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If you’re a Jets or Giants fan and you weren’t compelled by the 2023 NFL Draft, you may need to examine what actually interests you. If you didn’t come away happy with what took place the past few days, you may have to examine what brings you enjoyment.
The Giants, in the first three rounds, conducted a master class in addressing team needs with value picks while deftly manipulating the draft board with key trades.
The Jets, for the first time in memory (ever?) actually conducted a draft without a deep feeling of desperation to fill an immediate need. Like, say, at quarterback.
The Jets, as you may recall, used the No. 3 overall pick in 2018 to draft Sam Darnold (now with his third team) and the No. 2 overall pick to draft Zach Wilson (now relegated to the bench as a backup until further notice). Neither of those picks worked out so well.
This draft might have been the most anticlimactic one in Jets history, because in the days before the first round began, they already had landed their big fish, when the trade for Aaron Rodgers was consummated Monday and he was officially introduced Tuesday.
After the Rodgers acquisition, every pick the Jets made in this draft felt like a complementary piece to a roster already stocked with pretty good talent on both sides of the ball and a way to enhance their chances of winning a championship with their four-time MVP quarterback.
This draft felt far removed from most of the past ones, when there was a dread that if a high pick didn’t become an immediate starter and contributor, the team was doomed.
This draft, for both the Jets and Giants, was sprinkled with some unexpected moments as well as some cool karma and coincidence.
