Jets can surprise a lot of people by making a move in the first round of the draft that no one is talking about

We are just weeks away from the NFL draft and the New York Jets front office is potentially locked in a bunker somewhere pouring over game film from last college football season in preparation. Hopefully they are doing a better job identifying players to draft than they did identifying players to sign in free agency.

The franchise currently has no real discernable direction for the 2025 season other than to say, “the New York Jets are going to run the football”. A fine strategy if your goal is to frustrate other teams and win a game or two you shouldn’t, but in today’s NFL, you have to be able to pass the ball and you have to be able to stop the pass. The Jets are going to have a hard time doing the former with Justin Fields at the helm and harder time than the past few seasons doing the latter.

At this point in the draft process there are any number of ways the New York Jets can go with the seventh overall pick, although most pundits (me included) believe it will come down to a choice between a right tackle and a tight end. Namely, a choice between Armand Membou out of Missouri or Penn State’s Tyler Warren. My heart wants them to take Warren while my mind is leading me to think they are going to select Membou. But what if what if they chose neither guy? The Jets could shake things up and take a player we aren’t even discussing at this point.

When I look at the Jets team, Aaron Glenn’s philosophy and the players likely to be available, one name sticks out to me as a potential surprise move for the Jets at seven: Georgia Bulldog’s linebacker Jaylon Walker.

The Jets two starting edge players going into the season are both recent first-round pick and both have big question marks. Jermaine Johnson has proven to be a good player in the league, but he is coming off a torn achilles and may not return to his former level this season. Will McDonald has proven he can get to the quarterback but has been less than stellar against the run game.

Walker, a 6’1” hybrid front-seven defender, could easily work immediately into a rotation and push both guys for a starting spot. He has active hands, and he wins with inside moves, not just relying on his speed rush to the outside. “He is a problem on first and second down and a major problem on third downs,” said an SEC offensive line coach about Walker.

If McDonald and Johnson both wind up exactly where the Jets want them to be, Walker is a versatile player who can be deployed in countless different ways and rush the passer from all over the field. He would be a dynamic weapon, especially lining up with McDonald and Johnson on the field at the same time.

Taking any defensive player with the seventh overall pick would be a surprise for the Jets because of the glaring needs on offense, but the Jets might be looking to build on their on their strength and if they do, Walker might not be a bad way to go.