Jets 2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Brock Bowers a popular name to watch at No. 10
We’re just over a month away from the 2024 NFL Draft which is set to take place in Detroit this year.
This draft is a big one for the Jets as they look to get themselves back into playoff contention with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers healthy and back under center.
After their recent additions to their offensive line, experts are a bit torn on who General Manager Joe Douglas will target with the tenth overall pick.
Here’s a look at the Jets’ first-round selection in the latest mock drafts…
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
The Jets were hoping one of the top wide receivers would fall to them, but when that didn’t happen, their options narrowed to Bowers or an offensive lineman. They have their starting five locked in, after adding LT Tyron Smith, LG John Simpson and RT Morgan Moses this offseason. Smith is injury-prone, though, and neither he nor Moses is under contract beyond this year — so an O-line pick can’t be ruled out. But the Jets need more weapons, and Bowers was the best one on the board. He’s more than just a tight end and would pair nicely with Tyler Conklin. Aaron Rodgers would be happy, too.
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
The Jets have to maximize their window with 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, that’s what I keep coming back to. So they were able to sign LT Tyron Smith to a one-year deal, who’s the player they could take here to make the most immediate impact? For me, it’s Bowers, a tremendous pass-catching tight end who could elevate the offense and provide a safety blanket for Rodgers.
Either way, this draft will be a delicate balance for GM Joe Douglas, who has to think about the future while also trying to win now with Rodgers. That’s also why I wouldn’t rule out a tackle here; Smith and RT Morgan Moses, who the Jets acquired in a trade last week, will be free agents in 2025. It’s a tough challenge for Douglas.
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
I think the smart decision for the Jets, both for this all-in season and the future, would be to add one of the talented offensive line prospects in this draft and give themselves the double-whammy of a potential strong starter and actual depth at a position where it’s been needed for so long.
That’s the smart decision. But Bowers is the fun decision, and after signing a handful of offensive line free agents this offseason, in this scenario the Jets decide to keep juicing up their passing attack and give Aaron Rodgers a souped-up version of Jermichael Finley. I recently wrote about how Bowers is an offensive weapon and not just a tight end, and with the top three wide receivers off the board, Bowers can work with Garrett Wilson to create matchup advantages, with Mike Williams as the isolated X receiver and Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert available to do the dirty work required of typical tight ends. Bowers would be an exciting piece to help the Jets try and push their contendership over the top.
OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
The trade for Morgan Moses takes care of the right tackle spot, so the Jets can turn their attention to the other side of the O-line at the draft. It would seem natural for the Jets to explore a signing of David Bakhtiari once he is healthy, given his track record of high-level play and familiarity with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but for now, left tackle is priority No. 1.
The Jets took 64 sacks last season -- tied for fourth most -- and their QB is coming off a torn Achilles. Fashanu has the goods to be a starter for a long time in the NFL. I see really good power and quickness on tape from the 6-6 blocker. And drafting Fashanu would allow New York to keep Alijah Vera-Tucker.
(Update: The Jets signed Tyron Smith, but given his durability concerns, I'm sticking with this pick.)
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
The Jets should be doing backflips here being able to add a player like Odunze as another weapon for Aaron Rodgers after improving the OL in free agency.
WR Marvin Harrison, Ohio State
* Trade up with Chargers for No. 5 *
The Jets are all-in with a veteran quarterback and they recently acquired two offensive tackles to shore up the O-line. They desperately need another playmaker in the passing game to complement Garrett Wilson, so they trade up to select Harrison, the top receiver in the draft and Wilson’s former Ohio State teammate.
