Taking Flight, Part Two: Grading the Rest of the Class

Breece Hall. Photo Credit: Peter G. Aiken / Getty Images.

Following my exclusive coverage on the Jets three first round picks, here's my take and recap on the rest of the Jets 2022 draft class.

Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

Most had Breece rated as the best running back, but I had Kenneth Walker, III rated as first, then Breece as a close second. An All Big 12 and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year two consecutive years, Breece was a touchdown machine at Iowa State, leading the nation in rushing in 2020 (1,572 yards) and 21 touchdowns, and was 7th last year with 1,472 yards and 21 touchdowns, which tied for third. He set an FBS record with 24 straight games with a touchdown.

His paced running style and versatility will be a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme that the Jets use, and I think Hall with (Michael) Carter in the backfield will be a nightmare for defenses for years to come.

Grade: A+

Jeremy Ruckert (88). Photo Credit: Kyle Robertson/ Columbus Dispatch/ USA Today.

Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State

Getting back to that third round pick, he selected Jeremy Ruckert, a tight end from Ohio State. I found this one to be a head-scratcher, not because of the player himself because there's a lot to like about his game and attitude. Ruckert was considered the top TE in his class on some boards, he was on an offense that was - and still is - loaded with wide receivers, so not a lot of passes were thrown his way, but he made the most of the ones that came his way. He's a consummate teammate, willing to contribute in other areas, willing to sacrifice personal numbers for the sake of the team.

The problem I had with the pick is that they acquired two productive tight ends in free agency in CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, who came off career years, plus, I was hoping that would've addressed the linebacker spot with that pick.

Grade: C

Max Mitchell (74). Photo Credit: John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Max Mitchell, OL, Louisiana

I like the Max Mitchell pick, an offensive lineman from Louisiana University. Seen more as a project, he provides needed depth and versatility at the position - he can play both tackle spots and left guard - which I was hoping Douglas addressed given the constant injuries at the position last season.

Grade: B+

Micheal Clemons (2). Photo Credit: Stephen Lew/ USA Today.

Micheal Clemons, DE, Texas A&M

Last, but not least, he selected Micheal Clemons, defensive end from Texas A&M. From what I've seen from him, he's not the most athletic or agile player, but he's consistent, productive, and plays with a violent streak, which fits right in with the Jets defensive scheme. Some questioned this pick, and there was an off-field issue, which is understandably a concern, and hopefully he's learned from it, and it won't happen again, but outside of that, to me, you can never have enough pass rushers.

Grade: B

Although there were some other players I had in mind - no disrespect to the guys they selected - I think, for the most part, Joe nailed this draft. The only thing that kept me from giving this draft an A+ is picking a tight end when they have a more pressing need at linebacker. Overall, I think he picked a group of guys that will be a major part in turning this team around. Let's get it!

Overall Grade: A

Awesome Sauce: Grading the New York Jets' First Round Picks

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner.

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

With the 4th overall pick, the Jets selected cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, who was considered by most the best cornerback during the pre-draft process, but surprising to most, fellow cornerback Derek Stingley, Jr., one whose name started to rise on draft charts was taken one spot ahead of him by the Houston Texans.

At 6-2, weighing around 190 pounds, he has pretty good size for a cornerback, he’s physical, and thrives in man coverage. He never gave up a touchdown in his collegiate career, which is not an easy task. Some will argue that the conference his team played in wasn’t as competitive as say, the SEC—which I think is part of the reason why Stingley, Jr., who played at LSU (an SEC college) went before him—but to me, I think that argument is overblown sometimes. 

Gardner (1, in the white uniform). Photo Credit: Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

If a person can play, they can play, it doesn't (always) matter what conference they came from. To me, aside from quarterback, cornerback is the hardest position to play in football and to never give up a touchdown is an amazing feat, regardless of what level of football. 

Going back to the conference competition argument, Jerry Rice came from Mississippi Valley State, a small college, and he turned out to be a Hall-of-Famer, and in my opinion, the best receiver I’ve ever seen play. As I mentioned in the above paragraph, sometimes, if a person can play, they play, where they played doesn’t always matter.

Now, him being able to keep that streak of not giving up a touchdown in the pros will be a tall freaking task, but some of the best to ever play the position got beat at times. It happens. The thing is you don’t want it to happen often. However, he strikes me as the type who has the confidence to bounce back and won’t allow adversity to affect him. 

Overall, I think the Jets found a gem in Gardner. Honestly, I wanted Kayvon Thibodeaux (who was picked after Gardner 5th overall by the Giants), but I like the pick, nonetheless. The only glaring knock on him was he can be too aggressive, but time and discipline will remedy some of that. I don't want him to lose his aggressive edge altogether, but be smart about it at the same time. Of course, it’s too soon to determine, but I think the Jets might have drafted one of the greatest to ever play the position.

Grade: A

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

With the 10th overall pick, the Jets selected wide receiver Garrett Wilson from Ohio State. I honestly thought he would go to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8, but when he didn’t, I knew exactly where he was going. I said his name before (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell officially announced it at the podium. This wasn’t the last time I said someone’s name before Goodell officially announced it.

I think the Jets could use another guy, particularly a playmaker, at that spot, but I don’t think they were “needy” at that spot as a lot of people claimed. There’s Corey Davis, an up-and-coming Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios proved to be productive in the receiving and return game. So while one more guy doesn’t hurt, I don’t think they desperately needed someone at that position.

I was a bigger fan of Chris Olave (his former teammate who went to the New Orleans Saints at No. 11), however, most considered Wilson the best receiver in this year’s class. I think he has decent height at 6-1, a light frame, but he plays bigger than his size at times. Also known for his acrobatic-type athleticism, he has a penchant for the catching the ball away from his body in some of the most unusual ways. This drew one commentator to compare him to Hall-of-Famer Lynn Swann.

Overall, I like the pick. He’s a dynamic playmaker, and to an extent, you can never have enough playmakers. I think the chemistry between Garrett Wilson and (Jets quarterback) Zach Wilson will be fun to watch.

Grade: A

Jermaine Johnson, II. Photo courtesy of seminoles.com.

Jermaine Johnson, II, DE, Florida State

With their two picks selected, I thought they were done for the night, but after a while I left, came back and noticed the Jets were on the clock at No. 26. When I noticed that Jermaine was still on the board, I said his name before Goodell officially announced it.

What stands out to me with this move is the shrewdness of (Jets GM) Joe Douglas. In most cases, when you trade back into the first round, 9 times out of 10 you’re going to give up a first round pick for next year, but he didn’t. All he gave up was a second, a third, and a fifth, while getting a third in return. Who he picked with that third I’ll discuss in the next post.

Jermaine was someone the Jets coveted—obviously, they traded back into the first round to get him. From my understanding, he was between a top 5-10 prospect on some boards. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a First-Team All-ACC. Since Douglas didn’t draft Thibodeaux, I consider this a rebound move, a good rebound, by the way.

Jermaine’s speed, aggression, and ferocity will fit right in with (Jets head coach) Robert Saleh’s system that demands a lot of the defensive lineman.

Grade: A+