5 Players the Jets could target in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft
By Liam Gorman
Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
Jalen Wydermyer was one of the more prolific tight ends in college football last year, securing 46 receptions (4th among FBS tight ends in 2020), 506 yards, and 6 touchdowns as a true sophomore for the Texas A&M Aggies. His excellent 2020 season yielded Wydermyer the honor of being one of the three finalists for the Mackey Award, which is awarded to college football’s best tight end.
What stands out most about Jalen Wydermyer is his elite size. He is 6’5, 265 pounds, according to Sports Reference. His size also translates into functional strength. He is a physical player who uses his size to make him an effective blocker and can get around smaller defenders when running routes. Additionally, Wydermyer combines that size with a decent skillset. He has soft hands and good route running ability that make him a threat to come down with the ball anywhere on the field.
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Tight end was one of the positions that the Jets minimally addressed in 2020. Aside from signing blocking specialist, Tyler Kroft, in the offseason, they did not address the position. The likely day one starter will be Chris Herndon IV, who has been ineffective and injury-prone the past two seasons after a promising rookie year. If Herndon continues to struggle, the Jets may be searching for a new starting tight end in 2021. Wydermyer will certainly be an option if he continues to develop, and he will likely be there for when the Jets are due to pick.