Jets NFL Draft big board: Top prospects to watch at No. 10 and in all 7 rounds

Call him Trader Joe.

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas has been active on the trade market this offseason, both importing talent (defensive end Haason Reddick, offensive tackle Morgan Moses) and trading it away (quarterback Zach Wilson). Douglas also pursued former Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in March before he was dealt to the Cleveland Browns — even though the Jets actually offered more draft compensation.

Eventually, Douglas signed free agent Mike Williams to fill the wide receiver void next to Garrett Wilson without having to trade any draft capital for him.

Ahead of the NFL Draft, I’ve heard that Douglas is not done making moves, either. The Jets are actively looking into scenarios in which they’d trade up or trade back from No. 10 depending on how the top of the draft plays out — and they might not be done with player-for-draft-pick trades, either.

Remember: The Jets are tight up against the cap. The official NFLPA report has the Jets with $1.9 million in space before the Wilson deal, and Over the Cap has them with $2.8 million including Wilson.

That’s all why predicting what the Jets will do at No. 10 — and beyond — is so complicated: The Jets’ draft picks slots could look different by Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday.

But for now, the draft is a day away. Let’s take one last look at who the Jets are most likely to draft at No. 10, and some prospects projected for Day 2 and Day 3 who would make sense as potential targets.

Jets’ draft picks

Most likely at No. 10

1. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

He remains the betting favorite for the Jets if they stick at No. 10 because he’s the most likely to be available of their top targets and because the team thinks so highly of him. There’s some skepticism that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett can figure out how to use a jack-of-all-trades weapon like Bowers, but his talent level is unquestioned and Aaron Rodgers would surely be happy with this pick. There are legit questions about the value of taking a tight end at No. 10, but many around the league think Bowers is worth it. I also wouldn’t be shocked if he doesn’t actually make it to No. 10.

2. WR Rome Odunze, Washington

On the outside chance that Odunze falls to No. 10 — many experts didn’t think Garrett Wilson would make it to No. 10 in 2022, but he did — I don’t see how the Jets could pass on picking him. Odunze is the most complete prospect of the three elite wide receivers in this draft class and by all accounts is a great locker-room guy, too. The Jets would have one of the most talented wide receiver trios in the league if they could reel him in.

3. OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

If the Jets do go offensive line, Fautanu might be the best option for what they need. He has Alijah Vera-Tucker-esque versatility with the ability to play any position on the offensive line, and the Jets need better depth in a bad way — especially with the injury questions attached to Vera-Tucker, left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle Morgan Moses. Fautanu is good enough to even push left guard John Simpson or Moses for starting jobs right away. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks him ninth overall in this draft class.

4. OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

Fuaga was the early favorite for the Jets pick before they added Smith and Moses, but it still can’t be ruled out. He might be more of a right tackle but some believe he could kick inside and play guard, too. He is one of the most ready-to-play prospects on the offensive line, which is important.

5. WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Brugler ranked him 15th overall but said on The Athletic’s “Can’t Wait” podcast that it would be defensible to pick Thomas this high if the Jets value him this way. They did a lot of work on Thomas in the pre-draft process, including hosting him for a top-30 visit, and he would fit perfectly as a deep threat in an offense with Wilson and Williams. Brugler compared him to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.

6. OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

The Jets would also have a hard time passing on Alt, if he fell to No. 10. He’s the consensus top tackle prospect and has the skills to develop into the Jets’ left tackle for the next decade — without having to be rushed into the starting lineup right away as a rookie, though available to fill in if Smith misses time. Brugler wrote that the 6-foot-8 Alt “projects as a first-year, scheme-versatile starter with the pedigree to be a cornerstone player for an NFL franchise.”

7. OT JC Latham, Alabama

He’s young (21) and has only played right tackle but is viewed as one of the higher-ceiling offensive tackle prospects in this class because of his combination of size and athleticism. Brugler said he also is projected to be a guard by some teams.

8. OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

Fuaga and Latham played only right tackle in college, but Fashanu played only left tackle. So it really depends on what flavor the Jets are looking for at tackle — and whether they believe Fashanu (or the others) are capable of playing on the opposite side in the NFL.

(As a side note: I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Jets drafting a defensive end early. Maybe not in Round 1, but Round 2/3 — especially if it’s a defensive end who has the versatility to slide inside on occasion, like Missouri’s Darius Robinson or Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland, who took a top-30 visit with the Jets.)

Potential targets if they trade up from No. 10: WR Marvin Harrison (Ohio State), WR Malik Nabers (LSU), Odunze, Alt.

Potential targets if they trade back from No. 10: Thomas, Fuaga, Fautanu, Latham, Fashanu, Kneeland, Robinson, OT Amarius Mims (Georgia), OL Graham Barton (Duke), OT Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma State), OT Patrick Paul (Houston), OL Jordan Morgan (Arizona), WR Ladd McConkey (Georgia), WR Keon Coleman (Florida State).

Day 2 prospects to watch

WR Brenden Rice, USC: The Jets hosted Jerry Rice’s son for a top-30 visit. He has a good combination of size and speed and would serve as a solid insurance policy for Mike Williams.

WR Malachi Corley, Washington State: He’s a compact, gadget-type receiver in the Deebo Samuel mold who can make things happen after the catch. Adding him wouldn’t bode well for Xavier Gipson’s role. The Jets hosted Corley for a top-30 visit.

WR Roman Wilson, Michigan: He’s a speedy slot receiver who stood out at the Senior Bowl playing for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s team. He also visited the Jets.

