This week, NFL coaches, scouts, agents and college players will descend for the NFL Scouting Combine.
The nation’s best collegiate players will hope to improve their draft stock, while NFL teams will search for stars to help their team.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah spoke with reporters on a conference call about each team’s projections ahead of the combine. Jeremiah believes Georgia tackle Broderick Jones would be an excellent fit for the Jets at 13th overall.
“When you look at Broderick Jones, I think his best football is still ahead of him,” Jeremiah said. “He is incredibly strong, he is incredibly athletic. What he can do in the second-level stuff and the run game as well as in the screen game, is outstanding.
“He sets a little bit of a unique set where he sets a little bit flat, so there are times where guys can get upfield on him, but then he shows you the ability to recover and hang in there. So, you know, maybe a little top-heavy at times. He gets a little overaggressive.
“He is a pretty physical player, but I think there’s a lot to really like about him. I think he could play either side. I think he could play right tackle. He could play left tackle. That would be — that’s why I had him going there. I think it would be a really good fit.”
It is no secret the Jets second most important question mark this offseason after the quarterback position is their offensive line. Last season, 11 different players started a game on the Jets offensive line.
Gang Green finished 19th in the league in sacks allowed (42). Left tackle remains a significant concern as Duane Brown, who started 12 games for the Jets last year, will be 38 in August and dealt with a shoulder injury all season that kept him out of five games, including the season-finale against the Dolphins.
Also, veteran George Fant will be a free agent coming off a season where he missed time due to a knee injury. Alijah Vera-Tucker, who played at both right and left tackle along at left guard, is returning from a triceps injury.
Gang Green will have former first pick Mekhi Becton return after suffering a season-ending injury during training camp last August. However, the Jets will likely look for some long-term stability at the position as Becton has played one game since his rookie season in 2020 and is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Jones would provide an immediate upgrade at left tackle as he anchored a Bulldogs offensive line that won their second straight national championship last month. He started 19 consecutive games at Georgia dating back to the 2021 season as Jones did not allow a sack during his 15 starts last year.
At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Jones is a former basketball player with incredible quickness and athleticism. Not only is Jones an asset in the run game, but defenders rarely get past him during pass-blocking situations.
The Jets will have five other draft picks spread out during the three days of the NFL Draft, which will be held April 27–29 in Kansas City. Gang Green selected Jeremy Ruckert in the third round of last year’s draft and signed Tyler Conklin and C. J. Uzomah in free agency, but Jeremiah thinks they could use more help at the tight end position.
“I know they signed all those tight ends last year, but I still don’t think they have a real dynamic difference-making tight end,” Jeremiah said. “I think they’ve got some good players, but that would be — that would be something I would be trying to find as well as we’ll see what they’re going to do with the center position going forward. I wouldn’t mind seeing them get one of those young centers in this draft. It’s a pretty good group of interior offensive linemen.
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