The end of mock draft season has arrived. It’s finally time for the real thing.
The Jets made a bit of a move this week by trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft. They acquired a sixth-round pick (No. 203) and sent a seventh-round pick (No. 256) to Denver along with Wilson.
It’s not a drastic change, but moving up nearly 40 spots could give the Jets a player who can contribute in the future.
We’ve looked at every scenario with the Jets, but do we think it’s more important for the team to acquire a lineman who could be useful in 2024 but more likely in the future, or right away? Depends on whether you think it’s more important to acquire a pass catcher who can contribute.
This Jets offseason has been all about “win now”, so we’re sticking to that formula here and taking not one, but two pass catchers early in this mock draft.
We were able to get through that using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator. Here is his fourth and final attempt at his 2024 mock draft of the Jets:
Round 1, 10th overall: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia.
Previous recommendations: Taliace Fuaga, Oregon State, OT; Roma Odunze, WR, Washington. Trade until age 20 and draft OL Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
There’s been a lot of smoke surrounding the Jets and Bowers in recent weeks, and I’m buying it. Jets owner Woody Johnson has repeatedly mentioned how the offense needs to improve this offseason, but I don’t think he’s talking about the tackles. The Jets need a player who can score touchdowns, and Bowers gives them a dynamic weapon who can line up across formations.
A trade back could be appealing to GM Joe Douglas, but we considered several trade offers for the running back. The Raiders could jump over the Vikings and reach No. 10 if the Vikings have a favorite quarterback.
Round 3, 72nd overall: Malachi Coley, WR, Western Kentucky.
Previous recommendations: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina State. Jayden Hicks, South, WA.JaTavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Even with Bowers, the Jets could still use a slot receiver. Corey scored 29 touchdowns in college and averaged 9.2 yards after the catch over the past two seasons. The Jets’ offense will be revitalized with their first two picks.
Round 4, 111th overall: Dwayne Carter, DT, Duke
Previous recommendations: Audric Estim, RB, Notre Dame. Matt Gonsalves, OT, Pittsburgh.Michael Hall JR, DT, Ohio State
The Jets need to inject some youth into the interior of their defensive line. Carter is a midfield plugger who will be part of the defensive line rotation as a rookie and could take on a bigger role down the road. He is a two-time team captain and is someone Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh think highly of.
Round 4, 134th overall: Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
Previous recommendations: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State. Braylon Allen, RB, Wisconsin.Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville
The Jets need another running back to play behind Breece Hall and Israel Abanikananda. Estime would give the Jets a big back who can be a natural short-yardage specialist. He ran for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns last season at Notre Dame.
Round 6, 185th overall: Evan Williams, S, Oregon State
Previous recommendations: AJ Barner, Tennessee, Michigan; Justin Rodgers, DT, Auburn.Kimani Vidal, HB, Troy
This is the part of the draft where you start thinking about special teams. Williams recorded a punt block and an extra point block in college and could become the Jets’ core special teams player and coordinator Brant Boyer.
Round 6, 203rd overall: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
Milton has the strongest arms I’ve ever seen, but he lacks stability. He is in his 24th year and only started a full season in college. In other words, he’s a project, but the Jets can afford to work on a QB project with Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor as their top two QBs.
Round 7, 257th overall: Darius Muasau, LB, UCLA
Previous recommendations: Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo. Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland.Austin Reed, QB, Western Kentucky
He led UCLA in tackles each of the past two years after transferring from Hawaii. Illi Levant will give the Jets an athletic backup as a linebacker who can play on special teams as a rookie.
