Yes, the Jets are thinking about the playoffs with a 7-4 record with six games left. But there will be a time after the playoffs to begin thinking about 2023 and beyond. And with college football entering conference championship weekend, draft season is about to be kicked up a notch.
One surefire sign that draft season is gearing up is when the first mock draft drops from one of the best in the business, Dane Brugler of The Athletic. He did just that this week. (Subscription required)
His pick for the Jets at No. 22? Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson.
C.J. Mosley is getting older and Quincy Williams is in the final year of his deal, so linebacker might be a position the Jets examine in the early rounds next April. With his position flexibility as a blitzer, run stopper and cover man, Trenton Simpson offers the athletic versatility that will appeal to Jets coach Robert Saleh.
Linebacker certainly will be among the top needs for the Jets next offseason. As Brugler notes, C.J. Mosley is 30 years old and Quincy Williams and Kwon Alexander are set to be free agents, so the Jets will have some decisions to make.
Simpson would add plenty of flexibility to the Jets defense. He can play the hybrid safety/linebacker role for the Jets and give Jeff Ulbrich’s unit another excellent, sideline-to-sideline player in the second level.
Simpson currently ranks second for the Tigers with 65 tackles, behind only Jeremiah Trotter Jr., has 2.5 sacks and also three passes defended.