Here we are again. As a Jets fan, the NFL Draft has been one of my favorite times of the year. And this year, the New York Jets are looking to flip the script on a thirteen season playoff draught. Let’s take a look at each pick through the first five rounds and how they can contribute to the team.
No. 11 (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
After trading No. 10 & 203 to the Vikings for No. 11, 129, & 157, the Jets selected offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. It’s no secret that the Jets offensive line struggled to hold up during the 2023-24 season. Fashanu, who allowed 0 sacks and only 10 pressures in his 2023 season with the Nittany Lions, will be a much needed addition to a risky offensive line that includes two veteran tackles the Jets shored up in free agency. Although many Jets fans considered Brock Bowers to be a lock if available (myself included), Fashanu will prove to be a great addition to what many considered to be our weakest link last season.
No. 65 (via Panthers): Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
After another trade swapped the Jets’ No. 72 & 157 picks with the Panthers’ No. 65, the Jets selected Malachi Corley in the third round. Known as “the YAC King” for an impressive 9.2 average yards after catch over his last two seasons, Corley should be able to step into a dangerous receiving core alongside Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams to contribute meaningfully to the offense. With Aaron Rodgers set to return this season, I could not be more excited to see how Corley fits into our passing game.
No. 134 (via Ravens): Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
The Jets scooped up prospective RB Braelon Allen in the fourth round. At 6’1, 235 lbs, and only 20 years old, Allen has significant upside potential. Allen should be able to leverage his size to have at least some impact on our offense in pass blocking this season. This is something the Jets desperately need as they try to protect our savior, Aaron Rodgers. And at only 20 years old, I have to believe he has a lot of room to grow, both in size and in maturity.
No. 171 (via Eagles): Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
I did not see this coming. Travis was the starting QB on an undefeated Florida State team before suffering a season ending injury against North Alabama. The pick seems like an attempt to replicate the Jordan Love situation in Green Bay, where Jordan Travis will be expected to learn from Rodgers for a couple of seasons before getting a shot at taking over the team. Given his undefeated season prior to injury with notable wins over LSU and Clemson, Travis has proved he has some real potential to be a serious competitor at the NFL level. But since he will start out at QB3 behind Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, it will be some time before we see him in action.
No. 173 (via 49ers): Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
Davis is similar to Allen, who the Jets took at No. 134. At 6’0, 218 lbs, Davis has been described as a power back and can be an asset for blocking. However, I’m skeptical of this pick after the failed experiment with Dalvin Cook last season and the Allen pick at 134. If nothing else, the competition among RBs in training camp should be interesting to keep an eye on.
No. 176 (via 49ers): Qwan’tez Stiggers, CB, CFL
Stiggers joins the Jets from the CFL, where he played for the Toronto Argonauts. He has a really cool story, where he went from zero-star recruit, to Fan Controlled Football, to the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie, to the NY Jets. It’ll be interesting to see if his talent translates to the NFL’s caliber of play, but with DJ Reed, Michael Carter II, and Sauce Gardner all playing CB this season, I think it is safe to say he will have some time to develop before getting a significant workload in the Jets’ defense. Nonetheless, I’m very excited to see this underdog play in a Jets jersey.
Fashanu was a great pick.