Jets' Top 2023 NFL Draft Targets

New York Jets fans can briefly R-E-L-A-X, Aaron Rodgers is officially the team and it still has a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Granted, that pick is now two selections later than the one the Jets originally held, but they still have an opportunity to land a blue-chip talent on Thursday.

As part of the trade that finally brought the Jets their quarterback, they and the Green Bay Packers swapped the 13th and 15th picks. New York will also receive a fifth-round pick while giving up the No. 42 overall selection, a sixth-round selection and a 2024 conditional second-rounder that could become a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the snaps, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

It's an ideal situation for the Jets. They get their chance to have an elite quarterback if the 39-year-old can still play at that level, and they still have a first-round pick to continue adding young talent.

Keeping Rodgers upright now becomes a real priority and one that will likely be addressed with the No. 15 selection.

Here's a look at three top targets who should be on the Jets' radar.

OL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (77) in action during the Big Ten Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats on December 19, 2020 at Lucas Oil stadium, in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It might be a little unclear whether Peter Skoronski can overcome his lack of ideal dimensions and length to play tackle in the NFL. What isn't unclear is that he's going to be a productive lineman.

The 21-year-old is listed as an interior lineman and the ninth-ranked player overall on Bleacher Report's big board. However, all of his film from Northwestern is at left tackle where he took over as a freshman after Rashawn Slater was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers two years ago.

Slater was another undersized tackle for the Wildcats who has worked out pretty well in the league.

The good news is Skoronski's potential to play guard could actually work in his favor in New York. If Mekhi Becton can return after missing all but one game of 2021 and all of 2022 with knee injuries, then the Jets won't necessarily have a need at left tackle this season.

If Becton and second-year player Max Mitchell work out as tackles, then Skoronski could be an All-Pro guard on either side depending on where New York wants to play Alijah Vera-Tucker or if Laken Tomlinson can live up to his contract.

Either way, the Jets have questions on the offensive line and Skoronski can answer many of them.

OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

AP Photo/Barry Reeger

Ohio State offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) looks for someone to block against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

If the Jets care a bit more about the size aspect of a tackle than the production, they might favor Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. He isn't too much further down the board at No. 17 overall and the highest-rated true tackle.

The nice thing about the 21-year-old is that he also has film at right guard, which is where he played in his penultimate season for the Buckeyes.

B/R's Brandon Thorn is high on Johnson both as an immediate contributor and a potential high-impact lineman within the first four years of his career.

"Johnson needs to refine his use of hands and improve his anchoring ability to better handle power but has enough clear strengths in his game to be an immediate starter with room to become an impact player over his first contract," he summarized in his scouting report on the 6'6", 313-pound tackle.

Whereas Becton is a mammoth left tackle at a listed 6'7", 363 pounds, Johnson is a much more slender option who could be a better fit in the zone run game.

If the Jets aren't too confident Becton can stay healthy and want a Day 1 starter at left tackle, then Johnson could be the pick at No. 15.

OT Broderick Jones, Georgia

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INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 09: Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) celebrates after a touchdown play in action during the 2023 CFP National Championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the TCU Horned Frogs on January 09, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

You might be noticing a pattern here, but it's highly likely the Jets are coming away from this draft with a tackle they feel can play from Day 1.

With Duane Brown, Mekhi Becton and Max Mitchell as the probable starters on the roster right now and Aaron Rodgers potentially coming to town on draft night, it just makes too much sense.

Skoronski and Johnson both have the ability to slide inside to guard. Broderick Jones could likely do that too, but he's the purest tackle of the bunch.

In his scouting report for B/R, Brandon Thorn noted the 21-year-old "is a fluid athlete with excellent natural power and a rugged, tone-setting demeanor in the run and pass game."

The Georgia product is an athletic marvel and has drawn comparisons to former Jets tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Ferguson was a three-time Pro Bowler and consistent presence in the New York lineup for a decade. The Jets would be thrilled to get the same kind of results from Jones.

He comes in at No. 19 on the B/R big board and is the second-ranked tackle behind Johnson. If the Jets value a nasty demeanor and the ability to clear out run lanes for Breece Hall, then Jones could be the pick.