A new NFL Mock Draft from a New York Jets insider suggests the team will land a player viewed as the best defender in this year’s class. But it is not Penn State star Abdul Carter.
It has been an eventful last few weeks for the Jets. They began the offseason early after they did not make the playoffs again following a 5-12 finish. However, it did give them a leg up in their search for a new head coach and general manager.
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Late last month, the franchise landed on former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to be their next head coach. The move was well-received by the fan base since Glenn was once a Pro Bowler for the team. Then they hired his new boss when they made Darren Mougey their new GM.
Over the weekend, it was also reported that the organization is expected to move on from future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers. In March they will begin looking to improve the roster in NFL free agency. But April’s draft might be their best route to short and long-term fixes.
The organization could go in many directions with their first pick at seventh overall. However, SNY NFL insider Connor Hughes believes a star from Michigan who is rising on draft boards will be the player they take in Round 1.
- New York Jets first pick in NFL Draft: Seventh overall
New York Jets to take Mason Graham with first pick in 2025 NFL Draft?
“The Jets could go in so many different directions here. They need a right tackle [or] they could also go receiver if they let Davante Adams and Allen Lazard go,” Hughes wrote. “They could also add a quarterback and have him sit and develop behind Tyrod Taylor for a season.
“But, for this mock, give them [Mason] Graham. Some scouts believe he’s the best defensive player in this draft. He had 45 tackles — seven for a loss — and 3.5 sacks this past season. He’d give the Jets quite a lot of talent up front when paired with Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, and Quinnen Williams.”
- Mason Graham stats (2024): 45 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
That is high praise considering Penn State pass rush master Abdul Carter could go No. 1 in this year’s draft. Furthermore, the idea of bolstering the defensive frontline does make sense. NFL fans just saw in Super Bowl 59 how a dominant frontline can help carry a franchise to a Super Bowl victory.
Graham was a starter in all three of his seasons in Michigan — including their championship year in 2023 — and progressively got better every season of his college career.
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