With the NFL draft’s first round looming just a week away, the New York Jets find themselves in an advantageous position to acquire a player who could make an immediate impact on their roster. As they strategize their approach, there are a couple of avenues they could pursue.
Given the exceptional talent pool of wide receivers available this year, selecting one of the top prospects or potentially standout tight end Brock Bowers could significantly bolster their offensive firepower, particularly benefiting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Alternatively, they could prioritize shoring up their offensive line to provide better protection for their quarterback, a deficiency from the previous season.
In Matt Verderame’s recent mock draft for Sports Illustrated, he predicts the Jets will opt for the latter route, selecting Olumuyiwa Fashanu from Penn State. Fashanu, a 6-foot-6, 312-pound offensive tackle, boasts an impressive track record as a two-year starter and recent recipient of the Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year award and first-team All-American honors. The Jets have been actively evaluating options at offensive tackle, having held discussions with JC Lathum and hosting Troy Fautanu for a visit.
For fans eager to see the Jets bolster their skill positions, Verderame notes that the top three wide receivers are likely to be off the board by the 10th pick, leaving Bowers as the lone elite option available. Many voices advocate for drafting the talented tight end. However, given the significant struggles the Jets faced on the offensive line in the previous season, it appears prudent to prioritize selecting one of the top linemen in this draft class to secure the future of their tackle position and fortify their roster.
