The New York Jets have the pieces on the roster to easily contend for a playoff spot in 2024 but in this month’s NFL Draft, the organization will be looking for impact players that could help push them into becoming Super Bowl contenders.
The 2024 NFL season very much feels like a redo for the Jets. After so much hope heading into 2023 the entire season seemingly went down the toilet when Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. However, he is expected to be back this year and fully recovered. Nonetheless, New York has several areas they must address with their seven selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- New York Jets draft picks in 2024: No. 10, No. 72, No. 111, No. 135, No. 185, No. 256, No. 257
Related: Latest 2024 NFL mock draft
With that in mind, let’s look at five positions of need the Jets have and some players they could target to improve the roster for the 2024 NFL season.
5. Quarterback
The hope is that Rodgers will be under center for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. But all bets are off after that and that is why New York must start preparing for life after Rodgers. Especially since the plan of having Zach Wilson be mentored by the NFL legend was a massive failure last season and he will likely be off the roster before next season starts.
However, don’t expect the Jets to use a first or second-round pick on a QB. Look for them to possibly target a rookie signal caller in the middle rounds of this month’s event. They have reportedly met with Tulane veteran Michael Pratt.
- Possible New York Jets draft targets: Michael Pratt (Tulane), Michael Heirs (Samford), Jordan Travis (Florida State)
Related: 2024 New York Jets mock draft
4. Running back
New York hopes that Breece Hall can take another step forward in 2024, however, that is far from a guarantee. Since the team did not make any major running back free agent additions this offseason, they certainly could target a back in the draft. With the position value at a low right now, the organization is likely to target a diamond in the rough somewhere in the fourth and fifth rounds of the event.
- Possible New York Jets draft targets: Audric Estime (Notre Dame), Blake Corum (Michigan), Cody Schrader (Missouri)
3. Safety
After losing Jordan Whitehead in free agency the Jets’ options in the back of the secondary is not very good heading into the new season. Right now, Tony Adams and Chuck Clark are the only real safeties on the roster and that needs to be addressed in the draft. The team doesn’t want to lose games by getting beat in the passing game and they could use a pick in rounds two or three on a player like Georgia’s Javon Bullard.
- Possible New York Jets draft targets: Jaden Hicks (Washington State), Kamren Kinchens (Miami), Javon Bullard (Georgia)
2. Offensive tackle
Sure, the Jets made some great additions to bolster the ends of their offensive line and keep Rodgers upright in 2024. Unfortunately, Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses have dealt with injuries, and neither is signed to contracts passed this season. The organization needs to start building their line of the future and they could start doing that in rounds one and two in the NFL draft.
Look for a player like Penn State star tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu to be at the top of the team’s wish list.
- Possible New York Jets draft targets: Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State), Jordan Morgan (Arizona), Blake Fisher (Notre Dame)
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1. Wide receiver
For months there were rumors that the Jets would target a blockbuster trade for Raiders superstar, and Rodgers’ pal, Davante Adams. Yet that looks highly unlikely and instead, they could use their top pick in the NFL Draft to take one of the best receivers available in this year’s class.
They likely will miss out on the top two pass catchers in this class, but LSU’s other star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. could be on their radar in a trade-up late in Round 1.
- Possible New York Jets draft targets: Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU), Adonai Mitchell (Texas), Roman Wilson (Michigan)