WR Troy Franklin, Oregon: He’s a big-play weapon before and after the catch and Brugler compared him to DJ Chark. He also visited the Jets.

OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame: Brugler ranks him as the 11th-best tackle prospect in this class and compared him to Titans tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere as a developmental prospect. He played both left and right tackle in college.

OT Christian Jones, Texas: He makes sense as a target in the third round, a player Brugler projects to be a swing tackle in the NFL. The Jets need an upgrade at swing tackle.

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OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington: Another tackle prospect who can play both right and left tackle and projects immediately as a swing tackle with the potential to be much more than that down the line.

OT Brandon Coleman, TCU: I projected Coleman to the Jets in my final mock draft. He has the traits to stick at tackle or bump inside to guard and that versatility is ideal for the Jets in 2024.

OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale: He’s a developmental prospect with the athletic/size tools to become a high-end starter down the line. He just might not be ready to contribute right away.

DT Maason Smith, LSU: The Jets hosted Smith on a top-30 visit and could use some added depth at defensive tackle — as well as someone to develop into a starter next to Quinnen Williams long-term. Smith is 6-5, 306 and has an impressive combo of size and movement skills.

S Jaden Hicks, Washington State: Considered by many as the top safety prospect in this class. The Jets not only hosted him on a top-30 visit but privately worked him out, too. He has the talent to step in right away as the Jets’ No. 3 safety and push for a starting job — even after Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis were re-signed.

RB Trey Benson, Florida State: The Jets were interested in Jahmyr Gibbs last year and they have no depth behind Breece Hall at the moment, so a running back early can’t be ruled out. Brugler compares Benson to Melvin Gordon III and he’d be an intriguing complement to Hall.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: If the Jets are as interested in Bowers as rumors indicate, and they don’t land him, Douglas could consider adding a different tight end. Sanders is widely viewed as the second-best player at the position in this class with “dynamic talent before, during and after the catch,” per Brugler.

LB Payton Wilson, N.C. State: He was a standout at the Senior Bowl where Ulbrich was coaching and the Jets could use a long-term option to develop behind C.J. Mosley at linebacker.

Tulane’s Michael Pratt could provide depth at quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. (Matthew Hinton / USA Today)

Day 3 prospects to watch

QB Michael Pratt, Tulane: The Jets hosted him for a top-30 visit. He has the talent to develop into a high-end backup down the line who could be a decent starter in the right system.

QB Jordan Travis, Florida State: He’s a dual-threat quarterback but coming off a significant leg injury and is a bit undersized. The Jets hosted him on a top-30 visit.

RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee: The Jets should be looking for a backup running back with the potential to help in the passing game as both a receiver and blocker and Wright fits the bill.

RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin: Brugler compared him to Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier for his size (6-1, 235) and his third-down potential as a strong complement to a fast-starting running back like Hall.

RB Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss: His dad played for the Jets and the younger Gore was wildly productive in college (3,737 rushing yards, 58 touchdowns).

RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State: The Jets reportedly hosted Davis for a visit. Brugler compared him to Alexander Mattison and wrote that he “runs tough and balanced.”

WR Malik Washington, Virginia: He’s small (5-8) but explosive and adept both before and after the catch. An intriguing potential gadget/slot weapon.

WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina: The Jets hosted him for a visit. He’s a down-the-field threat on the outside but projects as more of a complementary weapon than a featured target, which is fine since the Jets already have talent at receiver.

WR Jalen McMillan, Washington: One of three talented UW receivers in this class. He projects as a reliable slot receiver in the Jakobi Meyers mold.

TE Theo Johnson, Penn State: He has the measurements (6-6, 259) and athletic tools to develop into a weapon at tight end.

TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona: He has good hands (zero drops in 2023) and speed but is still developing as a blocker and route runner.

OT Caedan Wallace, Penn State: He projects as a swing tackle in the NFL and the Jets need all the depth they can get on the offensive line.

OT Giovanni Manu, University of British Columbia: He is a true project that won’t be ready to play for a while but the Jets hosted him for a top-30 visit and he could be worth developing long-term as a Round 6 or Round 7 selection.

OL Mason McCormick, South Dakota State: Brugler projects him as a Day 1 top backup at all three interior offensive line spots and the Jets need that sort of versatility.

OL Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin: He was teammates with Jets center Joe Tippmann at Wisconsin and would be an ideal backup center to develop behind his friend if the Jets get him later in the draft.

DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas: Sweat was arrested earlier this month on a charge of driving while intoxicated. But he has a lot of talent, so if the Jets dig into his background and are comfortable with what they find, he’s worth considering.

Edge Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State: The Jets hosted him for a top-30 visit. He doesn’t have ideal size for an edge (6-1, 248) but he projects as a “high-effort rotational edge rusher” per Brugler.

Edge Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame: Another top-30 visitor. He’s 6-4 but weighs only 239 in the Will McDonald mold. He projects more as a Round 7/priority free-agent prospect.

LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State: He visited the Jets, too. He filled up the stat sheet in college (252 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, two interceptions combined the last two years) and would add depth behind C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams.

S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest: The Jets could use another safety and Brugler compared him to former Jet Jordan Whitehead, who signed with the Buccaneers this offseason.

S Evan Williams, Oregon: The Jets hosted Williams on a top-30 visit. Brugler projects him as as “a backup strong safety and core special teamer.”

CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CFL: He’s a raw prospect who needs a lot of development but has intriguing potential. The Jets have the infrastructure to bring him in and allow him to sit and learn from an elite cornerback group and top-level cornerbacks coach (Tony Oden).

(Top photo of Troy Fautanu: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)