Aaron Rodgers landed with the Jets, the Packers received two premium draft picks in return, and then there was a “minor” detail of the trade that quickly became a big deal.
Three days before the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Jets and Packers agreed to a pick swap as part of the larger blockbuster.
The Packers moved up to No. 13, while the Jets dropped to No. 15 (moving from one pick in front of the Patriots to one pick behind their nemesis).
So what? Well, that two-pick difference seemed to set the course of the Jets’ draft after the Patriots struck a deal allowing the Steelers to trade up for offensive tackle Broderick Jones at No. 14.
The Jets aren’t looking to give back their Hall of Fame quarterback, but you have to wonder if they would like a do-over on that part of the agreement.
Here are The Post’s pick-by-pick grades for the Jets’ draft class:
Round 1, No. 15 overall: Will McDonald (Edge rusher, Iowa State)
With the top four offensive linemen gone, the Jets seemed to consider trading down before taking McDonald.
They are selling him as their highest-rated “pass-rusher” — that skill specifically — in the class.
McDonald had 34 sacks in 48 career games because of a great spin move and bendability, but this felt about 10-15 picks too soon considering he is already 24 years old and only weighs 240 pounds.
No matter how much the Jets rotate their defensive linemen, it’s easier to see his long-term role than rookie snaps when he is the No. 6 edge rusher on the depth chart.
Grade: C
Round 2, No. 43 overall: Joe Tippman (C, Wisconsin)
In the same week they re-signed three-year starter Connor McGovern to a dirt-cheap one-year contract, the Jets drafted his 2024 replacement.
Some say that the 6-foot-6 Tippman is too tall to be a center, but he is quick out of his stance in pass protection and an athletic run-blocker.
He has a high football IQ and can make the pre-snap calls whenever that’s no longer Rodgers’ job.
Getting your No. 1 choice at a position of need and a time of good value is what it’s all about. An offensive tackle would’ve been nice, though.
Grade: A-
Round 4, No. 120 overall: Carter Warren (OT, Pittsburgh)
After their own trade with the Patriots (a rarity) to net an extra sixth-round pick, the Jets took the Paterson, N.J. native who suffered a season-ending torn meniscus four games into last season.
Warren was a four-year starter but — like last year’s fourth-rounder Max Mitchell — he is not ready to challenge Mekhi Becton or Duane Brown to start.
A case could be made that the Jets should’ve traded up from No. 112 to secure Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones (No. 111 to the Browns).
Grade: C-
Round 5, No. 143 overall: Israel Abanikanda (RB, Pittsburgh)
It’s not often that the same general manager (Joe Douglas, in this case) drafts a running back three straight seasons, but Abanikanda joins 2021 fourth-rounder Michael Carter and 2022 second-rounder Breece Hall as well as undrafted keeper Zonovan Knight.
It is not certain that Hall (torn ACL last season) will be ready for training camp.
Even if he is, the 216-pound Abanikanda offers an alternative with a nose for the end zone. The Brooklyn native led the nation (excluding kickers) with 128 points scored and rushed for 1,431 yards last season.
Grade: B
Round 6, No. 184 overall: Zaire Barnes (LB, Western Michigan)
Pencil in Barnes for a heavy role on special teams with a backup job and maybe a passing-downs package on defense.
He missed the 2020 season because of a torn ACL but became a two-year starter, highlighted by 93 tackles and nine passes defended last season to earn an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Scouts like his ability to quickly diagnose and track where the offense is trying to attack.
Grade: C
Round 6, No. 204 overall: Jarrick Bernard-Converse (DB, LSU)
Looking for experience and versatility?
How about 56 career starts between four years at Oklahoma State (47) and one at LSU?
How about starts at safety, nickel and outside cornerback?
For speed and athleticism, his Pro Day test results in the 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds), vertical jump, 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle all would’ve ranked among the top-three safeties at the NFL Combine.
Grade: C
Round 6, No. 220 overall: Zach Kuntz (TE, Old Dominion)
Are the Jets going to carry four tight ends on the 53-man roster?
Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah and 2022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert all were added just last season.
The 6-foot-7 Kuntz has what Douglas called the “freak factor” — he crushed the NFL Combine testing — to stretch the deep middle and be a red-zone target as a big slot receiver.
The Penn State transfer needs to improve his blocking, and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick criticized his “want-to.”
Grade: B-
Overall draft class grade: C