Jets GM Joe Douglas may take OL in first round of NFL draft
NFL hopeful Ikem Ekwonu flashes a smile during North Carolina State Pro Day on March 29 in Raleigh, N.C. Credit: AP/Chris Seward
Joe Douglas has used two early first-round picks on offensive linemen in his two seasons running the draft for the Jets. He could go for a hat trick in Thursday’s NFL Draft.
A large number of their fans will probably be upset if the Jets don’t end up with an edge rusher and a receiver with fourth and 10 picks on Thursday. Douglas may go that way. Still, you can’t rule out the Jets general manager scooping up another big tackle when the Jets are on the clock.
“The offensive line is always going to be important,” Douglas said.
The top two tackles are North Carolina State junior Ickey Ekwonu and Alabama junior Evan Neal. One, if not both, should be on the board when the Jets pick fourth.
Things could get very interesting in the Jets’ war room if Ekwonu, Cincinnati cornerback Sauce Gardner and Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux are all available.
Robert Saleh is a defensive coach and values edge rushers. His whole defense is predicated on the front four being disruptive. Douglas, meanwhile, has made it his mission to build the offensive line.
Saleh joked last month that he and Douglas would get into “a bare-knuckle boxing match” to decide whether they go D-Line or O-Line. “No, it’s going to be a great discussion, for sure.”
Douglas started rebuilding and revamping the offensive line two years ago for former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold and is still looking for the right group now to keep Zach Wilson protected and healthy.
The Jets signed center Connor McGovern, tackle George Fant, guard Greg Van Roten, re-signed guard Alex Lewis and used the No. 11 pick on left tackle Mekhi Becton in 2020. Last year, Douglas traded up to draft guard Alijah Vera-Tucker at 14, and later signed tackle Morgan Moses and guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
During this free agency, Douglas signed All-Pro left guard Laken Tomlinson, whose acquisition means Vera-Tucker is sliding to right guard. They are “one of, if not the best guard combinations in the league,” according to Douglas.
“I do feel this unit is vastly improved, especially from several years ago,” Douglas said. “I feel good about our offensive line.”
The two draft picks — Becton and Vera-Tucker — were thought to be cornerstones on the left side of the line. Vera-Tucker had a strong rookie season and isn’t going anywhere, despite his move to the right side. The Jets see him as a future Pro Bowl guard.
Becton’s conditioning and health concerns have led to questions about his long-term Jets’ future, though.
He fractured his kneecap in Week 1 and never returned, despite the Jets giving a 4-to-8-week timeline. This is a big off-season for Becton to return in better shape and prove he can still be a foundation.
Saleh said Becton would compete with Fant for the starting left tackle spot. Fant is returning from knee surgery and is in the last year of his deal, so the Jets could look for insurance and take another tackle in the first round.
Douglas said it’s fair to question whether he has invested too much on the offensive line. The line isn’t a finished product, though, so Douglas isn’t finished, and may never be.
“When you’re building a team, balance is important,” Douglas said. “You don’t want to invest too much on one side of the ball, too much on one position. At the same time, you’ve got to keep the main thing the main thing.”
Douglas firmly believes in taking best available player, regardless of position. If Ekwonu is available and Douglas and his scouts feel he’s the pick, Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II is a possibility at 10.
Either way, Douglas will take an offensive lineman at some point in this draft.
He could acquire a later first-round pick and take Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning or center Tyler Linderbaum. If Linderbaum is available when the Jets use their first pick of the second round (No. 35), he would be under consideration. McGovern is returning from knee surgery as he enters the final of year of his contract.
“Coach and I and everyone here have been pretty consistent about the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Douglas said. “We’re also going to keep the main thing the main thing.”
Potential Jets' O-line targets:
IKEM EKWONU
North Carolina State, OT, 6-4, 320
He played mostly left tackle in college but has played guard as well. Known for his pancake blocks, Ekwonu is strong in the run game. His pass protection needs improvement. First-team All-American should be one of the top players selected.
EVAN NEAL
Alabama, OT, 6-7, 337
Not that long ago, Neal was being projected as the No. 1 pick overall. He played both tackle spots and guard in college. With his size, strength and versatility, he probably won’t fall out of the top 10.
TREVOR PENNING
Northern Iowa, OT, 6-7, 325
He was a three-year starter at left tackle and plays with a mean streak. Penning gained nearly 100 pounds in college, and a lot of it was muscle. He could be on the Jets’ radar if they acquire a later first-round pick.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
