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

The NY Jets made a pretty sizable splash in free agency this offseason adding impact players on both sides of the ball. The likes of Laken Tomlinson, D.J. Reed, and Jordan Whitehead — among others — will go a long way toward filling some of the most notable holes on the roster.

Still, it's clear that there's still work to be done. Fortunately, the Jets just so happen to possess four top-40 picks and nine picks inside the first five rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.

General manager Joe Douglas has always been someone who abides by the philosophy of building through the draft. He's a former scout who understands that to win in this league, you need to have young core players on rookie contracts.

This year's draft will undoubtedly be crucial for the organization. With the help of The Draft Network's Mock Machine, let's take a look at the results from our first post-free agency 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

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

It seems rather obvious that the Jets will look to add an edge rusher with one of their two first-round picks, and if Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux is still on the board when they pick at No. 4 overall, they shouldn't hesitate.

For as much pre-draft criticism as Thibodeaux has received, it's impossible to ignore how great of a talent he is. At 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, Thibodeaux is an excellent athlete with great bend and explosiveness.

His ceiling is as high as any player in this draft, and when you're drafting in the top-five, you want to base your picks on projection. Thibodeaux projects as a future All-Pro if he continues to develop in the NFL.

Ignore the outside noise about his motor. Ignore the smokescreens being laid by other teams' scouts. Thibodeaux would be a slam-dunk pick at this spot, and he's my personal favorite target for the Jets at four until further notice.

Round 1, 10th Overall, NY Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

The Jets' moves in free agency leave two glaring needs — edge rusher and wide receiver. I'm not sure the value for a wide receiver is here at this spot, but in a mock draft without trades, I was left with no other choice.

Ohio State's Garrett Wilson is one of really 5-6 wide receivers who could be drafted anywhere from pick 10 to pick 40. I don't feel confident waiting and hoping one of them falls to the second round, however, so I made sure to snag Wilson here.

Of all the top wide receivers in this year's draft class, Wilson is probably the best pure scheme fit for the Jets' offense. He's an outstanding YAC receiver who thrives as a do-it-all playmaker on offense, especially when operating out of the slot.

Wilson is a big play waiting to happen and someone who can be extremely dangerous in a Mike LaFleur offense. Is this a little high for him? Perhaps. But the Jets need a wide receiver and he's my favorite option for them.

Round 2, 35th Overall, NY Jets: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State

Even after adding Jordan Whitehead in free agency, the Jets could still double-down on the safety position and target one early in the draft. One player to keep an eye on is Jaquan Brisker.

Brisker would be a perfect complement to the hard-hitting enforcer that Whitehead is. While Whitehead thrives as more of an underneath zone safety and in run support, Brisker fits the profile of a more versatile free safety.

The former Penn State star can successfully lock down opposing tight ends and has experience playing virtually everywhere in the defensive backfield.

His best role is probably in a zone-heavy scheme where he'd be asked to fill the role of a prototypical free safety in a two-high safety system. That's what the Jets are looking for.

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.

Round 4, 111th Overall, NY Jets: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA

The Jets went out and addressed the tight end position in a big way in free agency signing both C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin. Uzomah and Conklin give the Jets the best tight-end duo they've had in a long, long time.

However, their additions don't preclude the team from targeting another tight end in the draft. In fact, I'd say it's almost likely they still do. Greg Dulcich makes sense as a potential Day 3 target.

Dulcich made a name for himself at the NFL Combine putting together a strong performance and flashing his athleticism. While Dulcich is far from the most accomplished in-line blocker, he makes a living as a matchup-nightmare who can make plays in the passing game.

The Jets don't necessarily need to target a tight end who's complete as a blocker with both Uzomah and Conklin under contract. That gives them the flexibility to target a player like Dulcich whose receiving upside is hard to pass up.

2022 NFL Mock Draft: NY Jets fix defense, Jaguars make surprise No. 1 pick

Round 4, 115th Overall, NY Jets: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State

The Jets don't see linebacker as a major need to address this offseason. Don't expect them to use any sort of major asset on the position. But a Day 3 pick of a player who fits the profile they're looking for? Absolutely, that's certainly not out of the question.

Brandon Smith is next in a long line of incredibly athletically-gifted linebackers to come out of Penn State in recent years. Following in the footsteps of Micah Parsons, Smith was once clocked at running a 4.38 40-yard dash as a high school recruit.

He's since put on more weight as he now stands at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, but he still managed to run a 4.57 40-yard dash at the Combine — the fourth-highest among all linebackers.

Athletically, Smith is everything teams want in a linebacker. It's the other stuff that needs cleaning up. He's a work in progress and someone who probably won't reach his ceiling until year three or four, but he's also a player I would love to see Robert Saleh work with.

Perhaps the Jets feel the same way.

Round 5, 146th Overall, NY Jets: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati

After adding D.J. Reed in free agency, the Jets probably won't look to draft a cornerback early. It's not off the table, but it's certainly less likely at this stage.

One player they could target a little later, however, is Coby Bryant. Bryant is one of the more unheralded cornerbacks prospects in this year's class and someone I've mocked to the Jets on numerous occasions.

He has the size at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, the length, and the ball skills to develop into a rock-solid starting-caliber cornerback. While he isn't exactly a great tackler, Bryant's physical traits and super ball skills give him an excellent foundation to build upon.

I'm skeptical that he'll ever become a true No. 1 corner, but Bryant has the traits and talent needed to compete for a starting job early in his career. More young cornerback depth for the Jets.

Round 5, 163rd Overall, NY Jets: Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada

The Jets seem to prefer targeting younger wide receivers who can grow with Zach Wilson. That's why even after adding Garrett Wilson in the first round, it made sense to double-up at the position.

Nevada's Romeo Doubs is a very different type of receiver than Wilson. Doubs thrives as a downfield, vertical threat using his size and speed to take the top off opposing defenses.

At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Doubs is one of the best pure deep threats in this draft, and while he isn't exactly the most refined route-runner out there, he doesn't have to be just yet.

The Jets need a player who can add a vertical element to their offense. That's all Doubs would be asked to do early in his career while he continues to develop the other parts of his game. His speed alonewould be a game-changer.