Does J.J McCarthy hold the key for the Jets 2024 NFL Draft plans?

Edition #609

Good morning! ☕

We seem to be flying through the weeks at the moment. We’re now just a few weeks away from the draft (and I’ll be in Asia during that period so you may have to forgive some unusual send times on the newsletter) and all the smoke and mirrors are starting to materialise. According to the PFF simulator, the most popular pick for the Jets is Georgia TE Brock Bowers, and while I wouldn’t hate that pick…it would be a selection that concerned me in terms of value. Brock has a ton of talent and if utilised properly, could be a game changer at the position. But is he worthy of a top-10 pick? I’m not so sure.

🗽 The Jets are holding their local workout day today and there will be several NY/NJ natives taking part including Matthew Jones (Ohio State) who was born in Brooklyn and LB Jimmy Ciarlo (Army) who was born in Ringwood New Jersey. This is according to Connor Hughes.

🔜 Rome Odunze will take an official visit with the Jets before the draft. Odunze chose to skip his Pro Day and stand on his numbers from the NFL combine, and it’s unclear if he’ll even make it to #10. If he does, I’d have a hard time passing on him if I’m Joe Douglas.

🐯 He wasn’t the only WR to meet with the Jets, LSU star Malik Nabers also met with the Jets at the backend of last month before his Pro Day. There is now talk that some teams have Nabers ahead of Marvin Harrison Jr, so the chances of him slipping to #10 are slim to none.

✈️ The Jets sent scouts and their DB coach to Auburn’s pro day. They have several prospects worth watching on days two and three. CB Nehemiah Pritchett, CB D.J. James and S/CB Jaylin Simpson. Pritchett is particularly interesting after he ran a 4.36.

🦆 One thing I did miss was the sheer quantity of reps the Jets had in Eugene for Oregon’s Pro Day last month. According to Jim Nagy, the Jets sent 5 representatives to watch Bo Nix among others, only the Chicago Bears had more. When teams send plenty of eyes they have some serious interest in at least one of the prospects.

🔵⚪ Sterling Shephard had this to say about the possibility of signing with the Jets - "I'm not gonna say that that wouldn't be a perfect situation for me. Who wouldn't wanna play with Aaron Rodgers? I mean, he's been able to resurrect his career. I would like it."

🟢⚪ Yesterday we focused on the idea of trading up in the draft and concluded that it was the least likely scenario for the Jets.

Based on their needs, their draft assets and where they stand as a team, trading down is significantly more attractive.

However, to trade down you need a team willing to trade up, it takes two to tango. A team can move up for any position group, but it tends to be for Quarterbacks more than any other.