With a disappointing 7-10 season now in the rearview mirror, there’s no doubt what the New York Jets’ top need is. With mock draft season now in full swing, it’s time to analyze how the team can replenish its offensive depth in April.
After months of hype, the organization’s Super Bowl hopes immediately vanished when prized offseason acquisition Aaron Rodgers went down with a season-ending achilles injury on the fourth play of the year. The Green and White learned the hard way that even with an elite defense, no team can get very far without protecting the quarterback, especially when he’s a 40-year old with decreasing mobility.
With free agency and the NFL draft coming up over the next few weeks, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas needs to finally fortify the offensive line, a promise he made when he was hired back in 2019. While the team’s draft selections will undoubtedly be influenced by its free agent signings, it’s not too early to predict who it’ll take in April.
The Jets are currently projected to have just five picks after dealing their second rounder to Green Bay for Rodgers last offseason. However, Over the Cap predicts they will earn three compensatory picks in the seventh round due to the losses of Mike White, Nate Herbig and Dan Feeney in last year’s free agency. According to the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator, here are eight prospects that New York could feasibly take.
Round 1, Pick 10: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
While Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu are the consensus top two prospects at the position, neither player was available at this selection in the draft simulator. However, Fuaga is hardly a consolation prize. The 6’5, 230-pound bruiser has been linked to the Jets this offseason, with beat reporter Rich Cimini even claiming that he’s a top target for Douglas and company.
Apple of his eye? #Jets GM Joe Douglas has an affinity for Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga, according to buzz in scouting circles. Has been eyeing him for months, I’m told. Fuaga is attending the Senior Bowl this week.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 30, 2024
Fuaga’s stock has only risen since then after a standout Senior Bowl performance.
Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga was named top on the National team in a vote from DL and LB teammates at practice player-of-the-week awards ceremony today at 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™? pic.twitter.com/egfbVhDqKI
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 2, 2024
Fuaga would instantly become the best offensive tackle on the squad, both a testament to his skill and the team’s current weakness at the position. NFL insider Tony Pauline had a similar assessment in his post-Senior Bowl report:
“…if the Jets don’t take Fuaga with the 10th pick, he won’t be available much longer. Scouts on hand believe only a few offensive tackles possess the combination of size, power, and athleticism Fuaga brings to the field. Couple in the fact the Oregon State senior has shown consistent development in his game, and it adds up to a top-15 selection.”
The 2023 All-American would most likely slot in as the starting right tackle to begin the season.
Round 3, Pick 72: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
With Legette sporting a 6’1, 223-pound frame, he would provide Rodgers with a big-bodied target in the red zone to play opposite star receiver Garett Wilson. The New York Jets were the league’s worst-ranked red zone offense by far last year, getting in the end zone just 32 percent of the time, 12 percentage points behind the 31st-ranked Giants. Legette’s imposing size and contested catch ability would almost certainly help matters. The 2023 second team All-SEC selection is coming off a breakout season: 71 catches, 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games played.
Round 4, Pick 112: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
There’s a decent chance that the Jets will need safety help this offseason, as Jordan Whitehead, Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis are all free agents. Whether they bring them back or sign a new free agent, it would be prudent to take a mid-round prospect at the position to provide depth and upside. According to The Draft Network, Hicks profiles as a Swiss army knife:
“Jaden Hicks emerged during the 2023 season as a versatile three-level defensive back who has a knack for being around the football and making impact plays against the run and in pass coverage.”
Round 4, Pick 114: Brandon Coleman, OG, TCU
Coleman’s best asset is his positional versatility between the tackle and guard spots. The Jets consistently have terrible injury luck at offensive line, exemplified by standout guard Alijah Vera-Tucker missing the second half of the season two years in a row. At 6’6, 330 pounds, Coleman could be a valuable depth piece if more linemen go down in 2024, with the upside to become a permanent starter once he further develops his game.
Round 6, Pick 187: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
At this point in the draft, it’s rare to find superstar talent. However, shrewd organizations can still find overlooked players who develop into key contributors. Smith profiles as a day one special teams standout, with the explosiveness to excel as a returner. Former un-drafted free agent Xavier Gipson flashed in this role for the Jets last season, icing the week one victory against the Bills with a game-winning punt return in overtime. If the team wishes to give Gipson a bigger offensive role in his sophomore season, it could use Smith as his replacement as the primary returner.
Round 7, Pick 253: Carter Bradley, QB, South Alabama
With Rodgers’ advanced age and Zach Wilson most likely not coming back, the Jets don’t have a clear long-term outlook at the game’s most important position. While Bradley is unlikely to be a franchise quarterback, he could develop into a reliable backup, something the Jets haven’t had since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015. Bradley is coming off a solid 2023 campaign, totaling 2,975 yards on 374 attempts, with 25 TDs and a 63.6 completion percentage.
Round 7, Pick 254: Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn
With Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas hitting free agency, the Jets may need defensive line depth. Harris is slightly undersized at 6’3, 295 pounds, but he didn’t let that stop him from producing an All-SEC campaign in 2023. The former five-star recruit projects as a dual-threat run stopper and pass rusher, with potential to start in the NFL.
Round 7, Pick 257: Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
At 6’2, 213 pounds with speed to burn, Hampton profiles as another potential day one special teams contributor. The sixth-year senior developed a large body of work as a Huskie, appearing at both free and strong safety over 42 games for the defending PAC-12 champions.