At 4-6, the New York Jets have a long mountain to climb to get back into the playoff race now that they are turning towards their third starting quarterback of the year.
Is the season suddenly over? Of course not. That doesn’t mean we should not look ahead to what could be a potentially massive 2024 draft class for Gang Green. New York currently has seven picks going into this upcoming draft and a top-15 selection from where they are at (courtesy of the Mock Draft Database). They also have plenty of needs along the offensive side of the ball too.
Can the Jets solve all of their needs for Aaron Rodgers next season? AM New York breaks down a first look at what their draft class could look like today.
1st Round – 11th Overall Selection – LT, Joe Alt – Notre Dame
Duane Brown will be gone next season and the Jets have plenty of needs along the offensive line. Drafting who, I think, is the best left tackle in the college game will certainly help that situation. A lot of people like Olu Fashano because of his pass-blocking prowess, but Joe Alt is a more complete player at the left tackle spot.
If the Jets get Alt in Round 1, New York will come away with a win through the entire draft – that’s how good a pick this would be.
3rd Round – 73rd Overall Selection – WR, Brian Thomas Jr. – LSU
New York has other needs along the offensive outside of their line. Allen Lazard’s four-year $44 million contract looks awful because he has seven drops on the entire season and just 20 catches. The Jets need a competent, big-frame pass catcher that can complement Garrett Wilson’s route-running prowess.
Brian Thomas Jr. of LSU is a 6’4″ 205lb. deep threat who has the size and speed to dominate at the next level. A lot of people will want another lineman, but Thomas would be the best available player here.
4th Round – 108th Overall Selection – G, Brandon Coleman – TCU
Brandon Coleman is 6’6″ and over 300lbs. He has experience at guard and tackle but is better built for the inside. I love what I’ve seen from him on tape though. Coleman is a big-time player who should be able to compete right away for a starting role whether it be against Laken Tomlinson or if Alijah Vera-Tucker isn’t 100% by the start of next season.
4th Round – 116th Overall Selection – DT – Mekhi Wingo – LSU
Contrary to what many Jets fans would want, there are going to be some needs on defense that general manager Joe Douglas needs to solve. One of them is the defensive tackle spot next to Quinnen Williams. Quinton Jefferson, Al Woods, and Solomon Thomas are all free agents.
Mekhi mekWingo is a solid player with a good frame. He’s shown some ability to rush the passer and is very good against the run. More importantly, he plays in the SEC which means he should be a plug-and-play performer once camp begins.
6th Round – 189th Overall Selection – C, Tanor Bortolini – Wisconsin
Douglas needs to come out of this draft with multiple offensive linemen. Not one or two, but several. Bortolini has experience at both guard and center and should provide immediate depth to a team that will, once again, try and save their group from injury concerns.
Trust the Wisconsin offensive line lineage to churn out a strong player.
7th Round – 253rd Overall Selection – QB, Jordan Travis – FSU
Before his leg injury last week, I thought Jordan Travis could go as early as the second round. He’s a wily passer with a big arm, good accuracy, and strong leadership skills. Now his serious broken leg injury is going to hurt his stock but that could be music to the ears of the Jets.
New York needs a quarterback to groom behind Rodgers and Travis has a lot of intangibles that could make him an interesting late-round pick. He may go earlier than this, but we’ve seen leg injuries like the one he suffered last week tank most player’s draft stock.
7th Round – 255th Overall Selection – S, Sanoussi Kane – Purdue
Providing depth in the backend is never a bad thing. Kane has been a part of some good defenses and could also be another project safety that the Jets try and produce into more of a linebacker. Kane’s a solid project.
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