The NFL Draft is just a couple days away, and the New York Jets are in an intriguing spot as they get ready to make the No. 10 overall pick. They have major expectations with Aaron Rodgers set to return after missing last season after tearing his Achilles on the fourth play of the season. But they also have major question marks.
Is Rodgers the same player he was before with his 41st birthday approaching when the Jets hope to be in the playoff mix? Can they continue to play like one of the top defenses in the league? Will they have enough playmakers for Rodgers? And do they have the depth and talent on the offensive line to keep Rodgers upright through the whole season?
Bottom line: the Jets are in it to win it right now. And they need players who can help them, right now. Will they find them in the draft?
Here are the best options for them in the first round:
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Of the top-tier receivers, Odunze is the most likely to fall to the Jets. But it’s far from a lock. A lot of things would have to go the Jets’ way, like four quarterbacks getting taken early in the draft. And they’d still have to consider trading up a couple of spots to make sure they land him. But Odunze’s size (6-3) and sure hands make him an ideal fit for their offense, and could open up more opportunities for Garrett Wilson in the slot. And if the Jets can land a player like Odunze they’ll have a far better chance of being a team to be reckoned with in 2024.
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
There’s an argument to be made for picking Bowers at No. 10. His speed and route-running ability will create mismatches, and his comfort level lining up all over the field make him even more valuable where the Jets have struggled continually: in the red zone. But advantages in the passing game are disadvantages in the blocking game. Plus, history has shown that tight ends are rarely worth drafting in the first round. It would be a huge risk for the Jets to take Bowers, one they shouldn’t take at No. 10.
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
This draft is deep with offensive tackles, but Alt is probably the only one worth taking for the Jets at No. 10 or lower — most projections have him off the board by then. Alt would make it so the Jets don’t have to worry as much about Tyron Smith or Morgan Moses making it through the season in one piece. But with other solid options available — and who could be available as late as the mid-teens, Alt would be a great option at 10 but probably not worth trading up for.
WRs Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
It seems unlikely — extremely unlikely — but if the Jets have a chance to get Harrison they must make it happen. He’d have to fall below the fifth pick to even have a chance, considering they don’t have a second-round pick to deal in this year’s draft. But for an offense that has been miserably bad at moving the ball and scoring for nearly a decade, imagine what a Harrison pairing alongside former college teammate Garrett Wilson would look like. It would be worth the cost, whatever it is.
WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Another long shot for the Jets, but another guy they should be willing to trade up for if they have the chance. Nabers isn’t the complete receiver that Harrison is, but the options for Rodgers in the Jets offense would be fun to watch with Nabers working alongside Wilson. His remarkable agility and abilities to change speed will give him the chance to get open and make plays on balls that aren’t perfect — the latter is something the Jets haven’t seen enough of.
