Trade Down or Stand Ground: The New York Jets Crucial Decision in the 2024 NFL Draft

[JetNation]

2023 New York Jets

Several things went wrong in 2023 for the New York Jets. The most devastating event was Aaron Rodgers being injured during the first series of the first game of the year. Teams simply do not recover from losing their starting quarterback. All thoughts of a Super Bowl berth were crushed on opening night, but it didn’t mean all hope for a positive season ended with Rodger’s exit from the field on September 11^th. The Jets were 4-3 after a lackluster win at home against the Giants in week seven. Gang Green was above .500 for the first time all year and had just three games left against teams with a winning record to that point. The Jets had somehow beaten the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles and put up their best offensive output to date against the Broncos in Denver. Confidence was rising and there was a good feeling around the team and how they were adjusting to life without their starting quarterback. What followed were five weeks that effectively ended the Jets season.

45 Points

From weeks eight to twelve, the Jets scored a total of 45 points. That is exactly 9 points per game. The high-water mark was an offensive explosion against the Miami Dolphins where the team scored 13 points. Six of those points were scored by the defense. The Jets were held under 10 points in three of the five weeks between weeks eight and twelve. The schedule during that span was less than daunting. Only two of the five teams, the Bills and Dolphins, went on to qualify for the playoffs. The other three teams, the Chargers, Raiders, and Falcons, combined for a 20-31 mark for the year. The Los Angeles Chargers, who beat the Jets at Metlife Stadium by 21 points, finished with just five wins for the season. Los Angeles is slotted at five in the NFL draft – five spots before the Jets who hold the tenth selection.

The five weeks from week 8 to week 12 were among the most frustrating for a fan base that is well versed in frustration. If the Jets could have won just two of those five games, the team would have entered week 13 at 6-6.  It wasn’t unreasonable to think that the Jets could have pulled off two wins in that span of games. The Jets lost to the Raiders by just four points and the Falcons by five points. In week 13, the Jets battered the undermanned Houston Texans 30-6. If the Jets could have notched just two wins from weeks eight through twelve, the Houston win would have put the team at 7-6 with a very real shot at the playoffs. Things could have been drastically different. A 7-6 team still has hope for the stretch run. If the Jets were 7- 6 after thirteen games, does Rodgers push his injury to come back for the last few games? “If” is such a big word. For having just two letters, “if” really punches well above its weight class.

2024 NFL Draft

Speaking of “if,” if the Jets address their weaknesses this offseason, and assuming Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Jets will enter the 2024 season with as much, if not more, optimism as they had on September 10^th.  The If’s start with the 2024 NFL draft. The Jets own the 10^th pick overall. Even a novice follower of football understands that the offensive line is the Jets most glaring weakness. There are two offensive tackles rated in the top ten of the draft: Olumuyiwa Fashanu from Penn State is the consensus best offensive lineman. Closely behind Fashanu is Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. The issue for the Jets is that both men may be off the board by the time the Jets select at number ten. There are some mocks that have one of the two tackles falling to ten, but most project both Fashanu and Alt to be gone.

If one of the tackles falls to ten, it should be an easy pick for the Jets. What if both are gone, as many expect? The Jets could address one of their other deficiencies.  New York would have a choice between several very highly rated wide receivers at the tenth slot. Among those receivers who may be on the board when the Jets turn arrives in round one are Rome Udunze from Washington and Malik Neighbors of LSU. In addition to the wideouts thought to be on the board at ten, all-world tight end Brock Bowers from Georgia could also be available at ten.

The Jets best move in the event Fashanu and Alt are not available may be no pick at all.

Trade Down?

If the top two offensive tacklers are off the board, the Jets should consider trading down. The Jets do not have a second-round pick. Trading down could allow the Jets to land a top-rated offensive tackle and get them back into the game in round two. The Jets need to plug in multiple new starters on the offensive line. There is no more pressing issue facing the team this offseason. There are several offensive tackles with first-round grades expected to land at or after the 15^th pick. Trading down to take advantage of a very deep offensive line class makes a lot of sense. Nabbing a new starter on the offensive line in the second half of the first round, while adding a second-round pick would be the best use of the 10^th pick. The Jets have one pick in the third round and two picks in the fourth round where they can address their other needs. The Jets offensive line may have been the worst in the NFL in 2023. It must get the attention it didn’t get in the offseason prior to the 2023 season.

