make sense to snag one in the draft as well.

Colorado State's Trey McBride is in the conversation to be TE1 in this class thanks in part to an incredibly productive senior season. McBride finished his senior year with a ridiculous 86 catches for 1,017 yards in just 11 games.

He was Colorado State's offense hauling in six or more catches in every game the team played this season. And at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, he's far from a liability as a blocker either.

Given the importance of the tight end in the Jets' offense, I'd expect them to target someone who can double as both a capable pass-catcher and blocker. Trey McBride fits that profile.

Round 4, 109th Overall, NY Jets: Verone McKinley, S, Oregon

Another position that rivals tight end for the weakest on the roster is safety. It's unclear if there is a single safety on the Jets roster who will be counted on to fill a prominent role in 2022.

Even if they address the position in free agency (which they likely will), it would make sense to also turn to the 2022 NFL Draft as well. Oregon's Verone McKinley could be a day-one starter that they don't have to draft on Day 1.

McKinley is a true center-field safety who possesses the range and instincts to be a real difference-maker in the Jets' defense. In reality, I was surprised he was still available at this spot.

After adding Kayvon Thibodeaux in the first round, the Jets draft another Oregon defensive player here in Round 4.

Round 4, 121st Overall, NY Jets: Damone Clark, LB, LSU

Another position the Jets will need to address in someway this offseason is linebacker. While C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams will likely stick around in 2022, the position is still a weak spot on the defense.

Someone like LSU's Damone Clark fits the mold of what the Jets are looking for at linebacker. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Clark is a little bigger than a typical Robert Saleh linebacker, but he has the sideline-to-sideline speed necessary to excel in the Jets' defense.

A highly-touted recruit, Clark originally failed to live up to expectations at LSU before a breakout senior season saw him emerge as one of their best players. In 12 games, Clark managed a whopping 135 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

He finished second in the FBS in total tackles and more than held his own in coverage. Clark could be a perfect linebacker target on Day 2 or 3 for the Jets.

Round 5, 146th Overall, NY Jets: Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State

The Jets seem to have found their running back of the future in Michael Carter, but that doesn't mean they won't address the position again this offseason. The team is still in need of a powerful, between-the-tackles runner who can sub-in in goal-line situations.

Fortunately, we managed to snag one here in the fifth round in the form of Arizona State's Rachaad White. White stands at a hefty 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and pairs his powerful legs with surprising agility and athleticism.

While he lacks breakaway speed, White is an elusive runner who seemingly never goes down on first contact. On top of that, he was one of the most productive pass-catching backs in the league last season.

In a relatively deep (but not top-heavy) running back class, don't overlook a player like Rachaad White.

Round 5, 159th Overall, NY Jets: Dohnovan West, OG/C, Arizona State

After drafting Alabama's Evan Neal in the first round, the Jets use their final pick on another Arizona State prospect, offensive lineman Dohnovan West.

West is one of the more versatile interior offensive linemen in this year's class with experience playing both guard spots as well as center. He's a little undersized at just 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, but he makes up for it with ample mobility and athleticism.

West struggled a bit at center in 2021 and looks more comfortable as a guard, although his lack of size might lead to some teams overlooking him. But the Jets prefer nimble, athletic offensive linemen and West fits that profile.

He can serve as a quality developmental project who could ideally take over as the right guard of the future down the line.