Playmaker or protector?
That feels like the question that Jets general manager Joe Douglas is going to have to answer when the team is on the clock in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25.
There are nine picks before Douglas that will have a strong influence over what he does.
Is there a run on the top wide receivers? Does one of them fall to him? In this week’s seven-round mock draft that is what happened for us. One of the top receivers fell into the Jets’ lap and acting as Jets GM, we grabbed him.
In last week’s mock, we went heavy on offense, using the first five picks on that side of the ball. This week, there is still mostly offense but we took a defensive player with the team’s second pick.
We used the PFF mock draft simulator to help us through it and here is our second stab at the Jets’ 2024 mock draft:
Round 1, No. 10 overall: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Previous Pick: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
I would think the Jets’ war room would be celebrating if Odunze drops to them here. In this simulation, Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison were taken and on the offensive line, Joe Alt and Taliese Fuaga were gone. The Falcons and Bears, drafting right before the Jets, took defensive players in Dallas Turner and Jared Verse, leaving us with Odunze.
Odunze could give the Jets major flexibility at wide receiver. They would not have to rush Mike Williams back from his ACL injury. They could move Garrett Wilson into the slot when they wanted to create mismatches. Odunze had a monster 2023 season for the Huskies with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns.
If Odunze had not dropped, it would have been a decision between Brock Bowers and trading back.
Round 3, No. 72 overall: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Previous Pick: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
I’m going defense early this week. If there is one position on the defense that I think is shaky, it is safety. The Jets have Chuck Clark returning from an ACL tear and Tony Adams, who had ups and downs in his first year as a starter. It feels like a position that needs to be addressed and the Jets can do it here with Hicks, who can play both safety positions.
Round 4, No. 111 overall: Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
Previous Pick: Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
We chose not to address offensive tackle in the first round, which would make me nervous if I was Robert Saleh. The Jets have two 33-year-olds at tackle. One is coming off surgery and the other has missed plenty of games in recent years. Goncalves has played both tackle spots in college and gives the Jets some depth at the position. Max Mitchell and Carter Warren, who were both fourth-round picks, played as rookies so don’t discount the idea of a fourth-round tackle playing as a rookie
Round 4, No. 134 overall: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Previous Pick: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
I still think the Jets may add a veteran running back, but as of now, they need to add to that room. Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda are all they have there right now. Allen would give them a physical runner who can complement Hall and Abanikanda.
Round 6, No. 185 overall: Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn
Previous Pick: AJ Barner, TE, Michigan
This is a depth pick at a position where the Jets need a youth infusion. Rogers is 6-foot-3 and 346 pounds and can stuff the middle. He would not be expected to play much as a rookie but can develop into a player for them in 2025.
Round 7, No. 256 overall: Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona
Previous Pick: Kenny Logan, S, Kansas
This is a special teams pick. McLachlan could contribute immediately on return teams and then possibly develop into an offensive player over time. The Jets are light at tight end right now, so there could be playing time to be had in 2024.
Round 7, No 257 overall: Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland
Previous Pick: Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo
With the final pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jets select Tua’s brother! This would be a fun story. The Jets need to add a third quarterback as a developmental guy behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. Taking a player with a famous last name would add some intrigue.
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