Because the Jets are treating 2024 like an entire redo of 2023, it solely is smart for a well-recognized situation to unfold within the first spherical of the draft.
One yr after spending the No. 15 choose on seldom-used pass-rusher Will McDonald as an alternative of an offensive deal with — thus permitting a obvious must grow to be a debilitating weak spot in the course of the season — common supervisor Joe Douglas ought to get a second likelihood at enhancing the safety in entrance of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Even when extra than simply Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is off the board by the point that the Jets choose at No. 10, Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga and Alabama’s JC Latham all are viable choices, in line with NFL Community analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
There may be insurance coverage in opposition to a run on the place.
“Fashanu most likely is gone,” mentioned Jeremiah, a former NFL scout who labored with Douglas within the Ravens group, “so it may come right down to Fuaga versus Latham with that choice.”
The riskiest determination given the make-up of the roster earlier than free company — Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown are unsigned — could be pivoting to fill the large want at receiver and ready till the third spherical to handle the offensive line.
The Jets traded their second-round choose to the Packers for Rodgers.
“If you may get the deal with,” Jeremiah mentioned, “I really feel lots higher in regards to the third-round wideouts than I do in regards to the third-round tackles.”
It appeared the Patriots caught it to the Jets final draft by making a commerce that allowed the Steelers to seize Broderick Jones — the fourth offensive deal with known as over the primary 14 picks — however the staff mentioned it favored McDonald over Jones.
The Jets handed on NFL All-Rookie choice Anton Harrison (No. 27 to the Jaguars).
Right here is how Jeremiah sees the Jets’ potential three “completely different flavors” on this draft:
Olu Fashanu (6-foot-6, 317 kilos)
“Has the perfect body, splendid size. The Ohio State recreation this yr is the one individuals will level to the place he obtained in some bother. His eyes have been form of within the flawed place, and he gave up his chest and obtained bowled and moved round just a little bit. On the entire, I believe his tape is fairly stable, and he could be plug-and-play on the fitting or the left [side].”
Taliese Fuaga (6-5, 332)
“A very, actually clear participant for me. He has performed on the fitting aspect, and I don’t see why you’ll need to transfer him. He’s plug-and-play with no consideration deal with. He may play guard when you wanted him to. Actually constant, fast ft, actually explosive when he will get into guys. He’s obtained some nasty to him.”
JC Latham (6-6, 360)
“He’s obtained lots in his physique — torque and energy, particularly within the run recreation.
He can anchor all day lengthy. He had some points, greater than the opposite guys, with a number of the stunts and twists they noticed. I believed his eyes have been just a little bit late. He could be the fourth man, for me, in that blend.”
In that situation, Jeremiah named Western Kentucky’s yards-after-catch weapon Malachi Corley, Michigan’s speedster Roman Wilson and Florida’s contested-catch magician Ricky Pearsall as potential third-round receivers to finish the two-issue equation.
