Because the Jets are treating 2024 like a whole redo of 2023, it solely is sensible for a well-known state of affairs 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 have to change into a debilitating weak spot in the course of the season — normal supervisor Joe Douglas ought to get a second probability at bettering 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 keeping 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 might 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 deal with 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 rather a lot 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 crew 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, excellent size. The Ohio State recreation this yr is the one individuals will level to the place he acquired in some bother. His eyes have been sort of within the improper place, and he gave up his chest and acquired bowled and moved round a bit bit. On the entire, I feel his tape is fairly stable, and he could be plug-and-play on the appropriate or the left [side].”
Taliese Fuaga (6-5, 332)
“A extremely, actually clear participant for me. He has performed on the appropriate facet, and I don’t see why you’ll wish to transfer him. He’s plug-and-play for granted deal with. He might play guard in case you wanted him to. Actually constant, fast ft, actually explosive when he will get into guys. He’s acquired some nasty to him.”
JC Latham (6-6, 360)
“He’s acquired rather a lot 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 few of the stunts and twists they noticed. I assumed his eyes have been a bit bit late. He could be the fourth man, for me, in that blend.”
In that state of affairs, 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.
