On Monday, the Jets re-signed veteran center Connon McGovern to a one-year, $1.915 million contract, including a $750,000 signing bonus.
Four days later, Gang Green drafted . At No. 43 overall, the Jets selected Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann.
Last season for the Badgers, Tippmann played in 12 games as he registered the offensive line’s best run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus (78.0). He also only allowed one sack and five pressures during 338 passing snaps.
“It was a surreal feeling,” Tippmann said from his home in Indiana about receiving the call from the Jets. “Being able to be there surrounded by my family in that environment and to be able to be accepted into such a great environment that is the Jets.
At 6-6, 313 pounds, Tippmann is what many would consider a mauler inside. Although he is taller than most centers around the league, Tippmann has a lot of athleticism for a man his size, as he can bend and move fluidly at the point of attack.
After playing tackle in high school, Tippmann started at Wisconsin as a guard/tackle hybrid. After redshirting his first year with the Badgers and playing primarily on the scout team, he began competing for playing time.
In the summer leading up to the 2021 season, Wisconsin coaches told him they wanted him to take the starting center position. After competing for the role, Tippman won the role and didn’t look back he started 22 games during the next two years.
“I’m a physical, dominate player, athletic as well,” Tippmann said. “Someone that’s hopefully able to get out and pull.
“For the Jets, first thing’s first, I need to earn the trust and the respect of the rest of my teammates before anything.
While at Wisconsin, Tippmann often received praise for his intelligence and communication with the offense. Often with the Badgers, Tippman used that excellent football IQ to make audibles and adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
The Jets invited Tippmann in for a top-30 visit during the pre-draft process. Tippmann was often largely considered the No. 2 center on draft boards, but the Jets selected him over John Michael Schmitz, who was chosen by the Giants at 57th overall.
“Excellent size, excellent feet, he can bend,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said about Tippmann. “Great on the move.
“I feel like he’s a natural fit for our offensive scheme and style. He’s a guy that’s only played center at his size, 6-6, 300 pounds, his athleticism, he provide a lot of versatility to our interior, which has been a hallmark of our interior.
“Just fired up to have him.”
The Jets did re-sign McGovern, but that doesn’t mean he will be the team’s starting center in September. He is only on a short-term deal and Tippmann provides a lot of upside with his ability to stop rushers in the A-gap and his upper-body power.
Although the Jets are in win-now mode with Aaron Rodgers now on the roster, they have no problem having a rookie center in front of him.
“You guys know how we are, everyone is competing,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said to reporters. “It doesn’t matter where you get drafted.
“It’s going to be an open competition.”
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