Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (77) prepares to block against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Way-too-early New York Jets NFL Draft preview

By Colum Dell | Last updated 1/10/23

The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City. Here is the projected first-round order, per Tankathon.

2022 record: 7-10 | First-round pick: No. 13 | Team needs: Offensive line, QB

Snapshot: After collapsing in the second half, the Jets find themselves a few pieces shy of being a playoff team. They will have a new starting QB next season, but GM Joe Douglas must bolster the trenches, too.

Potential first-round picks: Peter Skoronski, OT; Northwestern; Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State; Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

According to Pro Football Focus, New York’s OL was the 29th-graded pass-blocking and 26th-graded run-blocking unit this season. The ever-shuffling OL faces a potential overhaul this offseason.

Starters C Connor McGovern and T George Fant will likely hit free agency, and LT Duane Brown could retire. G/T Alijah Vera-Tucker and T Mekhi Becton will return from injury next season, and while Vera-Tucker has proven to be productive, Becton is a wild card.

Northwestern’s Skoronski would be a perfect fit. He was the highest-graded pass blocker in the Big Ten this past year, per PFF.

If the #Bears get an offensive lineman in Round 1 of the 2023 draft, I’d be ecstatic with Northwestern LT Peter Skoronski.

Not sure if he’s a OT or OG at the next level, but his footwork and technique are top notch. Super smart player with athleticism. pic.twitter.com/L3GVuZh09Q
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) May 9, 2022

Ohio State’s Johnson, who has experience playing guard, wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.

While the expectation is that New York will have a veteran starting QB next season, could the raw talent Richardson still be in play? Richardson has a rocket arm and is a dangerous runner, but his accuracy is terrible. He only completed 53.8% of his passes this season, throwing nine interceptions.

A rebuilding team might not be willing to risk its future on such a project, but the Jets and their near-playoff-caliber roster could be a solid fit. If Richardson were to pan out, it could open a long-term window for the Jets to compete.

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