FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The 2023 NFL draft was held Thursday through Saturday in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. ESPN provided pick-by-pick analysis of each of the New York Jets’ selections:

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 15 overall: Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State

My take: A bit of a stunner. With the top four offensive linemen off the board, the Jets pivoted to the fast, but undersized edge rusher (6-foot-4, 245) -- widely projected as a late first- or early second-round pick. On the surface, it’s a curious pick considering it’s already a deep position with Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson and Bryce Huff. For 2023, it’s overkill. But look beyond this season: Lawson and Huff, their top speed rushers, will be free agents in 2024. Lawson ($15.7 million cap) didn’t exactly light it up last year with seven sacks. McDonald is a closer -- 33 sacks from 2019 to 2022, second only to Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. in the FBS.

When will McDonald get playing time? He joins a deep rotation, so his playing time probably won't be significant. He figures to be a pass-rushing specialist. With an Aaron Rodgers-led offense, the Jets hope to be playing with more leads than usual, which means more pass-rushing chances for the front four. The Jets believe McDonald has elite traits, including a huge wingspan (82 3/8 inches). He had only five sacks last season, but he was miscast as an inside rusher in Iowa State’s scheme. When rushing from the outside, his pressure mark was an impressive 22%. The big question is whether he will ever be big enough to be an every-down player.

What they're saying about McDonald: General manager Joe Douglas said McDonald is "one of the most dynamic pass-rushers in this draft. ... We think he's a great fit. He plays our style." Coach Robert Saleh said McDonald "is a guy who can close the door on some offenses and get to the quarterback. He's just got a unique ability to catch the corner. ... He's going to be special." Player comparisons: Randy Gregory and Brian Burns, according to Saleh ... Saleh said McDonald must add weight and learn to play with power and leverage, but that will come in time.

Round 2, No. 43 overall: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin

My take: Tippmann fills a need and represents good value at No. 43 overall, which makes him the Jets' highest-drafted center since Nick Mangold (29th in 2006). Tippmann and incumbent Connor McGovern, who re-signed on Monday (one year, $1.9 million) will face off in an "open competition," according to coach Robert Saleh. Let's be clear, though: They didn't invest a high pick in Tippmann so he could sit on the bench as a rookie. The job will be his as soon as he masters the cerebral aspect of the position and develops a chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Douglas said Tippmann, unusually tall for a center at 6-6, is a "natural fit for our offensive style."

Ties to the team to know: Former longtime Jets tackle Jason Fabini (1998-2005) coached Tippmann from the fifth grade to his senior year at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In fact, Fabini attended Tippmann's draft party on Friday night. Tippmann called Fabini "a mentor ... and a lifeline." Fabini must have coached him well. Tippmann was a two-year starter at Wisconsin, where he played in a pro-style offense. He allowed only five pressures on 589 pass blocks over the last two seasons -- an 0.8% pressure rate that was the 10th-lowest mark among 80 qualified Big Ten offensive linemen. "I'm a physical, dominant player, athletic as well," Tippmann said.

Round 4, No. 120 (from New England), Carter Warren, OT, Pitt

My take: Two Douglas trends emerged with this pick. It was acquired in a trade (dropped eight spots and acquired two picks from the Patriots) and it's an offensive lineman. The Jets' GM loves to trade and loves to draft linemen. The question is: Too late? Warren addresses a need, but he projects as a backup in 2023. That will be fine as long as the starters hold up this season. Douglas found Warren in his own backyard -- Paterson, New Jersey, about 20 minutes from the Jets' facility. He said he started crying when a Jersey number flashed on his phone moments before he was drafted. He's a long-armed tackle with a ton of experience -- a four-year starter (39 starts). He has some technique issues that need to be cleaned up. He committed 11 penalties in his last 15 games (eight false starts) and missed the last nine games with a meniscus injury. Warren said the knee is 100%. He worked out for the Jets in their local pro day. Did the Jets find their left tackle of the future? Maybe, maybe not, but at least they have a prospect in the pipeline.

Round 5, No. 143 overall: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pitt

My take: This was a predictable depth pick. With Breece Hall coming off knee surgery, with Michael Carter coming off a disappointing season and without Ty Johnson (released), the Jets needed to add another back to the room. Abanikanda was a highly productive player in 2022 -- 1,431 rushing yards, a 6.0 average and 20 touchdowns. He broke Tony Dorsett's school record with a 320-yard game against Virginia Tech. Abanikanda, who attended Lincoln High in Brooklyn, New York, has good speed (4.44 in the 40) and good field vision. The negatives: ball security (three fumbles last season) and contact balance. He doesn't gain a lot of yards after contact. The 5-10, 216-pounder also needs to improve his blocking and receiving. The Jets probably will use a rotation early in the season, as Hall works his way back to form, so Abanikanda could see the field if he picks up the offense quickly.

Round 5, No. 170 overall (from Green Bay): Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan

My take: Linebacker is the thinnest position group on the team, so the pick makes sense from that standpoint. Barnes is a scheme fit. He's not the biggest linebacker (6-1, 233 pounds), but he can run (4.54 in the 40). He had 28 career starts and finished with 93 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack last season. He wasn't invited to the scouting combine. Barnes is an older player; he will be 24 by the start of the season. He projects as a backup/special teams player. The pick was acquired from the Patriots.

Round 6, No. 184 overall (from New England): Jarrick Bernard-Converse, DB, LSU

My take: Bernard-Converse brings position versatility to the secondary. He started his college career as a safety at Oklahoma State, then switched to cornerback and eventually transferred to LSU in 2022. He was an all-Big 12 corner in 2021. At 6-1 and 196 pounds, Bernard-Converse has the size to play a hybrid position. The Jets are getting one of the most experienced players in college football -- 56 starts and 3,500 defensive snaps. He made two interceptions and five passes defensed last season. He tested very well -- 4.39 in the 40 and a 42-inch vertical jump. He's another older player; he will be 23. He projects as a backup/special teams contributor.

Round 7, No. 220 overall (from Arizona via Las Vegas): Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

My take: The man is 6-7 and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds at the scouting combine -- a rare size-speed combo that intrigued the Jets. Kuntz has a lot to work on, mainly route running, but teams look for traits in the late rounds. His 2022 season was cut short because of a knee injury, but he passed a physical and is ready to go, according to Douglas. Kuntz began his career at Penn State, but he struggled to gain traction. He transferred to ODU in 2021 and responded with his best season -- 73 catches for 692 yards and five touchdowns. The Jets are deep at tight end, so there's no guarantee he will make the roster. But he certainly has the physical tools that excite coaches.