Playmaker or protector?
That feels like the question Jets general manager Joe Douglas will have to answer when the team enters the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25th.
There are nine picks in front of Douglas, which will have a big impact on what he does going forward.
Is there a run for the top wide receiver? Will one of them fall into his hands? That’s what happened in this week’s seven-round mock draft. One of their top receivers fell into the Jets’ lap, and as Jets GM we grabbed him.
Last week’s mock focused on offense, using the first five picks on that side of the ball. This week we are still focused on offense, but we acquired a defensive player with the team’s second pick.
We used the PFF mock draft simulator to get us through it. Here’s his second try at his 2024 mock draft for the Jets:
Round 1, 10th overall: Roman Odunze, WR, Washington.
Previous selection: Taliace Fuaga, Oregon
The Jets’ war room will be happy if Odunze is here. Malik Nabors and Marvin Harrison were used in this simulation, with Joe Alt and Talese Fuaga absent from the offensive line. The Falcons and Bears, who drafted just before the Jets, acquired defensemen Dallas Turner and Jared Barth, leaving Odunze.
Odunze could give the Jets a lot of flexibility at wide receiver. There’s no need to rush Mike Williams back from his ACL injury. He could move Garrett Wilson into the slot if he wanted to create a mismatch. Odunze had a great 2023 season with the Huskies with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns.
If Odunze hadn’t dropped, the decision would have been to trade back for Brock Bowers.
Round 3, 72nd overall: Jayden Hicks, S, Washington State.
Previous selection: Devontez Walker, WR, NC State
I’ll be playing defense from the beginning of this week. If there’s one position I think is unstable defensively, it’s safety. The Jets have Chuck Clark coming back from a torn ACL and Tony Adams, who had an up-and-down first year as a starter. This feels like a position that needs to be addressed, but the Jets could do it with Hicks, who can play both safety positions.
Round 4, 111th overall: Matt Gonsalves, OT, Pittsburgh.
Previous selection: Audric Estim, RB, Notre Dame
We chose not to address an offensive tackle in the first round, but I would be nervous if I were Robert Saleh. The Jets have two 33-year-olds at tackle. One is coming back from surgery, and the other has missed a number of games in recent years. Goncalves played both tackle spots in college and gives the Jets depth at the position.Max Mitchell and Carter Warren both played as rookies as fourth-round picks, so don’t discount the idea of a fourth-round tackle playing as a rookie
Round 4, 134th overall: Braylon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Previous selection: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
I still think the Jets might add a veteran running back, but they need more room at this point. All they have there right now is Breece Hall and Israel Abanikananda. Allen would give them a physical runner who could complement Hall and Abanikananda.
Round 6, 185th overall: Justin Rodgers, DT, Auburn.
Previous selection: AJ Varner, TE, Michigan State
This is a depth pick at a position where the Jets need an injection of youth. Rodgers is 6-foot-3 and weighs 346 pounds, allowing him to fill the middle. He is not expected to play much as a rookie, but could develop into a player on the team in 2025.
Round 7, 256th overall: Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona.
Previous selection: Kenny Logan, South, Kansas
This is a special teams pick. McLachlan will be able to contribute immediately in his return to the team, and over time he could develop into an attacking player. The Jets are light on tight ends right now, so he could get some playing time in 2024.
Round 7, 257th overall: Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland.
Previous selection: Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo
The Jets select Tua’s younger brother with the final pick of the 2024 NFL Draft! This will be a fun story. The Jets need to add a third QB as a developmental addition to Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. Acquiring a player with a famous last name will add even more intrigue.
