The calendar switches to April, which means the 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching.
It’s time to predict what the Jets will do when this year’s first seven-round mock draft is held on April 25th.
General manager Joe Douglas has done a good job of filling many of the team’s needs through free agency.
That gives him plenty of flexibility when it comes to the draft.
However, the Jets need to acquire several players to fully corral Aaron Rodgers.
Owner Woody Johnson’s mantra this offseason has been “offense, offense, offense,” and we listened to his words in this mock draft.
The first five picks are all offensive players working to help the unit climb out of the bottom of the NFL rankings.
We used the PFF mock draft simulator and here’s what we came up with for the Jets’ 2024 draft.
Round 1, overall 10th place: Taliace Fuaga, Oregon
Douglas made two starting tackles during free agency. He traded for Morgan Moses and signed Tyron Smith to a one-year contract. Still, I think I should make a tackle here. Moses and Smith are both 33 years old and have injury concerns. Moses is coming back from chest surgery and Smith has struggled with a number of injuries in recent years.
Notre Dame’s Joe Alt came off the board in this simulation. I went with Fuaga, but here they might bring in Olu Fashanu from Penn State or JC Latham from Alabama. Washington’s Troy Fautanu is also gaining momentum, but some teams could consider him a guard.
You’d want to take a wide receiver if someone at the top goes down, but this time Marvin Harrison, Roma Odunze and Malik Nabors were all out, as well as tight end Brock Bowers.
Round 3, 72nd overall; Devontez Walker, WR, NC State
The Jets added Mike Williams in free agency, but he is coming back from ACL surgery and will turn 30 this season. He doesn’t have a long-term answer. Walker could be the vertical threat this offense needs.
North Carolina averaged 30.7 yards per touchdown reception. He is a speedster, running a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. Walker’s route running isn’t polished, but the Jets have good route runners. They need someone to extend the field for Rodgers.
Round 4, 111th overall Audric Estim, RB, Notre Dame
Breece Hall should have a monster season for the Jets one year after ACL surgery and with a stronger offensive line. But the Jets still have work to do behind him. Israel Abanikananda showed promise as a rookie, but the running back room needs to be expanded.
Douglas could do that by signing a veteran free agent, but since he hasn’t signed one yet, he’ll bring Estime here. Estime could be a hurt short-yardage back for the Jets and complement the roles of the other two backs.
Round 4, 134th overall, Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State.
One of the most interesting questions about the Jets in this draft is whether they will take a quarterback. They have Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, but could use a developing quarterback behind them. It may be too early to take a quarterback, but Travis is an interesting prospect to have here after suffering a serious foot injury last season. This could be stolen property.
Round 6, 185th overall, AJ Barner, TE, Michigan.
He was a team captain at Indiana before transferring to Michigan and is known as an excellent blocker. Varner will primarily be a special teams player early on.
Round 7, 256th overall, Kenny Logan, South, Kansas State.
The Jets have the final two picks of the draft and it’s time to give them a defensive player in Robert Saleh. The Jets need some depth at safety, and this is also where they are looking for special teams players.
Round 7 257th overall, Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo
The Jets currently have the Mr. Irrelevant pick, so I’ll pick a linebacker. Again, this is all about special teams at this point, but the Jets could use some youth in the linebacker room.
