• Round 1, Pick 11: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State: Fuaga might not have the fancy footwork of some of the other top offensive tackles in the class, but he makes do. He is a starting-caliber tackle and could help in New York's 2024 playoff push.
• Round 3, Pick 75: QB Michael Pratt, Tulane: He would be a great quarterback to draft and stash behind Rodgers for a season, since it is very clear Zach Wilson is not the answer in that role.
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The New York Jets are technically still in the playoff hunt. But unless Aaron Rodgers walks through that door fully healthy and ready to hit the ground running in December, it might be time for New York to finish out strong with what they’ve got and set themselves up this offseason for a deep playoff run in 2024-2025.
Here is a five-round New York Jets 2024 NFL mock draft.
ROUND 1, PICK 11: OT TALIESE FUAGA, OREGON STATE
As the season goes on, it seems the rumors and reports of when quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return from his Achilles tear get earlier and earlier. Now the target timeframe being floated around is mid-December. The Jets are still in the playoff hunt, but it's not worth it to rush him back if it means compromising next season. It feels like New York will have one full year with Rodgers, and they’ll have an entire offseason in 2024 to put the best possible offensive line in front of him. In my opinion, that includes using their first-round pick to bolster the unit.
Fuaga is a true people-mover. He brings a ton of strength to the tackle position, as evidenced by his elite run-blocking grade. He plays right tackle for Oregon State, which could be perfect for the Jets, as they have a big hole at the position. Fuaga might not have the fancy footwork of some of the other top offensive tackles in the class, but he makes do. He is a starting-caliber tackle and could help in New York's 2024 playoff push.
ROUND 3, PICK 75: QB MICHAEL PRATT, TULANE
While Rodgers has missed almost all of this season due to a torn Achilles, maybe 2024 won’t be his last year in the league. But coming off this major injury, and with him turning 40 years old soon, the Jets should plan for the future. They likely shouldn't attempt to acquire their next quarterback in the first round, since they badly need offensive line help, but if a quarterback they like is available in the third round, I’d take the chance.
Pratt entered the year with first-round-caliber potential. A knee injury early in the season forced him to miss a few games, and he hasn’t taken that next step as a passer with consistency in accuracy and anticipation since. He would be a great quarterback to draft and stash behind Rodgers for a season, since it is very clear Zach Wilson is not the answer in that role.
ROUND 4, PICK 111: WR JERMAINE BURTON, ALABAMA
Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets don’t have much to write home about at receiver. If Aaron Rodgers were throwing them the ball, maybe we’d think differently. But, as things stand, they need to get more talent in the receiver room.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Burton started his career at Georgia before transferring to Alabama. He is an explosive receiver with really good hands (zero drops on 45 targets this season). He’s also reliable at creating separation via route running. In 2023, he ranks above the 80th percentile in separation percentage, creating what are categorized as “open targets.”
ROUND 5, PICK 148: EDGE ANTWAUN POWELL-RYLAND, VIRGINIA TECH
The Jets field one of the best defenses in the NFL this season, and though they’ll still have most of their studs for 2024, Bryce Huff, Quinton Jefferson and Carl Lawson are pending free agents along the defensive line. They drafted Will McDonald IV in the first round last year, so he can certainly play more and help if they lose one or more of those guys, but continuing to get good defensive linemen in the building is never a bad call.
Powell-Ryland was at Florida for a few years before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he is now playing some really good ball. So far this season, he has 40 total pressures and a 15.3% pass-rush win percentage.
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