NFL draft gurus say this year’s draft is loaded with offensive tackles and wide receivers. That sets up perfectly for the Jets, who have a need at both positions.
It also sets up perfectly for general manager Joe Douglas to trade back in the first round, which he has not done as Jets GM.
If Douglas feels he can land a good offensive lineman or wide receiver after moving back in the first round while acquiring a second-round pick, which the Jets lack, it feels like a no-brainer.
That is where we went in our mock draft this week. We took a shot at what it might look like if Douglas decides to drop down in the first round.
We used the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator to help us through it and here is our third stab at the Jets’ 2024 mock draft:
Round 1, No. 10 overall: TRADE
Jets send No. 10 overall pick and Allen Lazard to the Steelers in exchange for No. 20 overall, No. 51 overall and a 2025 second-round pick.
Previous Picks: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State, Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Here we go. We send a bolt through the draft by dropping 10 spots. If you don’t think the trade is realistic, take it up with PFF. The simulator agreed to it. The Jets included Lazard in trade talks this spring but did not unload him. Here is their chance. The Jets also get back into the second-round with this move after sending their second-rounder to Green Bay in the Aaron Rodgers trade and pick up a second-round pick next year.
Round 1, No. 20 overall: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
With the pick the Jets grabbed from the Steelers, they take an offensive lineman who some have had going to them at No. 10. In this simulation, Fautanu is there for the Jets at 20. Fautanu played left tackle for the Huskies, but some project him as a guard in the NFL. He could be a backup at four positions for the Jets as a rookie.
Round 2, No. 51 overall: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
The Jets added Mike Williams this offseason, but they could still use a slot receiver. Wilson can be that guy. He was a three-year starter at Michigan and could have an immediate impact in the Jets’ offense.
Round 3, No. 72 overall: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Previous Pick: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina, Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
There is a lot of talk about the Jets taking Brock Bowers in the first round. In this mock draft, they get the tight end many consider the second-best in this draft in the third round. Sanders could be eased in with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert as a rookie and then become a starter in Year 2.
Round 4, No. 111 overall: Michael Hall JR, DT, Ohio State
Previous Pick: Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame, Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
The Jets need to add some young depth at this position where they have a lot of veterans. Hall needs to be more consistent but showed flashes of strong play for the Buckeyes.
Round 4, No. 134 overall: Jarvis Brownlee Jr, CB, Louisville
Previous Pick: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State, Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
This is another position where the Jets are very strong at starter but lack depth. Brownlee played three years at Florida State before spending the last two at Louisville. The Jets need to start developing some young corners behind Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed.
Round 6, No. 185 overall: Kimani Vidal, HB, Troy
Previous Pick: AJ Barner, TE, Michigan, Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn
Vidal set a school record with 1,661 yards rushing last year for Troy. The Jets need to add to the running back room behind Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda.
Round 7, No. 256 overall: Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
Previous Pick: Kenny Logan, S, Kansas, Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona
A team captain for the Huskies, this guy feels like a core special teams player and someone special teams coordinator Brant Boyer would love.
Round 7, No. 257 overall: Austin Reed, QB, Western Kentucky
Previous Pick: Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo, Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland
The Jets had success with a developmental quarterback from Western Kentucky in Mike White. Maybe Reed can duplicate that success or be like another Mr. Irrelevant — Brock Purdy.
