One of the more intriguing NFL Draft prospects after his season-ending injury, Jordan Travis will now get to sit behind Aaron Rodgers to start his career. The New York Jets selected the former Florida State star in the fifth round last week as he continues to work his way back from a late-season ankle injury.
With training camp on the horizon, Travis provided an update on where he stands in his recovery.
“I feel great,” Travis told reporters Saturday. “Just focusing on today. Every day, I got rehab. Just giving my best. I’m just trying to get ready as fast as possible. Obviously, that’s the goal. Obviously, I want to be 100%, too. Just trying to get 100% and getting better every day.”
Travis suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle late in the 2023 season as Florida State eventually defeated North Alabama in November. That ended his senior campaign, but the Seminoles went on to win the ACC before just missing out on the College Football Playoff.
Out of eligibility, Travis declared for the draft, presenting an interesting case considering his injury. But the hope is he’ll be ready by training camp, and Jets head coach Robert Saleh said as much this week as New York gets ready for rookie minicamp.
“I feel like he’s kind of a ball of clay,” Saleh said. “He’s a tremendously talented young man and extremely gifted, especially athletically. He’s got a lot of work to do. He hasn’t even scratched the surface. He’s winning games doing things that were just pure athleticism, and if we can tie the football part to it, I think we’ve got ourselves a damn good player.”
What NFL Draft analysts said about Jordan Travis
One of the key negatives most NFL Draft analysts list for Travis is his size. He’s not a big quarterback by any means and, given the late-season injury, durability may also be a concern for some teams.
Still, there’s a lot to like, as the NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein said.
“In a career marked with challenges, Travis showed the resilience to overcome and finish his career playing his best football,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s undersized but has an adequate arm and can help protect himself with his legs. The footwork isn’t always great, but he can throw effectively and fairly accurately as an improviser.
“Travis doesn’t usually beat defenses with pre-snap planning or eye work and can be a step slow to get through progressions and throw with anticipation. He displays good leadership and desires to take care of the football. Travis’ traits don’t stand out, but his mobility and continued growth as a passer could give him a shot to compete for a spot as a QB2/3 if evaluations of his leg injury check out.”
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