NFL Draft: Jets stay local with LT Carter Warren, RB Israel Abanikanda
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Carter Warren was sitting in his home about 20 minutes away from the Jets’ facility, watching the fourth round of the NFL Draft, when he got a phone call from a New Jersey number.
The big offensive left tackle from Pittsburgh couldn’t hold back the tears.
The Jets drafted Warren with the No. 120 overall selection on Saturday, adding much-needed depth to the tackle position and another body to block for Aaron Rodgers.
“Oh my God, it was crazy,” Warren said. “When the New Jersey number came in and called, I saw the Jets was up next. I was crying. My family was so happy. They didn’t know what was going on. I was ecstatic.”
The Jets drafted another player from the area and another Pittsburgh product with their next pick. They grabbed speedy running back Israel Abanikanda, a Brooklyn native, in the fifth round (No. 143).
“It’s actually a dream come true, a dream come true,” Abanikanda said. “I always wanted to stay home and stay close to family.”
Jets general manager Joe Douglas traded down twice on Day 3 of the draft.
Douglas dealt 112 to New England for 120 and 184 and sent 170 to the Raiders for 204 and 220. The Jets used those picks on Central Michigan linebacker Zaire Barnes (184), LSU cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse (204) and freakishly athletic 6-7 tight end Zack Kuntz (220).
“The phone was ringing today, and it was a good thing,” Douglas said.
Tackle was a position the Jets needed to fortify with Duane Brown, Mekhi Becton and Max Mitchell returning from injury. Warren, who is 6-5 1⁄2 and 311 pounds, might have gone earlier had he not torn his meniscus during his senior year at Pitt.
Warren, 24, was a four-year starter with tremendous reach and length to fight off pass rushers. After being limited to four games as a senior, the native of Paterson, New Jersey, said he’s fully healthy and ready to show the Jets what he can do.
The Jets, according to Warren, are getting “a physical, dominant player, is great with his hands, is smart, has a great football IQ. He’s ready to work, he’s a hard worker, hardest worker in the room.”
Warren helped open up plenty of holes for Abanikanda and he burst through them. Abanikanda was a track star at Abraham Lincoln High School, and that speed helped him make a big impact on the football field.
Abanikanda was third-team All-American at Pitt after rushing for 1,439 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. He rushed for 320 yards and six touchdowns against Virginia Tech.
He joins a talented young running back room that features Breece Hall, Michael Carter and Zonovan “Bam” Knight. Abanikanda has added value as a kick returner.
“They’re getting a running back that can break tackles,” Abanikanda said. “I can run in any type of scheme . . . I can also line up at slot, catch the ball and I’m a breakaway home run runner.”
Two-minute drill
Douglas wouldn’t say whether the Jets are picking up Becton’s fifth-year option. The deadline is Monday . . . Douglas said “the door is open” to bringing back linebacker Kwon Alexander.
Jets picks (Rounds 4-7)
Fourth round, 120th overall
Carter Warren
OT, Pittsburgh
6-5, 311, R-Senior
Four-year starter, great size and length including a massive 7-foot wingspan. … Started 39-of-40 games at LT but played only four games last year before tearing his meniscus … New Jersey native, grew up a Jets fan.
Fifth round, 143rd overall
Israel Abanikanda
RB, Pittsburgh
5-10, 216, Junior
All-ACC in 2022 after leading the Panthers with 1,431 rushing yards and tying for FBS-best 20 rushing TDs … Ran for 320 yards against Virginia Tech to break Tony Dorsett's single game school record … New York State Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn (he also won two gold medals in the 100-meter dash at the New York Mayor's Cup Race and a bronze at the state track meet in high school).
Sixth round, 184th overall
Zaire Barnes
LB, Western Michigan
6-1, 232, Senior
Late-bloomer, led the Broncos with 93 tackles (4.5 for loss with one sack) and three fumble recoveries in 12 starts … Has the athleticism to drop into coverage; tied for the team lead with eight pass breakups as a senior … Should help on special teams.
Sixth round, 204th overall
Jarrick Bernard-Converse
DB, LSU
6-1, 197, Senior
Played four years at Oklahoma State (three-year starter) before transferring to LSU as fifth-year senior for 2022 … Struggled at times in coverage at LSU but is a strong tackler and may wind up at safety in NFL.
Seventh round, 220th overall
Zack Kuntz
TE, Old Dominion
6-7, 255, R-Senior
Big target who played just five games in 2022 (12 catches, two TDs) before torn ACL … Was still recovering from knee injury and unable to participate in all-star games but ran 4.55 at the Combine … As a junior led the Monarchs with 73 catches and 13 TDs.
— TOM ROCK