NY Jets add star EDGE and OT in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

The NY Jets are less than two weeks away from the start of free agency, which means we're one step closer to having a better idea of what their 2022 NFL Draft class might look like.

It's always difficult to project mock drafts without first knowing the moves a team will make in free agency, but that just adds more flexibility on our end. The possibilities are limitless!

This week's mock draft operates under the assumption that the Jets were aggressive in their pursuit of the offensive line and secondary in free agency. Ideally, the Jets would have come away with a starting right guard and a possible No. 1 cornerback in this scenario.

With that being said, let's take a look at the results of our latest seven-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft with the help of The Draft Network's Mock Machine.

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

If the Jets are able to address the offensive line in free agency with a player like James Daniels, my No. 1 target with this pick becomes Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, assuming Aidan Hutchinson is off the board.

Thibodeaux is a premier pass-rusher prospect with the athletic tools to become an All-Pro at the next level. While not quite on the level of someone like Nick Bosa, Thibodeaux has an explosive first step and plays with a relentless motor and a high football IQ.

Concerns of his work ethic reek are reminiscent of similar things that were said about fellow Oregon product Justin Herbert prior to the draft. That's to say that there's no concrete basis to any of them.

If the Jets have the chance to add a true star pass rusher at this spot, I don't think they pass. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a Robert Saleh dream come true.

Round 1, 10th Overall, NY Jets: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

I didn't plan to go offensive line with this pick, but with Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross still on the board, the opportunity was too appealing to pass.

Cross might be the best pure pass-blocking left tackle in this draft class. He's an athletic wonder who ran an official 4.95 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Cross would be a perfect fit in a zone-blocking scheme like the Jets that would allow him to maximize his mobility.

While I don't think he'll ever be a truly dominant run blocker, his refinement as a pass protector is more than enough to see him drafted in the top-10.

The Jets would face a predicament with Mekhi Becton and George Fant already under contract, but ideally, the long-term plan would be to have Cross and Becton as your tackle duo of the future. Having too many good tackles is never a bad thing, especially with Becton's health concerns.

Round 2, 35th Overall, NY Jets: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

It would be a surprise to see Chris Olave fall out of the first round entirely, but with so many talented wide receivers in this draft class, it's not out of the realm of possibility. One of these receivers is going to fall.

And they might just fall into the Jets' laps at the top of Round 2. Pairing Olave with the likes of Elijah Moore and Corey Davis would give the Jets a very appealing wide receiver trio to surround Zach Wilson with.

Olave is probably the smoothest route-runner in this year's class, and a player who also possesses blazing speed to boot. The Ohio State product ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and that speed absolutely shows up on tape.

Olave is an NFL-ready receiver who should instantly make an impact in any offense. The Jets would be landing a steal here on Day 2.

Round 2, 38th Overall, NY Jets: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

The Jets are going to be heavily involved in the safety market this offseason and will realistically be looking for two new starters. Expect the team to target the position in free agency, but that doesn't mean the draft will be off-limits.

While Kyle Hamilton seems unlikely, a player like Daxton Hill makes a ton of sense for the Jets at the top of Round 2. Hill was a swiss army knife for the Wolverines playing all over in former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald's defense.

Hill's best work came when aligned as a single-high safety or when he lined up in the slot as he was able to show off his instincts as well as his competitive nature.

Robert Saleh's defenses have loved to utilize interchangeable, versatile safeties in the past and Hill could give the Jets exactly that. He's a day-one starter at a major position of need.

Round 3, 69th Overall, NY Jets: Cade Otton, TE, Washington

Cade Otton hasn't gotten as much press as some of the other top tight ends in this class. He doesn't have the production of Trey McBride, the athleticism of Isaiah Likely, or the highlight-reel catches that Jeremy Ruckert has.

However, Otton would be an excellent fit in the Jets' offensive scheme and could prove to be one of the most productive tight ends in this class. He's a prime candidate to be a better NFL player than he was in college.

Otton comes from a Washington scheme that demands their tight ends know how to block. He's an experienced in-line blocker with good route-running skills and underrated athleticism.

Ideally, the Jets would pair Otton with a veteran in free agency to give the team their best tight end room in years.

Round 4, 109th Overall, NY Jets: Alec Lindstrom, C, Boston College

Even assuming the Jets sign a guard in free agency, they would still benefit from bolstering their interior offensive line. A player like Alec Lindstrom would help solidify the future of the unit.

Lindstrom comes from a successful NFL bloodline as his brother, Chris, is a former first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons. While Alec Lindstrom might not be drafted as early as his brother, he's still someone who could carve out a career in the NFL.

The Boston College product is a technically-sound center prospect who lacks elite physical traits but makes up for it with experience and a high football IQ.

He's likely a center-exclusive prospect at the next level and could ideally take over for Connor McGovern in 2023 with the veteran's contract set to expire at the end of the season.

NY Jets land Kayvon Thibodeaux and a star WR in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

Round 4, 115th Overall, NY Jets: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati

I think it's more likely the Jets make an aggressive move for a cornerback in free agency which is why we waited as long as we did here. The Jets are looking for a true No. 1, but it never hurts to add more depth to the room.

Cincinnati's Coby Bryant has the traits and tools necessary to develop into a long-term starter at the position. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Bryant has excellent length and ball skills.

The Jets like Bryce Hall, but they're looking for a more physically-gifted cornerback who can make plays on the ball and create turnovers. Bryant would give them just that.

On top of that, he has four years of starting experience and was beloved at Cincinnati for his on and off-field leadership. A perfect target for Joe Douglas and the Jets.

Round 5, 145th Overall, NY Jets: Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida

The Jets could look to add further depth to their backfield, and a player like Dameon Pierce has exactly the skill set they're probably looking for.

Ideally, the Jets want a player who can complement Michael Carter and serve as more of a short-yardage, between-the-tackles runner. Pierce could absolutely fill that role in the Jets' offense.

At 5-foot-10, 215 pounds, Pierce is a tough, physical runner with a thick lower half that makes him difficult to tackle on first contact. He lacks elite speed or athleticism, but that shouldn't prevent him from carving out a role with the Jets.

A duo of Carter and Pierce would be fun to watch, but certainly not fun for opposing defenders. Good luck tackling either of them on first contact.

Round 5, 162nd Overall, NY Jets: Eyioma Uwazurike, DT, Iowa State

One of the more underrated needs for the Jets this offseason is at defensive tackle. With Folorunso Fatukasi seemingly likely to depart in free agency, the Jets need to add players to beef up the interior of their defensive line.

Iowa State's Eyioma Uwazurike could be an intriguing target on Day 3 of the draft. Uwazurike was one of the standouts from the East-West Shrine Bowl as his impressive size was on display for NFL scouts.

He's one of the older prospects in this year's draft at 23-years-old (he turns 24 in May), but Uwazurike has an NFL-ready skill set with the size (at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds) to intrigue a team like the Jets.

Robert Saleh loves to have deep defensive line rotations which is why it wouldn't be surprising at all to see the Jets address the position at least once during the draft. Uwazurike makes sense at this spot.