5 Players the Jets could target in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft

Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

Perhaps the addition of Christian Harris on this list is slightly surprising, given the Jets’ glaring needs in more premium positions than linebacker in recent years. But except for corner, many of these positions (O-line, wide receiver, edge) have been addressed this past offseason. It is slightly under the radar, but off-ball linebacker may end up being the Jets’ biggest need entering the next offseason.

The Jets’ current depth chart at the position is bare, with the only player with a track record of success being C.J. Mosley. But even Mosley has effectively missed the past two seasons and may very well be a cap casualty next season. Beyond Mosley, the Jets signed Jarrad Davis this past offseason to a one-year deal, though he has largely underwhelmed for a former first-round pick. There is also Blake Cashman who has battled injuries his first two seasons in the NFL. As a result, a position that is currently a question mark for the Jets could be an even bigger red flag next year.

Harris played the off-ball, weakside linebacker for the Tide last year. He is a highly instinctual linebacker, and he can combine those instincts with excellent athleticism: loose hips and excellent sideline-to-sideline range. These skills give him an elite nose for the ball, and Harris always seems like he is around to make a play.

His one weakness is that he is slightly undersized at just 6’2, 232 pounds, according to Sports Reference. He is not the strongest linebacker in college football, but Robert Saleh prefers his linebackers to be more run-and-hit type linebackers, almost like hybrid safeties. This is evident by the Jets’ selecting two safeties on day 3 of the 2021 NFL draft that they plan on converting to linebacker.