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

Round 2, 38th Overall, NY Jets: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut

You could definitely argue that this is a little early for Travis Jones, and I don't think I'd disagree. But I also know how much Robert Saleh values defensive tackle depth and how thin the team is at that spot right now.

Jones is one of the best Folorunso Fatukasi replacements the Jets are going to find in this draft. At 6-foot-4, 325-pounds, Jones is ideally a 1-technique/nose tackle who's stout in run defense and possesses significantly more pass-rush upside than someone like Fatukasi.

And unlike Fatukasi, his athleticism should allow him to fit perfectly in the Jets' attacking 4-3 scheme. He's a day-one starter who should provide a major boost to a Jets' run defense that's desperately in need of it.

I wasn't confident that he'd be available in the third round, and given the drop-off behind him, it made sense to take him here. Jones is going to be a stud.

Round 3, 69th Overall, NY Jets: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State

The Jets still see offensive tackle as a need, and while I would be mildly surprised to see them draft a tackle in the first round, it's absolutely something that's in play on Day 2.

Ohio State's Nicholas Petit-Frere is a perfect Day 2 target who wouldn't necessarily be asked to start right away. He is someone who would provide much-needed depth at both left and right tackle while possessing the upside to start as early as 2023.

Petit-Frere has experience playing both tackle spots, although his high athletic ceiling and ideal length probably make him a better fit at left tackle. He thrived in a zone-heavy Ohio State offense that allowed him to maximize his athletic traits.

If the Jets are looking for a Day 2 offensive tackle who can provide both depth and short/long-term starting upside, they probably aren't going to do better than Petit-Frere.