Looking for the Next Great Jets Offensive Lineman at the NFL Combine
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Jets general manager Joe Douglas should be watching closely when the offensive linemen take the field at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 5 in Indianapolis
The New York Jets’ scouting department likely has March 5 circled on its calendar.
With a number of question marks across the offensive line, the Jets may be able to find some answers through the National Football League Draft.
For that reason, Jets general manager Joe Douglas should be watching closely when the offensive linemen take the field at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 5 in Indianapolis.
With the Jets holding the No. 13 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Douglas and Co. will likely be able to secure one of the top big men in this year’s talent pool.
Northwestern tackle Peter Skoronski would be an intriguing option should he last until the Jets’ First Round pick.
Gang Green could risk waiting until Day 2 of the NFL Draft, hoping to snag an offensive line prospect like Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron or Ohio State’s Dawand Jones.
Depending upon their performances in Indianapolis, Bergeron, Jones and others could push their way into the Day 1 conversation with so much still to be determined prior to NFL Draft Week in late April.
Jets’ brass has likely already determined the need for improvements and reinforcements along the Front Five though.
“The more the merrier,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh during his Combine Week press conference. “You know how Joe [Douglas] and I feel in regards to our offensive and defensive lines. I joke about it, but Joe would have 52 offensive linemen on the roster and one quarterback if he could.”
Tackle Duane Brown, who is soon to be 38 years old, is still recovering from shoulder surgery after playing much the 2022 season through pain.
Meanwhile, Jets’ 2020 first-round pick Mekhi Becton, who was viewed as a “franchise” player by numerous draftniks, has been unable to stay healthy. The 6-foot-7 Becton has shown flashes of greatness during his limited time on the field, but the left tackle missed the entire 2022 campaign due to a knee injury.
Veteran center Connor McGovern, who started all 17 games for the Jets in 2022, may opt to test the waters as an unrestricted free agent. Guard Nate Herbig is also an unrestricted free agent after making 11 starts this past season.
With the uncertainties surrounding the team’s offensive line this offseason, it’s likely that Douglas will be watching a future Jet somewhere in Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
Ralph Ventre is a former college football conference administrator who brings 20 years of media experience to the New York Jets beat. Follow Jets Country on Twitter (@NewYorkJetsFN).