5 players Jets should draft in the first round

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets looks on from the side line during the third quarter fo the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 06: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during the first quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 06, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets are in position to dominate the NFL Draft and these five players could be excellent fits for Robert Saleh’s team in 2022.

It may seem odd to describe the New York Jets as potential kingmakers in any context but the franchise is in position to rule the NFL Draft. A litany of savvy trades by GM Joe Douglas has given the Jets the most valuable collection of picks entering the 2022 draft, including a pair of first-round picks that landed inside the Top 10.

That is fantastic news for New York, which has a lot of holes to fill and can use those picks to either select potential franchise building blocks or deal them for more picks to increase their arsenal for this year and beyond. While the Jets’ free-agency plans will impact a lot of what they do in the draft, here are five players that could be good fits for New York in the first round.

5. Players the New York Jets should draft in Round 1 – Kayvon Thibodeaux

There is no question that one of the biggest needs for the Jets is getting better production from their pass rushers. New York hasn’t had a true threat off the edge since trading John Abraham back in 2005 despite spending a ton of free-agent dollars and high draft picks to attempt to solve this problem.

The latest solution appeared to be Carl Lawson, who was flashing in training camp after coming over from the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency before he tore his Achilles’ tendon and missed the entire 2021 season. A healthy return from Lawson would be a big boost for the Jets’ defense but the potential of adding an elite edge rusher with the fourth pick would make New York’s defensive line a terrifying group that could rival the Sack Exchange.

The best edge rusher who could be available for the Jets at No. 4 is Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has excellent potential and is in play for the Jaguars with the top overall pick in the draft. If Thibodeaux does slip past the top three teams in the draft you can bet that Douglas will have the Jets’ card turned into the podium faster than Thibodeaux can beat an elite tackle around the edge.

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