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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection

By Christopher Thomas

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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New York Giants, Tyler Linderbaum, 2022 NFL Draft
2022 NFL Mock Draft, Tyler Linderbaum. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

5. New York Jets: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa

The New York Jets would have an interesting decision to make in this scenario picking fifth overall in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. There are a couple of prospects the Jets could add at this point of the draft that could fill a need for them. New York would have their choice between Evan Neal, George Karlaftis, and Tyler Linderbaum. All three are considered elite prospects in this class. But in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Jets go with Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum.

After focusing on the offensive side of the ball last offseason New York is expected to draft heavily on the defensive side of the ball. However, the Jets cannot pass up the opportunity to pass up a prospect like Linderbaum. This season Linderbaum has raised his stock from a potential first-round pick and the best center in the class to a generational center who has been compared to the likes of Quenton Nelson. The Jets know a thing or two about drafting all-time great centers. For a decade New York had a seven-time Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold on their team.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas has put an emphasis on rebuilding this Jets offensive line the right way. In 2020, Douglas drafted Mekhi Becton in the first round. Then the following offseason New York traded up to take Alijah Vera-Tucker in the first round. Both Becton and Vera-Tucker look like home runs. If Douglas is looking to build this offensive line from left to right then Linderbaum would be able to fill their void at center.

The reason the Jets could go Linderbaum over tackle Evan Neal is that their current right tackle Morgan Moses is playing extremely well posting a 69.4 PFF grade this season. New York should prioritize retaining Moses this offseason. If the Jets draft Linderbaum then they could move Connor McGovern to guard. Then from left to right, the Jets’ offensive line would be Becton, Vera-Tucker, Linderbaum, Connor McGovern, and Moses. If the Jets’ offensive line looks like that next season they will easily be one of the best in the NFL next year.

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