The Jets got their quarterback.
Now they’ve got their draft picks.
It’s go time.
No more mock drafts. No more wrong predictions. It’s over with.
The Jets got their guys and now can head into the rest of the offseason as they ramp up for training camp in July.
Their new future Hall of Fame QB was out and about in NYC at the Rangers and Knicks games over the weekend.
He’s getting a feel for his new home, and so is the Jets’ first-round pick Will McDonald.
To break down what the Jets did in the 2023 NFL Draft, we bring you a post-draft episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast with Brian Costello and me.
Gang’s All Here Podcast with Jake Brown & Brian Costello:
- WILL MCDONALD: What did we think of the Jets’ surprising pick of McDonald at No. 15 overall? He’s not really for this year, but down the road. The Jets have edge rushers, but a few not under contract past this year. The four top offensive linemen came off the board, so the Jets pivoted. McDonald was their top-ranked player at the edge position. Surprised they didn’t get a receiver instead? They probably are fine at receiver. You can’t go wrong building defensive lines. McDonald is very athletic and versatile as a basketball player too.
- JOE TIPPMANN: Coz believes Tippmann will be the Week 1 starting center. He’s 6-foot-6, which is tall for a center. He’s very athletic and is versatile. Jets love offensive linemen that can play a few different positions. Could see him sliding to guard if the Jets need it. Will be interested to see Aaron Rodgers with a rookie center. Connor McGovern was not paid to be a starter. There will be an open competition, but expect the rookie to win the job.
- MEKHI BECTON: They will not pick up his option. He hasn’t really played since 2020. Coz says Joe Douglas would be fired if they picked up his option for 2024. Becton has been good on social media, but he needs to move to right tackle if the Jets ask him. Duane Brown has played left tackle his whole career. This could be a make-or-break season for Becton. They are probably going to want him to play on the right side. He’s down to 350 pounds. Jets want him around 340.
- REST OF THE JETS DRAFT: They went with two Pittsburgh players in OT Carter Warren and RB Israel Abanikanda. Warren is a depth piece, but a local Paterson, N.J. guy. Abanikanda is another local guy from Brooklyn. Three straight years the Jets drafted a running back. The team is built different from this year. Guys from this area won’t take crap and know what to expect. LB Zaire Barnes will probably be mostly a special teams player and can return kicks. DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse has a ton of experience in college and can play multiple positions as a safety and cornerback. TE Zach Kuntz likely will be a practice squad player first, but he has a big frame and all the physical tools. Jets have three tight ends already, so he probably won’t make the roster immediately. Surprised they didn’t take any defensive linemen. Heavy on edge rushers and thinner on linemen. A little surprised they didn’t take a receiver later in draft.
- RODGERS PRESS CONFERENCE: He was incredible. He did so well and said all the right things. Refreshing to hear him come in and talk about winning a Super Bowl. Haven’t heard a Jet talk like that since Rex Ryan. Jets will have five or six primetime games most likely. They face a lot of good quarterbacks this season. The schedule is tough.
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Catch up on all episodes of “Gang’s All Here,” a New York Jets podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Coz and Jake on Twitter @BrianCoz and @JakeBrownRadio. New episodes of “Gang’s All Here” drop Mondays and Thursdays.