May 27, 2021; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas (left) chats with head coach Robert Saleh during an OTA at Jets Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
There’s no shortage of story lines or intrigue when it comes to the New York Jets and the 2024 NFL draft. Gang Green could do with adding a pass catcher or even adding some depth to their offensive line early on.
Just a few thoughts on what may transpire and rumors that are floating around with the draft just a few hours away.
How low will Joe Douglas go? A couple of weeks ago the we pitched the idea of the Jets dropping down to the 20’s if it meant a shot to add 3 picks in the top 100. If the compensation is right, will Douglas consider a move to the late teens ore even early 30’s as the Rams and 49ers are rumored to be eyeing a move to the top 10?
What would a round 1 WR mean for Allen Lazard? Unloading Lazard would save the Jets a mere $3.5 million while incurring a dead cap hit over over $8 million according to overthecap.com. But would the Jets want a disgruntled Lazard hanging around as the team’s fourth wide receiver for $12 million? If the Jets could do a Zach Wilson-like pick swap on day 3 with the acquiring team owing Lazard just $3.5 million the Jets should explore that possibility.
Does Fuaga make sense? Whether you’re in favor of an offensive tackle in round 1 or not, one of the hottest names connected to the Jets might make the least sense. The logic in taking a tackle is that the Jets need insurance if (when) Tyron Smith misses time. Fair enough point, but should they be drafting a right tackle in Taliese Fuaga as insurance for their left tackle? If the idea is protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blind side, doing it with a rookie learning on the fly doesn’t sound like the best idea.
Post-Draft insurance: We’ve raised this point a few times this draft cycle but it’s worth repeating. If the Jets don’t go with an OT in round 1, there are still viable veteran options in free agency. David Bakhtiari, Cam Fleming, Donovan Smith and Charles Leno are still on the market to name a few.
Trade Bait? With roughly $3 million in cap space the Jets will have some work to do in creating enough space to sign their rookie class and any free agents they may covet in the coming weeks. Clearing significant space via trade doesn’t appear to be an option unless the team is looking to deal John Franklin-Myers (unlikely) or cornerback DJ Reed (not happening). This means the Jets have very few options via trade. Look for Franklin-Myers and Reed to get extensions at some point to lower their cap numbers.
Draftniks Cooling on Bowers? After weeks of mocking Georgia tight end Brock Bowers to the Jets, a pair of prominent members of the draft community have changed direction in their final mocks. Both Mel Kiper Jr. and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman had previously tabbed Bowers to the Jets with pick 10. Roughly 24 hours before the draft both have suggested the Jets take an offensive lineman.
Prediction:
The Jets explore trade down options and target teams in the top fifteen. Perhaps the Raiders, Saints or Colts. If they swing a deal, they use their first-round pick on the best pass catcher available. Look for LSU WR Brian Thomas or the aforementioned Bowers.