The Jets entered the 2023–24 offseason with arguably more needs on the offensive side of the ball than any other team. Coming off a second consecutive seven-win season that featured one of the worst offenses in the league, New York came into the 2024 National Football League (NFL) Draft looking to add offensive talent. The number one need for the Aaron Rodgers-led unit was an offensive line help to keep the soon-to-be 40-year-old quarterback on his feet. In total, the Jets used four of their six selections on offensive players. Let’s take a look at who they came away with.
Round 1, No. 11 Overall: Olu Fashanu (OT, Penn State)
Desperate for offensive line help to keep Aaron Rodgers upright and healthy, the Jets used their top pick to take one of the highest-upside players in the draft. One of the youngest prospects in the class, Olu Fashanu, out of Penn State, was a consensus All-American in 2023 as a senior. He was also named first-team All-Big Ten after being a second-team selection in 2022 and was named the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year. He should help the Jets on NFL betting lines in 2024.
Despite that, Fashanu was a bit of a surprise at #11. Many scouts had Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State and Troy Fautanu out of Washington as the better tackles, both still available when the Jets picked. However, both potentially project better as guards or centers, while Fashanu has the highest upside at tackle of the group. Fashanu may play right tackle in 2024 if Tyron Smith is healthy enough to play left tackle after signing with the Jets this year.
Round 3, No. 65 Overall: Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky)
Without a second-round pick, New York’s next pick fell to #65 overall in the third round, selecting Malachi Corley. Like Fashanu, this pick was an upside pick, as Corley is a raw prospect at wide receiver who originally played running back. Aside from Garrett Wilson, the Jets have struggled to find a #2 receiver for Rodgers. Allen Lazard struggled last year to fill that role, and free agent signee Mecole Hardman was out of the locker room before the season even ended. New York is hoping that Corley can step into that role, and Rodgers was pleased to see the Jets take him.
Round 4, No. 134 Overall: Braelon Allen (RB, Wisconsin)
The first of back-to-back running backs for the Jets, Allen is a talented back who can back up Breece Hall. He fell in the draft thanks to his size (nearly 240 pounds) and age. At just 20 years old, Allen remains one of the most raw prospects in the draft. However, the former Wisconsin Badger was a three-year starter at Wisconsin, rushing for over 1,200 yards twice, including as an 18-year-old freshman. He could be a nice change of pace back alongside Hall.
Round 5, No. 173 Overall: Isaiah Davis (RB, South Dakota State)
Davis is one of the most decorated players of this draft class, winning two Football Championship Series (FCS) National Championships with South Dakota State and being named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) twice. He was a first-team FCS All-American in 2023 and the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the MVFC. The Joplin, Missouri native ran a 4.57 40-yard dash and could be the #3 back in a Jets offense desperate for weapons.
Round 5, No. 177 Overall: Qwan’tez Stiggers (CB, CFL)
After four consecutive offensive picks, the Jets finally turned to the defensive side of the ball, drafting Qwan’tez Stiggers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Stiggers is a rare NFL draftee who didn’t play college football in the United States, instead opting to play in the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) league rather than going to college. He was then signed by the Toronto Argonauts in 2023, where he won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award and was an All-Star thanks to five interceptions. He will join a Jets defense littered with talent and could become a rotational defensive back in sub packages.
Round 7, No. 257 Overall: Jaylen Key (S, Alabama)
With their final pick in this year’s draft, the Jets selected Jaylen Key, a safety out of Alabama. With the size and length of an NFL safety, he brings size and strength to the defensive backfield and can line up over tight ends. He is a good tackler but struggles in coverage and is slow to turn his hips. He figures to be a special teamer if he makes the team at all.
How Does The Jets Draft Grade?
While New York did come away with a lot of offensive talent, it also featured a few (arguably) questionable decisions. Fans may have preferred to see more offensive linemen drafted, but adding multiple running backs was a bit of a head-scratcher. The 2021 NFL Draft saw the Kansas City Chiefs take Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, both Pro Bowl caliber players, in the later rounds, so it is possible to build an offensive line in a single draft. Instead, the Jets opted for more running backs than offensive linemen. Still, with Fashanu now anchoring the offensive line, New York should give Rodgers more help in 2024.
