In a recent mock draft, the New York Jets are projected to trade down from the No. 7 overall pick to the No. 10 spot, currently held by the Chicago Bears. With that pick, the Jets are expected to select a versatile and highly touted playmaker. With the addition of Justin Fields at quarterback, this trade could benefit the Jets and give Fields a new target the Jets offense desperately needs.
New York Jets’ Current Roster and Needs
The Jets addressed their quarterback situation by signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in free agency. His deal was structured so that his cap hit for 2025 is only $8 million, while the team still has to pay $37.5 million to Aaron Rodgers, who has been designated as a post-June 1 release.
With Fields at the helm, drafting a dynamic receiver or tight end would boost a passing game that lost Davante Adams and could see starting tight end Tyler Conklin sign with the Houston Texans. The team’s big free-agent signing in 2023, Allen Lazard, has woefully underperformed, while 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson remains the clear-cut WR1. With Lazard struggling, the Jets must find a reliable complement to Wilson.
Jets Trade Down to Select Versatile Playmaker
In a mock draft for PFSN, Anthony Pasciolla has the Jets trading down to the No. 10 pick, swapping first-rounders with the Chicago Bears. With that selection, Pasciolla has New York taking one of the most versatile tight ends in the 2025 draft class, Penn State’s Tyler Warren.
Pasciolla writes, “Tyler Warren is a terrific receiving tight end, but he’s also a capable and willing blocker. A duo of Garrett Wilson and Warren could cause serious trouble for opposing secondaries, especially when Fields escapes the pocket and starts scrambling.”
At Penn State, Warren set school records with 98 receptions for 1,158 yards in a single season. His ability to create separation and win contested catches makes him a valuable red-zone asset.
Warren’s leadership and work ethic have been praised by coaches, earning him the John Mackey Award in 2024. At 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds, Warren presents a massive mismatch for defenders, giving Fields a reliable target in key situations.
Why Trading Down Makes Sense for the Jets
Trading down from No. 7 to No. 10 allows the Jets to address a key offensive need while also gaining additional draft capital.
As the current draft order stands, only one of the six teams ahead of the Jets—the Jacksonville Jaguars—would likely be interested in drafting Warren. Meanwhile, the two teams picking directly after the Jets—the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints—are expected to target other positions.
While the Jets also need to replace starting tackle Morgan Moses, who signed with the New England Patriots in free agency, adding a high-upside playmaker like Warren could prove too tempting to pass up in the first round.
Tyler Warren’s Impact on the Jets’ Offense
In his scouting report on Warren, PFSN’s Reese Decker notes, “Beyond being a dominant receiving threat, Warren brings a physical, downhill running style, thanks to his experience as both a running back and option quarterback. His punishing yet savvy ball-carrying ability creates additional creative opportunities.”
Fields has excelled in an RPO-style offense, and with Warren’s background as a former quarterback, Jets fans could salivate at the possibilities. Opposing defenses might have to account for Warren taking handoffs from Fields or even lining up under center himself to execute run-pass options.
Warren is an exciting prospect for the Jets as the team tries to move forward in Aaron Glenn’s first season as head coach and officially close the book on the Aaron Rodgers era.