New York Jets select Joe Tippmann in 2nd round of 2023 NFL Draft

The New York Jets have sought help on their offensive line, and they appear to have found it, drafting Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Tippmann cemented himself as a two-year starter on the O-line for the Badgers, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten each of the last two seasons.

After sitting out the 2019 season with a redshirt and then playing sparingly in 2020, Tippmann entered the starting lineup at center in 2021. He started 22 games over the next two seasons, emerging as a very viable NFL Draft candidate.

That came on the heels of a high school career that saw Tippmann named as Indiana Mr. Football during his senior season.

Tippmann was rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 326 overall player in the country in the 2019 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He was rated as the No. 32 offensive tackle in his class and the No. 6 overall player in the state of Indiana, hailing from Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Dwenger.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Joe Tippmann

Though he may not have quite as long a track record as some of the other offensive linemen in the NFL Draft, Tippman carries the always valuable skill of playing center, meaning he’s handled a lot of communication and been a leader up front.

That certainly helped him going into the NFL Draft, as many scouts were high on his potential to lead an NFL line.

Writes NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein in evaluating Tippmann:

“Two-year starter with the weight room strength and athleticism for work in a variety of run schemes. Tippmann is taller than your average center, but he can bend enough to neutralize at the point of attack. He’s a fluid move blocker who can make wide pulls, climbing cut-offs and adjustments to moving targets in space.

“He’s recognized for his football intelligence in the pivot and is an effective communicator. He needs to play with better posture and tighter hands to stay mirrored in protection and to improve his body control through engagement. Tippmann’s size, strength, smarts and athleticism should help him become a starter in the NFL.”

Among the strengths listed for Tippmann are his high football IQ and ability to make calls and adjustments, his athleticism as a zone blocker who can pull and climb and his reactions adjusting to targets in space.

The weaknesses for Tippmann include not always playing with low pad level, a tendency to lead with his helmet and pads, leaving him vulnerable to defenders’ hands and his need to play with better hands.