When the Jets signed free agent center Kevin Mawae back in 1998, nobody knew that it would be the start a nineteen-year run of elite center play for Gang Green. Mawae, now a hall of famer, spent eight seasons at the pivot for the Jets as arguably the best center in the NFL. When he departed after the 2005 season, there wasn’t the dropoff that many had anticipated.
With the 29th pick in the first round of the 2006 draft, the Jets selected Ohio State center Nick Mangold.