The New York Jets‘ 2023 playoff hopes came crashing down when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on the fourth play of the season. However, the 2024 NFL Draft will give Gang Green a fresh opportunity to add young talent to its veteran-laden roster.
How will the Jets proceed as they bolster their depth chart around Rodgers? We used Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to find out in a 7-Round 2024 Jets Mock Draft.
New York Jets 2024 NFL Draft Picks
With no second or fifth-round selections coming into the draft, the Jets must be amenable to moving down and acquiring more capital. Thus, we took a similar strategy in our mock draft.
- Round 1, Pick 17 (mock trade with JAX): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
- Round 2, Pick 54 (mock trades with JAX and CLE): Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
- Round 3, Pick 72: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
- Round 3, Pick 85 (mock trade with CLE): Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
- Round 4, Pick 111: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
- Round 4, Pick 134 (from BAL): Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona State
- Round 7, Pick 256: Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
- Round 7, Pick 257: Kingsley Eguakun, C, Florida
New York Jets 7-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 17: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Mock trade: Jets acquire No. 17 and No. 58 from the Jacksonville Jaguars for No. 10 and No. 185.
Lacking a second-round pick entering the draft, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is reportedly hoping to score an offer from a team aiming to move into the No. 10 slot. In our mock draft, that proposal came from the Jaguars, who wanted to move up for Alabama CB Terrion Arnold.
After trading down and picking up a late second-rounder, Gang Green lands another weapon for Rodgers by nabbing Brian Thomas Jr. The LSU product averaged more than 17 yards per target in 2023 while leading the NCAA in receiving touchdowns (17) before blowing up the Scouting Combine with a 4.33 40-yard dash and 9.97 Relative Athletic Score.
Round 2, Pick 54: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
Mock trade: Jets acquire No. 54 and No. 85 from Cleveland Browns for No. 48 and 2025 fourth-round pick.
Rodgers is entering his age-40 season, while the Jets, Douglas, and head coach Robert Saleh face a make-or-break campaign. New York has no choice but to optimize around Rodgers — and that means being willing to trade 2025 draft capital for more immediate picks.
The Jets signed former San Francisco 49ers DT Javon Kinaw to a one-year deal this offseason but could stand to add more interior depth behind All-Pro Quinnen Williams. Kris Jenkins, nicknamed “The Mutant” for his athletic capabilities, can bring another dose of pass-rushing prowess and run-stopping acumen to his father’s old team.
Round 3, Pick 72: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
While Roger Rosengarten doesn’t have the athletic upside of his Huskies OL teammate Troy Fautanu, he was a reliable presence along a Washington front five that won the 2023 Joe Moore Award as the nation’s top offensive line.
MORE: Is the 2024 NFL Draft Offensive Line Class One of the Best Ever?
Rosengarten started 27 games at right tackle over the past two seasons but could play guard in the NFL. That versatility could work for the Jets, who have aging tackles in Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and guards — Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson — with question marks.
Round 3, Pick 85: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Three Jets safeties who played at least 200 snaps in 2023 — Jordan Whitehead, Adrian Amos, and Ashtyn Davis — are no longer in New York. Gang Green re-signed Chuck Clark to play alongside Tony Adams, but the former Baltimore Raven is recovering from a torn ACL.
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson can play in single-high or two-high concepts, showing off his ability as a processor and communicator. He’s also spent time in the slot, giving the Jets insurance behind incumbent nickel corner Michael Carter II.
Round 4, Pick 111: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Brock Bowers has been a popular mock draft target for the Jets this offseason, and the club could stand to bring in another TE even if they miss out on the Georgia product in Round 1. Veteran New York tight end Tyler Conklin is in the final year of his contract, while 2023 third-rounder Jeremy Rucket caught only 16 passes in his rookie campaign.
Enter Theo Johnson, who received just 45 targets at Penn State last season but could have untapped upside. His 40-time (4.57 seconds), vertical (39.5”), broad jump (10’5”), and 20-yard shuttle (4.19 seconds) at 6’6″ and 259 pounds brought back memories of former All-Pro TE Jimmy Graham.
Round 4, Pick 134: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona State
Viewed as a Day 3 pick entering the offseason, Jacob Cowing can move into Day 2 after a solid Shrine Bowl performance that showed off his quick-twitch ability. He has physical limitations at 5’8″ and 165 pounds, but those concerns can be reduced in the slot, where Cowing spent three-quarters of his snaps in college.
Again, maximizing the next one or two seasons with Rodgers under center has to be the Jets’ priority. Giving the future Hall of Famer a set of pass catchers that includes three rookies in Thomas, Johnson, and Cowing, plus Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, should do the trick.
Round 7, Pick 256: Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
Unless the Jets make another trade, they won’t pick again until the very end of the draft. At this point, we’ll send New York another RB option who could compete with Israel Abanikanda to play behind starter Breece Hall.
Dillon Johnson has the size (6’0″, 215) to play an every-down role and handled 233 carries for the Huskies last season. He wouldn’t be asked to be a bell-cow with Hall in town, but Johnson could become a goal-line option early in his career.
Round 7, Pick 257: Kingsley Eguakun, C, Florida
The Jets hope they landed their long-term center by drafting second-rounder Joe Tippman in 2023, but there’s no reason New York can’t think about more depth along the interior offensive line.
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Kingsley Eguakun started 26 games as Florida’s center from 2021 to 2022 but will need to get stronger to play at the NFL level. Adding flexibility as a guard/center option could help Mr. Irrevelant’s pro chances, too.
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