New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Linemen
By TJ Wengert
The 2017 NFL season hasn’t started yet, but most New York Jets fans are ready for 2018 and beyond. With the team in a “rebuild” of sorts, we take a look at the 2018 NFL Draft prospects who Jets fans should be watching this college football season.
Moving forward in our series of players the New York Jets should be scouting, today we get to the big guys on the offensive line!
Offensive linemen are the most underappreciated, and in a way, the guys who can enhance the passing and running game more than anyone else (maybe other than the running back). In other words, their performance affects both aspects of the offense more than any other position.
The Jets last season gave up 35 sacks, which was tied (with Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) for 15th in the NFL.
The team could use young talent along the offensive line. Of the five starters, three will be at least 28 years old this season (Ben Ijalana, James Carpenter, and Kelvin Beachum) and two are 26 years old (Wesley Johnson, and Brian Winters). With the Jets time frame to win being in about three years, that would put the offensive line at the ages of 31 and 29.
Continuing the theme of the 2018 Draft, the offensive line class has plenty of depth to it. You can get Pro Bowl-level players in the first round (maybe even later). You can also find future starters in the mid to later rounds.
Today’s article highlights five prospects in total, and features tackles, guards, and a center. Now onto the fun!