Joe Douglas is known for is savvy trades and his stellar 2022 draft class sweeping both the offensive and defensive rookie of the year awards with Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner respectively.

With most of the headlines for the Jets 2023 offseason centered around the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, it may be easy to forget the Jets 2023 draft class. And according to most experts, it was an easily forgotten one.

While most off seasons for Jets fans are centered around whatever top 10 pick they just drafted (the Jets selected in the top 10 six of the last nine years), the fact that the Jets acquired arguably one of the best QB’s in history and got the deal done during draft week left this year’s draft class on the back burner.

Rene Bugner, who covers the NFL in Germany, put together a chart detailing the draft grades for every team given by 29 of the top NFL media members who cover the NFL Draft. The Jets, who are normally the darlings of these post draft NFL grades, did not fare so well this year.

???‍? I´ve compiled 29 evaluations of the 2023 NFL draft and totaled the team grades.
Here is the spreadsheet. Sorted by GPA for all 32 teams.
I also sorted the 29 evaluations by GPA. From left (soft graders) to right (hard graders).
Thanks to all who give out grades every year! pic.twitter.com/lEvqCkViCT

— René Bugner (@RNBWCV) May 25, 2023

The Jets finished 24^th out of the 32 teams with a GPA of 2.54. Looking across the grades, the class was dragged down by a “D” from the Sporting News and a “D+” from the Fantasy Pros. The highest grade the Jets received was an “A” from Evan Silvia from “Establish the Run”. Most of the grades fell between a “B” and a “C-“. The Jets also received an “A-“ from USA Today.

Looking at the draft class, it should be no shock that the Jets did not get what they wanted in first round pick Will McDonald IV out of Iowa State. Everyone, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, knew the Jets were looking to upgrade the offensive line at 15 and the Jets didn’t get the opportunity.

While McDonald certainly has the natural physical tools to rush the passer, according to Dane Bruger of the Athletic, McDonald was the 8^th best edge rusher in the class and was projected to be a 2^nd round pick. 

Bruger says of McDonald “Overall, McDonald is more toolsy than seasoned and might never become the sum of his parts, but his natural length, flexibility and explosiveness are an enticing combination. He projects as a subpackage pass rusher as an NFL rookie with the potential to be more down the road.”

McDonald remains unsigned as we enter July, but this is nothing for the Jets who often are one of the last teams to sign their top draft picks.

The Jets second round pick is going to be the most important selection of the draft. Center Joe Tippmann out of Wisconsin was the highest rated center on most draft boards and a guy that will likely win a starting spot for week 1 on the Jets offensive line either at center or guard.

The Jets next selections came on day three when they took Carter Warren out of Pitt in the 4^th round. Warren was not the OT the Jets wanted to walk away from this draft with, but nonetheless, he is the one they got. 

Bruger had Warren as the ninth best OT in the class saying “Warren’s average athletic profile and timing might keep him from being a steady NFL starter, but he has a ready-made frame with long arms, body control and play strength in his pass sets. He has the tools to carve out a swing tackle role.” The fact that Warren is already 25 puts a ticking clock on his time to develop into an impact player.

Apart from McDonald in obvious passing situations and Tippmann, the other rookie we might see on the field for something outside of special teams is running back Izzy Abanikanda, also out of Pitt. While he has a lot to develop in his receiving and blocking, this kid could be a touchdown every time he touches the ball. He won’t be a bell cow running back but he is certainly a weapon the Jets can use.

The Jets finished their draft with linebacker Zaire Barnes out of Western Michigan, LSU DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse and finally tight end Zack Kuntz out of Old Dominion. It is likely that all three of these guys will have minimal impact outside of special teams in their first season if they are even on the team after training camp.

The grade the Jets were given was fitting the haul of players they acquired. Outside of Tippmann, the Jets only wound up with situational players and project players. Any grade given to the Jets above a C+ by any of the media members was a gift, or they were simply riding high from the Aaron Rodgers news when they handed out the grade.

This isn’t to say that the Jets bombed the draft, there will just be very little impact on the 2023 New York Jets from the 2023 draft.

Featured Image via Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports