The Jets are at a crossroads as they approach the first round of Thursday night’s NFL draft. Gone are the days of drafting solely for the future. General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh are on the hot seat, and they know that winning in 2024 is a must if they want to keep their jobs. That means putting aside the age-old draft mantra of taking the “best available athlete” and instead focusing on the “best available player who can help them win now.” The Jets’ offense, despite the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, still needs more firepower. They could use a top receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze, or a tight end like Brock Bowers. While the offensive line remains a glaring weakness, Douglas’ inability to address it effectively in his five years with the team makes it unlikely that he will use the No. 10 overall pick on a lineman unless Notre Dame’s Joe Alt falls into his lap. Douglas’ pre-draft press conference hinted at his intention to select a skill-position player, acknowledging the need for more players who can put points on the board. Harrison, Nabers, Odunze, and Bowers have all shown impressive touchdown production at the college level, and they would undoubtedly benefit from Rodgers’ ability to elevate the play of those around him. While the Jets have some promising young players on offense, they need more impact playmakers. This draft class offers a plethora of options, and Douglas has no choice but to add one of them to the roster on Thursday night.
Jets First-Round Draft Dilemma: Win Now or Build for the Future?
