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Jets picks and buzz from Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft

SNY
·3 min read
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Sep 10, 2022; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Old Dominion Monarchs tight end Zack Kuntz (80) looks on against the East Carolina Pirates during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Here is the latest on the Jets' picks from the 2023 NFL Draft and buzz surrounding the team...

DAY 3

The Jets acquired picks 120 and 184 from the New England Patriots in exchange for pick 112. They later added picks 204 and 220 from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for pick 170.

Round 4, Pick 120 (from NE)

With the No. 120 pick, the Jets selected tackle Carter Warren from Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-5, 311-pound tackle adds to the Jets' offensive line depth.

Warren started the first four games of the 2022 season at left tackle before suffering a torn meniscus that ended his season.

NFL.com: Warren possesses the size and length that teams are looking for from the tackle position. He plays too upright, which diminishes his effectiveness as a move blocker and in pass protection, but he’s capable in both areas. He can discombobulate pass rushers with well-timed, independent hands that help maximize his length with punching.

Round 5, Pick 143

With the 143rd pick, the Jets selected Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda. The Brooklyn native joins a backfield that already includes Breece Hall, Michael Carter, and Zonovan Knight.

Abanikanda finished tied for the FBS lead with 20 rushing touchdowns last season. He also led the Pitt Panthers with 1,431 rushing yards.

NFL.com: A zone-scheme runner with early down size, Abanikanda can be a bit inconsistent with his reads and tempo early in the run. However, he has plant-and-go agility and is able to snap off cuts at tight angles to elude short-area traffic when needed... Abanikanda isn't much of a third down option, but he does have the size and talent to compete for a RB2/3 slot early on with a chance to move up the depth chart in time.

Round 6, Pick 184 (from NE)

With the 184th pick, the Jets selected LB Zaire Barnes from Western Michigan.

In 12 games last season, Barned led the team with 94 tackles including five for loss. He also had three fumble recoveries, one interception, and was named to the first-team All-MAC in his senior year.

NFL.com: Barnes has NFL size and athletic traits, along with experience playing inside and outside. He has the ability to cover man-to-man and is productive on special teams. He’s not a pure stack-and-shed linebacker and can be a little loose with his technique at times.

Round 6, Pick 204 (from LV)

With the 204th pick, the Jets selected CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse from LSU.

The 6-foot-1 corner played just one year at LSU after transferring from Oklahoma State. In his senior season this past year, Bernard-Converse played 13 games (nine starts) and finished with 44 tackles, five passes defended and a pair of interceptions.

It's also notable that he started seven times at corner and twice as a safety.

NFL.com: Bernard-Converse has spent a majority of his snaps as either an off-man or press-man cornerback, but he’ll likely have to make a switch to safety in order to compete for a roster spot in the future. He’s big and strong, but he needs to become more of a run-through finisher than drag-down tackler.

Round 7, Pick 220 (from LV)

With the 220th pick, the Jets selected tight end Zack Kuntz out of Old Dominion.

In his junior year at Old Dominion, Kuntz started the first five games before suffering a season-ending injury. In limited time, Kuntz made 12 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2021, Kuntz was a First-Team All-Conference USA. made 73 receptions for 692 yards and five touchdowns.

NFL.com: Kuntz is expected to light up the NFL Scouting Combine with his speed and athleticism, but he’s not as fluid on tape as you might expect. He needs to keep filling out his extremely long frame, as he plays more like a big receiver than a tight end.

Undrafted Free Agent Signings

DAY 2

Round 2, Pick 43

With the 43rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Jets selected Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Tippmann.

Listed at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds, Tippmann has good size for a center, and he could step in from Day One and become the team's starter, while also possessing the ability to play guard.

Tippmann might be taller than your average center, but he can also get out on the edge as a puller, leading the way on outside runs.

The Jets had their eye on adding an offensive lineman in the first round, but after a run on tackles happened just before their turn on the clock, Gang Green elected to go defense at No. 15, selecting edge rusher Will McDonald IV out of Iowa State.

While tackle depth behind Duane Brown, Mekhi Becton, and Max Mitchell is still a bit suspect, Tippmann gives Robert Saleh a versatile piece for the entirety of the line in front of Aaron Rodgers.