New York Jets 2024 NFL draft picks: Selection analysis
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The 2024 NFL draftkicked off Thursday night from Detroit, and theNew York Jetstook offensive tackleOlumuyiwa Fashanuwith the No. 11 pick after trading down one spot.
Here's a look at each of New York's scheduled selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 11 overall:Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
My take: Not the sexy pick, but the right pick. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers would've garnered bigger headlines than Fashanu, but the need at offensive tackle trumped what would have been a luxury pick. This was general manager Joe Douglas pouring more resources into an injury-riddled line that allowed 64 sacks, including the one that endedAaron Rodgers' season on the fourth snap. Douglas acquired veterans Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and John Simpson in free agency, and now he has a highly skilled heir apparent at left tackle. Fashanu needs seasoning as a run-blocker, but he allowed only one sack at Penn State and was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.This marks the third time in the past five drafts that the Jets used a first-round pick on a lineman.
Will he start as a rookie?Not likely, but history says he will get playing time. Smith is a likely future Hall of Famer, but he has a long injury history. He hasn't played an entire season since 2015; he has missed an average of nine games per year over the past four seasons. While waiting in the wings, Fashanu can learn from one of the best pass-protectors of this generation and succeed him in 2025. It's not often that the 11th overall pick gets stashed on the bench, but at least the Jets have their long-term solution at the most important position on the line.
What we're hearing about Fashanu: The Jets also had high grades on offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga and Troy Fautanu, both of whom were available. What separated Fashanu? Douglas valued Fashanu because he's a natural left tackle, adding, "He has very low pressure rates playing in one of the top conferences in the country. He's just a really high-level, high-impact pass-protector. I don't think he gets enough credit for run-blocking." Coach Robert Saleh on adding yet another lineman: "You guys know me by now: O-line, D-line, the more the merrier."
What's next: Day 2 could be relatively quiet for the Jets, who don't have a second-round pick. It belongs to the Packers via the Rodgers trade. The Jets have one pick in the third round.
Round 3, No. 65: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
My take: The Jets have a new king -- the "YAC King," as Corley was known in college. They coveted him so much that they traded up seven spots, giving up a third-round pick (72) and a fifth-rounder (157). Rodgers gave his stamp of approval, telling Saleh via text that he's excited about Corley. He did two things exceptionally well in college: make yards after the catch and score touchdowns. From 2021 to 2023, he scored 29 receiving TDs (tied for the second most in the FBS) and racked up 2,068 yards after the catch, easily the most in the FBS. He's not a blazer (4.56 seconds in the 40), but he's a strong, violent runner, evoking comparisons to Deebo Samuel. The Jets' receivers didn't generate much YAC last season, so he should provide a needed dimension to the receiving corps. Corley is best out of the slot, but he can be used as a gadget player on screens and jet sweeps.
What we're hearing about Corley:Douglas wanted Corley so badly that he started trying to trade up for him in the middle of the second round, finally finding a taker (Carolina) at the top of the third round.
"[He's] elite with the ball in his hands," Saleh said. "He's an angry runner. We love his style of play. He's going to bring an added element that we don't have."
Saleh added, "I joked with Joe this morning, 'If [Corley] had a relative sitting at the goal line, he's just going to run him over.'"
Round 4, No. 134 (from Baltimore):Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
My take:A bit of a surprise, considering the Jets already have a terrific RB1, Breece Hall. Yes, they needed another backup to pair with 2023 draft pick Israel Abanikanda, and they opted for the 235-pound bruiser instead of a veteran free agent. Allen brings size and power to the position; he squatted 610 pounds as a freshman. He was the heaviest running back at scouting combine. His mindset: "I try to punish defenders." He befriended Derrick Henry via social media -- a pretty good resource for a "big" back. Allen rushed for 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns in a highly productive career at Wisconsin, which has produced some fantastic running backs. His numbers dipped last season with a new coaching staff. Allen will push Abanikanda, who rushed for 70 yards as a rookie. In Hall, Allen and Abanikanda, they have plenty of speed, power and youth. In fact, Allen, who doesn't turn 21 until Jan. 20, is the youngest player in the draft.
Round 5: No. 171: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
My take: Five days after tradingZach Wilson to the Denver Broncos, the Jets added a new face to the quarterback room. Travis is a long-term project, a developmental player who can learn from two wise heads, Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. It's an ideal situation for Travis, who, like Rodgers, is attempting to return from a major injury. In his case, it was a gruesome broken ankle last November, a devastating setback that ruined a storybook college season. Travis improved last season as a passer (20 TDs, two interceptions), but he still has a way to go. He has average arm strength, but he has exceptional movement skills. As he noted, "I'm a playmaker. I make plays when everything breaks down." Naturally, his surgically repaired ankle is a big question mark. He declined to give a timetable on when he'd be ready for football activities.
Round 5, No. 173 overall: Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
My take: Another running back on Day 3? This certainly should send a message to Abanikanda. The competition is on. Davis is an interesting pick. He absolutely dominated FCS competition, rushing for 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career. He led the FCS last season with 1,578 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. But can he make the jump to the NFL? At 6-foot, 218 pounds, he has an NFL body, but his speed (4.57 in the 40) is suspect. He came from a gap blocking scheme and will have to adjust to the Jets' zone-based scheme. He should be a terror on special teams, which is what you want out of a backup running back drafted in the fifth round.
Round 6, No. 176 overall: Qwan'tez Stiggers, CB, CFL (Toronto Argonauts)
My take: The Jets drafted three projects in the fifth round, none bigger than Stiggers, who has no college experience and played one season (2023) in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts. He was eligible for the NFL draft because he didn't attend college. He's extremely raw, but the tools are there. He has good size (5-foot-11, 203) and ran the 40 in 4.45 seconds at his pro day. For the Argos, he recorded five interceptions and was named most outstanding defensive rookie. He joins a loaded cornerback room, led by All-Pro Sauce Gardner. Stiggers is an ideal candidate for the practice squad, where he could continue his development.
Round 7,No. 257:Jaylen Key,S, Alabam
My take: Hello, Mr. Irrelevant -- the Jets' first since 1969. Key is a 6-1, 208-pound safety known for his physical style of play. He doesn't have great speed (4.6 in the 40), but his noted toughness will help him land a role on special teams. Key began his career at UAB, spending only one season at Alabama. He started 12 games for coach Nick Saban, but he didn't have much ball production -- only one interception and two passes defensed. The Jets' safety depth could have an opening or two. After incumbentTony Adams, they have veteran Chuck Clark and career backup Ashtyn Davis.
