The old adage has always been “hope for the best, but prepare for the worst”.
With the NFL draft just about two weeks away, the New York Jets are in position to find the missing pieces for a very talented, yet questionable roster. If the Jets roster as currently constructed were to remain healthy for the entire season, they are at worst a playoff team.
Does that mean that they couldn’t use an upgrade at a few positions? Of course not. We all know that injuries happen, and the Jets could certainly use some viable backups for when those injuries to pop up. That is where the 2024 NFL Draft comes in.
Because of the fantastic job Joe Douglas and co. did in free agency, there isn’t a glaring hole on the roster. Leading up to free agency, I was of the mindset that the Jets would be locked into a LT in the draft but with the signing of Tyron Smith and the trade for Morgan Moses, that is no longer a must-draft position.
After the tackles were taken care of, I looked at wide receiver and thought that would be the automatic focus in the draft. But with the addition of Mike Williams along with the hopeful bounce back of Allen Lazard now that Rodgers is back, that isn’t a pressing need either.
So, with all that said, what would a nightmare draft day look like for the Jets in round one?
Assuming the Jets are unable to trade up in the draft if the first nine picks (in no particular order) consist of:
- Caleb Williams
- Drake Maye
- J.J. McCarthy
- Jayden Daniels
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Rome Odunze
- Malik Nabers
- Joe Alt
- Brock Bowers
Where do the Jets go from here? They are likely not going to be to trade back, because the top QB’s are off the board along with the biggest play makers which is usually what teams trade up in the draft to acquire.
I’ve said in the past that I don’t think it’s likely that the Jets draft a true left tackle because of their belief in Carter Warren. I don’t see them taking a defensive player considering how they have approached this offseason. There isn’t a wide receiver who makes sense at 10 with the top three off the board.
The answer to their nightmare scenario is to set their sights once again on the offensive line and take Taliese Fuaga or Troy Fautanu and be happy for the peace of mind when it comes to injuries along their front five.
It won’t be an ideal pick because generally, you would like a top 10 pick to come in an contribute right away, and neither of those guys would supplant one of the current starters. It won’t be a sexy pick because there will be no video highlights all year that make the crowd go wild. But it will be a safe, responsible, and smart pick.
If things don’t fall the Jets way on draft night, the worst case for them is to select a player that will give them the ability to deal with an injury at a position where an injury is almost sure to happen. That’s a pretty good spot to be in.
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