Three biggest concerns for the New York Jets ahead of the draft

Despite ending the year on a six-game losing streak, the New York Jets made significant progress under second-year head coach Robert Saleh. Adding a Hall of Fame quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, which New York is expected to do, just may be what snaps the franchise’s 12-year playoff drought.

Here are the Jets’ three biggest concerns ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft:

1. How will the potential Aaron Rodgers trade play out?

Rodgers went on the record stating he plans to play for the Jets in 2023. The problem, however, is both sides remain in a stalemate over Green Bay’s asking price. Reports indicate the Packers want a first-round pick and more for Rodgers, while the Jets appear unwilling to part with the 13th overall pick this year—a piece the Packers are adamant on getting in return.

New York does have two second-round picks in 2023 plus its first rounder in 2024 (one that is likely to be significantly later than 13th overall) that could be offered for Rodgers’ services, in addition to receivers Corey Davis and Denzel Mims who could be thrown in as sweeteners in any deal. It seems like a deal will eventually get done, but how long will things drag out before it does?

2. Do they take an offensive lineman in the first two rounds?

Right now, the Jets have three picks in the top 43 and it’s likely at least one or potentially two could be used on an offensive lineman. Three of the team’s five starting jobs appear to be open and three of the team’s top linemen—Mekhi Becton (knee), Alijah Vera-Tucker (triceps) and Duane Brown (shoulder)—are all coming off of surgery.

One or more of Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. and Georgia’s Broderick Jones could be available at No. 13, making it awfully hard for the Jets to say no. Should they go a different direction in Round 1, there are plenty of other second-round options including Tennessee’s Darnell Wright, Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison, Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan, North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch and Ohio State’s Dawand Jones.

3. Are they serious contenders for Odell Beckham Jr.?

Garrett Wilson has New York’s No. 1 receiver job locked down, but what about after the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year? Elijah Moore is now in Cleveland and Braxton Berrios is in Miami. Both Corey Davis and Denzel Mims are still in the picture, but they're in the final year of their respective contracts, and the team just signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman.

Is there even room for Beckham Jr., who likely doesn’t want to sign anywhere he’d have to play second or third fiddle? While he is reportedly “leaning toward” the Jets, even reportedly discussing a contract with them, a case could be made—especially if Rodgers is the QB—that New York might be better off adding a receiver with one of its second-round picks (Zay Flowers, Josh Downs, Jayden Reed, Rashee Rice) or its fourth rounder (Malik Knowles, Jonathan Mingo, Marvin Mims, A.T. Perry) than handing Beckham Jr. a potential big-money deal.