2024 NFL Mock Draft: New York Jets

2024 NFL Mock 

Draft: New York Jets

The New York Jets are up next in my 32-team Mock Draft series! The Jets had high expectations going into last season, but things went south fast after Aaron Rodgers suffered an achilles injury in the season opener. Now, they are looking to bounce back in the 2024-2025 season. Let's take a look at their offseason thus far:

Key Departures (as of 3/14/24):

LB Bryce Huff --> Philadelphia Eagles (3 yrs/$51.1M; $34M guaranteed)

SAF Jordan Whitehead --> Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2 yrs/$9M; $4.5M guaranteed)

Key Signings (as of 3/14/24):

RT Morgan Moses (via trade with Baltimore Ravens)

DT Javon Kinlaw (1 yr/$7.25M; $6.91M guaranteed)

DT Leki Fotu (1 yr/$2.5M)

QB Tyrod Taylor

Players like Ashtyn Davis (SAF), C.J. Uzomah (TE), and Bryce Hall (CB) could be brought back cheaply in free agency to provide more depth to this roster. There is always room for improvement on any team, but New York hasn't made much noise thus far in the early stages of free agency. Let's see what I can do in a 7-round Mock Draft...

Mock Draft completed via the PFF Mock Draft Simulator on 3/14/2024

In this exercise, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator was kind enough to let Joe Alt slide to #10. This was an easy decision. New York brought Morgan Moses in after a trade with Baltimore, so the assumption there is he will slot in at right tackle. Subsequently, Alijah Vera-Tucker can slide into the interior, perhaps at right guard. Then, drafting Joe Alt to play left tackle would be massive. Alt is athletic and a menace in the run game. His pass protection work can be improved, but overall, the Jets would have a much improved offensive line after these offseason moves and a draft selection like Alt.

New York could use a big-bodied receiver outside of Allen Lazard, and Brenden Rice ticks that box. He measured in at 6'2"-208 pounds at the NFL Combine. I for one am not that impressed with Rice, as he isn't a fast-mover and his separation ability is only adequate. However, he is a physical receiver who is an aggressive attacker at the catch point. Rolling out a receiving trio of Garrett Wilson (6'0"), Allen Lazard (6'5"), and Brenden Rice for Aaron Rodgers to throw to wouldn't be too shabby.

Cam Hart being available in the early-mid portion of Round 4 in this exercise seemed like good value to me. I know that Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed have those outside corner positions stapled down, but adding Cam Hart as a depth piece who can rotate in would be very valuable. Hart measured in at 6'3"-202 pounds at the NFL Combine. His 6'3"-202 pound size is a plus in press-man coverage, as he can blanket receivers in the early stages of a route. Hart doesn't have great long speed, though.

One of my favorite players in this draft class. Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis is the definition of a gamer. He is gritty, determined, and a leader. His late-season injury was unfortunate and perhaps knocked his draft stock down a bit, but I do have a Round 4 grade for him and I like the prospect of him landing to the Jets on Day 3. Travis is expected to be fully cleared by April, which is just in time for the Draft and  training camp. Having an athletic, hard-nosed talent like Jordan Travis under the tutelage of Aaron Rodgers would be extremely beneficial for his development at the NFL level. From a future-focused perspective, Travis could be the successor to Rodgers in this Jets offense if he plays to his traits and incorporates what he learns sitting behind one of the best.

Although tight end Tyler Conklin is serviceable and C.J. Uzomah could be brought back in free agency, I don't think there is any harm in adding depth to this position group. AJ Barner is more of a run-blocking tight end, but he should have some upside in the receiving game as a large red zone target.

In Round 7, the Jets select Jalen Green out of James Madison. Green was an excellent contributor to the Dukes on defense, amassing 15.5 sacks and forcing two (2) fumbles. He isn't impressively athletic and is more of a power rusher off the edge, but showing production in the late portion of his college career is beneficial to his draft potential. In the early stage of his NFL career, Green would be a good practice squad player to develop, who could perhaps garner a few in-season call-ups to be a rotational rusher on late downs.

Kitan Oladapo in Round 7 is a great pick in my eyes, as I have a Round 6 grade for him. Oladapo is excellent in man coverage against tight ends thanks to his combination of size and strength at the safety position. I think he'd find the most success as a box safety due to his size and strength, as he lacks the long speed to be a successful deep safety. That's not to say that he can't ever be a deep safety, but his speed isn't anything to write home about, and his recognition and assessment ability need to improve. The Jets currently have only three (3) safeties on their roster. Oladapo would be a great depth add with perhaps immediate special teams involvement.

PFF Mock Draft Grade: A-