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2023 NFL Draft: Instant Analysis and Grades for Every Team’s Picks

By Sayre Bedinger

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL Draft
2023 NFL Draft; Former Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald finishes a run as NFL scouts watch during a drill in the university’s football Pro-Day at the Bergstrom Indoor Football Complex Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. /

New York Jets

  • 15. Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
  • 43. Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
  • 120. Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh
  • 143. Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
  • 184. Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan
  • 204. Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB, LSU
  • 220. Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

The New York Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers.

That’s it. That’s the review.

In the days leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, the fortunes of the New York Jets officially and emphatically changed with the addition of the four-time MVP. Rodgers’ inclusion in the Jets’ lineup immediately legitimizes this operation and they were already creeping into the top 10 teams of our power rankings last season when Zach Wilson was starting.

That’s just how good Robert Saleh is at scheming defense and making up for his offense’s mistakes. We saw him do that so well when the 49ers were going through tough times injury-wise at QB, and we have seen him do it with the Jets. Now, he’s got a four-time MVP under center.

So why not treat yourself with Will McDonald IV? I get it. The tackles were off the board. If the value isn’t there to protect the QB, find someone who can get after the other team’s QB. Right?

The Jets could have taken Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which I think they should have done, but I’m not going to ding them too much for that.

Getting Joe Tippmann and Carter Warren gives New York some much-needed depth on the offensive line both on the interior and at tackle. Tippmann was considered arguably the best center in this draft by some.

On Day 3, the pick of Zack Kuntz in round seven looks like one that could pay dividends. This guy is a ridiculous athletic specimen, a 10/10 on the RAS scale. We’ll see if he can crack the Jets’ roster and make an impact.

Overall, you can’t grade this draft without Aaron Rodgers context, and I think the Jets did okay. They could have gotten an A from me if they’d taken Smith-Njigba.

Grade: C+

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