Did you feel dizzy trying to keep up with the Jets’ draft class?
do not worry. So were we.
General manager Joe Douglas made four trades down, one in the first round and three in the fourth. He traded up in the second round.
Douglas acquired Haason Reddick in a recent trade with the Eagles, followed by a much-needed salary dump in a trade for starting defensive end John Franklin-Myers. They also added a 2025 third-round pick.
All of these moves were made long before this weekend, on the heels of several other moves, including the movement of 2024 draft picks in and out.
So what was the final result?
The Post’s pick grades for the Jets’ draft class are as follows:
Round 1, 11th overall: Olu Fashanu (OT, Penn State) (A-)
The question going into the draft was whether to prioritize Aaron Rodgers’ weapons or Aaron Rodgers’ protection.
The Jets correctly read the depth of the receivers in his class and started with a 312-pounder who allowed one sack in 29 college games.
Fashanu may not be a starter right away like tight end Brock Bowers, but he could be a long-term starter since neither left tackle Tyron Smith nor right tackle Morgan Moses are signed beyond 2024. That would be a reasonable answer. Considering Smith hasn’t played a full season since 2015, Moses is coming back from knee surgery, and Fashanu may be needed sooner rather than later.
One drawback is that Fashanu is primarily a left tackle. For him to become a true swing tackle, he will need to learn the correct side as a rookie and maybe even replace Moses by midseason.
Round 3, 65th overall: Malachi Coley (WR, Western Kentucky) (A-)
Cory, nicknamed the “YAC King,” is known for turning short catches into big catches. He holds school records with his 259 receptions and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
The Jets wanted him so badly that after giving up a pick in last year’s deal to acquire Rodgers, they reportedly contacted multiple teams to move him back to the second round in a trade. He never let out a breather until the Panthers agreed to trade him down at the top of the third round.
At 5-foot-10 and 207 pounds, he has been compared to Deebo Samuel because he is difficult to tackle and takes handoffs on the move. However, his average target depth is only 6.3 yards, which raises questions as to whether he can run the entire route.
Rodgers was able to involve Corey the same way he did with young Randall Cobb in Green Bay — he later became one of his favorite targets.
Round 4, 134th overall: Braylon Allen (RB, Wisconsin) (B-)
Well, that was a long gap of 68 picks. Will Allen be able to demonstrate his power with the combination of “Thunder and Lightning”?
Breece Hall is an unquestioned three-down back, but Allen, at 235 pounds, could absorb some of the big hits on third or fourth-and-short and steal some short-yardage touchdowns. . He threw for 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns in 35 career games.
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Allen, who will turn 20 during his rookie season, was the youngest player drafted, so he should have plenty of tread on his tires. He initiates contact as an above-average pass protector.
Round 5, 171st overall: Jordan Travis (QB, Florida State) (B)
Where would Travis have been drafted if he hadn’t suffered a bad fracture last November? Could he lead undefeated Florida State to a national championship?
This scenario is perfect for Travis to regain full health over time. He can learn from Rodgers, one of the best backup quarterbacks of the past decade in Tyrod Taylor, and a mentor to young quarterbacks.
Travis had 44 touchdowns and seven interceptions over his final two seasons. He can escape from crowded pockets, but needs to show better ball security when scrambling.
Round 5, 173rd overall: Isaiah Davis (RB, South Dakota State) (C-)
It’s official: Douglas loves drafting running backs. This choice is a little too repetitive and a little out of hand.
Davis is the sixth running back Douglas drafted in five classes. The problem is that philosophy continues to squeeze out past draft picks, as it did with Michael Carter last season. And he might do the same for Israel Abanikananda, who struggled to get on the field as a rookie last season.
Davis, a former Zero Star rookie, rushed for 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns. Half of his 24 career 100-yard rushing games came in the FCS playoffs, showing he got stronger as the season progressed. He’s not much of a pass-catching threat on third down.
Round 5, 177th overall: Quantez Stigers (CB, CFL) (B-)
One approach to the later rounds is to take low-risk/high-reward flyers. Stigers fits the bill after not playing college football. He joined the Jets after one season in the Canadian Football League and a strong showing in the Fan Controlled Football League.
Four years after giving up football to financially support his family, Stigers was at the Jets’ facility on a visit from a top-30 team on his way to becoming a draft pick. He defended 12 passes for the Toronto Argonauts and showed excellent breaking on the ball.
His ticket to the field is as a tackle on special teams.
Round 7, 257th overall: Jalen Key (S, Alabama) (C)
Key’s development has accelerated over the past two years. After starting one game in his first three years at UAB, he parlayed a strong 2022 season into a non-guaranteed opportunity at Alabama to become a full-time starter. He’s a physical player, whether it’s guarding tight ends or bringing his hit stick to special teams.
Now he can enjoy the special treatment afforded to the final picks in the draft. Disneyland’s “Irrelevant” Parade.
Overall draft class performance: B+
