After defeating the Philadelphia Eagles for their only victory in franchise history, optimism was flowing for the New York Jets. The team got back to a winning record after defeating the Giants. The defense continued to make history. Aaron Rodgers gave fans hope for a potential playoff push. Then they played the Chargers on Monday Night Football. The loss started a four-game losing streak for the Jets. Now their 4-3 record fell to 4-7 after losing to Miami on Black Friday. From playoff hopefuls to looking at the 2024 draft is a tough blow for the team. The 2024 NFL Draft has a lot of interesting prospects. But, what draft prospects should the team look towards to help their offense? The 1st round of the NFL Draft has some exciting prospects to help the New York Jets in 2024.
1st Round Prospects to Help the New York Jets in 2024
Friday’s loss against Miami places the Jets in line for a Top 10 draft pick. Before the remainder of Week 12 continues, the New York Jets are projected to hold the eighth overall pick. They will be the second AFC East team picking in the top 10 thanks to the New England Patriots struggles this season. Fortunately, there are options in the top ten to give Aaron Rodgers help when he returns.
Brock Bowers, tight end, University of Georgia
In an offensive-heavy draft class, Brock Bowers is arguably the most talented non-quarterback player in this draft class(who isn’t Marvin Harrison). At 6 ft 4 in and 240 lbs, Brock has all the size you’re looking for in a tight end. Brock’s father played center at Utah State University, so he has the size to absorb NFL hits. Bowers has played a large role in Georgia’s offense since arriving in Athens. Bowers had 880 receiving yards with 13 touchdown catches as a freshman. He followed that up with his first 1,000 scrimmage yard season and 1st team All American Honors. Bowers being a focal point for back-to-back national championships shows the kind of impact he can have in the right situation. Imagine the kind of red zone potential New York can have with Bowers joining Rodgers, Wilson, and Hall in this offense.
If you thought the 2023 Tight End class was good, wait till you see Brock Bowers. pic.twitter.com/m9y5s09e4f
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) May 21, 2023
Joe Alt, offensive tackle, Notre Dame
When you wonder how the offense has fallen apart for the Jets, you’re main culprit is not Zach Wilson. It’s the offensive line. New York has used 11 different offensive line combinations this season. The second year in a row they lost Alijah Vera-Tucker to an injury in Denver. The Jets need help in the trenches.
Joe Alt looked like OT1 against OSU and JT Tuimoloau. A brickwall in pass pro with Reed Richards arm length and a bulldozer in the run game. Still only 20 years old. pic.twitter.com/OGvdhKzMX7
— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) November 13, 2023
With Olu Fashnu being gone before the 5th overall pick, New York can still grab a generational talent. Joe Alt could be the left tackle Jets fans have longed for since D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Alt has protected the blind side at Notre Dame for three years straight. Size is valuable for linemen, and few can compare to the 6ft 8in and 322 lb frame of Alt. Adding Alt to the left side can allow Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker to remain on the right side of the line to create running lanes for Breece Hall.
Malik Nabers, wide receiver, Louisiana State University
Unfortunately, the New York Jets have struggled to put a competent offense together once Rodgers got hurt. Simultaneously, another culprit has been the lackluster production of Allen Lazard. Within 10 games, Allen Lazard has only 20 catches for 290 yards and one touchdown. When you add his seven dropped passes this year, it’s been a disastrous first season for the big off-season target.
Aaron Rodgers will need another option at wide receiver next to Garrett Wilson if the Jets want a shot at the playoffs next year. LSU’s Jayden Daniels had turned his college career around since he got to play with Malik Nabers. 14 of Daniels’ 40 touchdown passes went to Nabers. The 6-foot Louisiana native has back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, finishing with 1,546 yards. The success of LSU wide receivers in recent years with the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson had changed the offenses in Cincinnati and Minnesota. Pairing Nabers next to Wilson would be a great combination at wide receiver to help Aaron Rodgers.
One of the best catches you'll see. The best receiver in football.
Give that man the Biletnikoff @whyguard13 pic.twitter.com/9yXWBlLTmG
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 25, 2023
Drafting a quarterback on Day 2???
As a result of the Aaron Rodgers trade, the Green Bay Packers own the New York Jets’ second-round pick. After their first-round pick, New York won’t pick again until the third round. Regardless, one thing is clear. New York must get a quarterback prospect at some point in the draft. Year three of Zach Wilson has once again brought diminished results and Tim Boyle proved why he never should be a starter in the NFL. At 40 years old, Aaron Rodgers is in the twilight of his prime and the team has to think long term.
Fortunately, this is one of the better quarterback draft classes in recent memory. With as many as five quarterbacks projected to be picked in the first round, the Jets can still grab a long-term project to learn under Aaron Rodgers. Few names are more enticing on day two of the draft than Michael Pratt out of Tulane.
Michael Pratt is a large reason why Tulane University has gone 23-3 the past two seasons. Pratt has thrown for 89 touchdown passes through his 4 seasons as a starter. Pratt had impressed scouts with his game-winning drive against USC in the Cotton Bowl. Pratt made news recently becoming the first player to accept an invite to the Senior Bowl. Injuries slowed Pratt down including missing the game against Ole Miss in September. The loss is the only game Pratt missed thus far, making him 10-0 as a starter as of now. His leadership and playmaking abilities make him a great prospect for Aaron Rodgers to mentor.
Sunday throw from Michael Pratt.
QB is going to be fun to watch at the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/UfWLCuGbpP
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) November 24, 2023
Main Photo: [Vincent Carchietta] – USA Today Sports
