The New York Jets have been one of the more active teams in the NFL making upgrades to their roster. They were active in free agency and on the trade market, adding talented players to both sides of the ball.
A lot of the focus for general manager Joe Douglas has been on the offensive side of the ball. The Jets’ entire game plan went up in smoke when Aaron Rogers got hurt in Week 1, but the supporting cast that would have been around him was underwhelming.
Abysmal quarterback play didn’t help, but it would have been tough for even the most talented of signal callers to succeed in the 2023 version of the Jets offense. The offensive line was a sieve and receivers were unable to create separation.
Looking to change that, Douglas was aggressive in making additions. The offensive line has several new faces with left tackle Tyron Smith, right tackle Morgan Moses and left guard John Simpson. Wide receiver Mike Williams is a risk given his injury history, but when healthy, is a huge upgrade in the passing game.
Without a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it will be interesting to see what kind of move the Jets make in the first round. This is a roster closer to contention if a few things go their way, and their first-round pick could be the last piece to the puzzle.
Will that pick be used on another offensive weapon? There is certainly a possibility of that, as the Jets are reportedly showing a lot of interest in a wide receiver projected to be selected in the first round. That wide receiver is Brian Thomas Jr. out of LSU.
Thomas isn’t as highly regarded as his fellow wide receiver, Malik Nabers who is expected to go in the top 10, but was excellent in 2023. He caught 68 passes for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns, surpassing his totals in his first two collegiate seasons combined.
The 2024 draft class is loaded at wide receiver, so if the Jets do want to add another weapon to the mix, this is the year to do so. Given their lack of early picks, New York is a prime candidate to trade back, pick up assets and still get a player they like, such as Thomas.
Picking him at No. 10 would probably be a reach. Thomas is projected to go in the late teens and early 20s in mock drafts, which makes him an ideal target should New York trade back with a team looking to make a move up the board.
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