Jets’ assistant general manager says offensive and defensive line prospects best in Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — This is one of the busiest times of the year for NFL general managers and scouts around the league.

In a span of eight days, the NFL is holding three different college all-star games, The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl.

Because of that, Jets assistant general manager Rex Hogan has racked up frequent flyer miles as he has traveled from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and now Alabama analyzing college prospects. Although the Senior Bowl doesn’t have the significant names like in years past, like Justin Herbert or Jalen Hurts, Hogan does like a particular position group.

“The draft as a whole because of the six-year guys who had that COVID year, are getting bigger,” Hogan said. “As a whole, the draft, the bulk of it is better.

“It’s probably not as good in terms of the high end compared to the last couple of years. If there’s two positions groups if I had to say that were showing out are the offensive line and defensive line.”

Last year, Jets tight ends coach Ron Middleton and the rest of the team’s staff led the Senior Bowl National team while Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley served as head coach for the American team. This year, the Senior Bowl has a new coaching format.

The 2023 Senior Bowl is the first time two entire staffs from NFL teams will not be coaching the game. NFL Football Operations decided to what they call a “coach up” format where coordinators and assistant coaches were placed into elevated or different roles from the ones they currently hold with their teams.

Head coaches and general managers from the 18 non-playoff teams could nominate assistant coaches. Those candidates were then selected by league office executives, representatives from the general managers advisory committee, and Senior Bowl leadership. At least one coach from 16 teams that submitted nominations was chosen and six teams had multiple coaches appointed to this year’s American and National rosters.

Last year, the Jets drafted Max Mitchell in the fourth round after seeing him during the Senior Bowl. Mitchell played in six games, starting five before his season ended due to blood clots in his right calf and lung as he was placed on the NFI (non-football injury) list.

“It is cool to come back,” Hogan said about being at the Senior Bowl. “Last year was the first time during my career where we were involved in the coaching staff and had a lot of access and it helped us in terms of the draft itself.

“This year, we are more on the outside looking in, but it is cool to get back and see the players and sit down with them and have interviews with them and get to know them.”

This offseason for the Jets is different compared to the previous few years. Gang Green has mostly been considered a rebuilding team with a young core.

However, the Jets had an opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010 after going 7-4 in their first 11 games of the year. But the Jets’ six-game losing streak and a lifeless offense ended all hopes for the postseason.

Last year, the Jets drafted cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and defensive ends Jermaine Johnson and Micheal Clemons, who all were contributors in different ways. Gardner and Wilson are both candidates to win NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year and Johnson and Clemons provided depth on the Jets’ defensive line.

Gang Green has a few needs, such as its offensive line and, obviously at quarterback. But now, the Jets can focus on building more depth at key positions during the pre-draft process.

“Every year, we focus on that and creating competition across the board,” Hogan said. “We addressed some of those positions last year with Sauce and D.J. Reed. Obviously, those guys solidified themselves in their role.

“But we will continue to add depth and competition. I feel really good about the last couple of drafts and where it’s going and what we’ve done in free agency and the combination of both of those.”