The 2023 NFL Draft is in our rearview mirror. What were the New York Jets‘ draft picks in 2023, how did they acquire those selections, and which prospects did they select? We have all of the info you need to know.
Want to see how the Jets graded out during the 2023 NFL Draft? Check out our full New York Jets draft grades, then take a look at the entire 2023 NFL Draft results.
New York Jets Draft Picks by Round in 2023
- Round 1, Pick 15 (from GB)
Will McDonald IV, EDGE | Iowa State - Round 2, Pick 43
Joe Tippmann, C | Wisconsin
- Round 4, Pick 112
Carter Warren, OT | Pittsburgh - Round 5, Pick 143
Israel Abanikanda, RB | Pittsburgh - Round 6, Pick 184
Zaire Barnes, LB | Western Michigan - Round 6, Pick 204
Jarrick Bernard-Converse, DB | LSU - Round 7, Pick 220
Zack Kuntz, TE | Old Dominion
How Many Draft Picks Did the Jets Have in the 2023 NFL Draft?
The Jets ultimately made seven picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. New York made a series of trades before the draft got underway that changed the composition of their 2023 selections.
First, Gang Green shipped wide receiver Elijah Moore and their third-rounder (No. 74) to the Browns in exchange for a second-round choice (No. 42). Initially, that gave the Jets back-to-back picks in the second round at Nos. 42 and 43.
MORE: Free Mock Draft Simulator (With Trades!)
However, New York then made its most significant move of the offseason by acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Packers. In that deal, the Jets traded the No. 13 pick, their new second-round choice (No. 42), a sixth (No. 207), and a conditional 2024 second-rounder to Green Bay in exchange for Rodgers, pick No. 15, and a fifth-round selection (No. 170).
During the draft, the Jets acquired more draft capital by trading back twice. First, they moved back eight spots in the fourth round by shipping pick No. 112 to the Patriots in exchange for Nos. 120 and 184.
New York’s final trade allowed the Raiders to move back into the fifth round. The Jets landed picks in the sixth (No. 204) and seventh rounds (No. 220) in exchange for pick No. 170.
Who Did the Jets Draft in 2023?
While the Jets may have been targeting offensive line help in the first round, the Steelers traded in front of New York to select Georgia’s Broderick Jones, the last potentially elite tackle on the board.
Instead, the Jets went with late riser Will McDonald IV, who should see snaps during his rookie campaign but is at best New York’s No. 4 edge rusher behind Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, and Jermaine Johnson II.
MORE: New York Jets 2023 Schedule
In Round 2, New York landed a potential starter in Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann. He’ll compete for the starting center job with Connor McGovern, whom New York re-signed on a one-year deal near the league minimum. Tippman also has the capacity to play guard, giving New York flexibility as they determine how to deploy their offensive line.
The rest of the Jets’ draft picks will likely slot in as depth pieces during their rookie campaigns. Carter Warren will fight Max Mitchell to become the club’s swing tackle behind starters Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton, while Israel Abanikanda faces an uphill battle for snaps behind Breece Hall, Zonovan Knight, and Michael Carter.