Welcome to “if” season, fans! Enjoy the possibilities!

The post Trade Down or Stand Ground: The New York Jets Crucial Decision in the 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog & Forum.

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[Dunnie]

No question trade down if the top 3 OL are gone. Trade the F down Joe !!!

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[rangerous]

Well, this is how the draft is looking now.  Things can change quite a bit between now and March.  We’ll just have to see what free agency brings and what players they choose to cut and bring back.  At this point I can see them trading back a couple of spots but still taking some beef with the first pick.

[joewilly12]

Stand ground we need quality players. 

[Sonny Werblin]

Here is the way I see it. Williams and May will be gone in the first 5 picks. Harrison and Nabers will be gone before #10. So that leaves 5 other player that can be taken before the Jets pick. Alt and Fashanu will certainly be gone before #10 because there are not many other strong options at other positions and sadly, the top of this draft is dominated by Offensive players in a year the Jets need O in the first round. In any event that leaves 3 more payers that can be taken before the Jets select at #10. So, the question is who are your top 4 after Williams, Maye, Harrison, Nabers, Alt and Fashanu? 

The players most likely to be available at #10 are listed below. Who would you take if available? Are there 4 you would take? because that is the number you need to assure that one will be available at #10.  I think Latham is certainly a good option at #10 because of our level of desperation at OT. Although I d on t think he grades out as a top 10 pick. But what if he's gone before #10? The only other player worth taking at #10 IMO is Daniels because (as I've said ad nauseum) you never select a QB any higher than the 10th pick because history has proven that you have a greater chance of finding a QB at #10 or later than with a top 9 pick, And more importantly, it seems teams are more likely to land their future QB in the draft when they are not actively looking for a QB and the starts simply align for it to occur. 

So, in summary, unless Lathan or Daniels is available at #10, trade down.

Brock Bowers - TE

JC Latham - OT

Dallas Turner - Edge

Jayden Daniels - QB

Keon Coleman - WR

Terri Arnold - CB

Kool-Aid McKinstry - CB

Roman Odunze - WR

 

[Adoni Beast]

Obviously it all depends on who is on the board but if it's OT that we really like obviously stand ground. If it's next tier talent then trade down (if possible).

[OilfieldJet]

Fuaga.

[Smashmouth]

the Jets should trade this years number 1 and next years number 1 and move up to get the LT they want and need . A healthy year from Rodgers next year would mean that pick will probably be well into the 20's so get the LT you need now via the draft on a 5 year contract for cheaper money than you would have to spend via the FA market . This team needs a revamp in one main area and that's the offensive line. You sure that up in the draft and FA with a top LT and you go into the season with Tippman, AVT, 1st round LT, and spend the rest of your draft capital on Guards and maybe grab another Guard and  RT via FA and you can turn this around fast with Rodgers at QB, By spending less money in FA and moving up in the draft that may open up room for Davante Adams with a few players being sent packing to make room

[Augustiniak]

19 minutes ago, Adoni Beast said:

Obviously it all depends on who is on the board but if it's OT that we really like obviously stand ground. If it's next tier talent then trade down (if possible).

I have a feeling that by the time the draft comes around there’s going to be a 2nd tier of tackles that includes fuaga, that also has a few other tackles that the jets can pick from if they trade back.  So right now I’m predicting a trade back, with the one caveat that i can see scenarios where teams trade up ahead of the jets to get qbs and that could push a LT down to 10.  I can see Tenn, giants and even chicago at 9 trade back b/c teams like Vikings, broncos, raiders, saints and Seahawks want qbs.  

[jetsman]

36 minutes ago, Sonny Werblin said:

Here is the way I see it. Williams and May will be gone in the first 5 picks. Harrison and Nabers will be gone before #10. So that leaves 5 other player that can be taken before the Jets pick. Alt and Fashanu will certainly be gone before #10 because there are not many other strong options at other positions and sadly, the top of this draft is dominated by Offensive players in a year the Jets need O in the first round. In any event that leaves 3 more payers that can be taken before the Jets select at #10. So, the question is who are your top 4 after Williams, Maye, Harrison, Nabers, Alt and Fashanu? 

The players most likely to be available at #10 are listed below. Who would you take if available? Are there 4 you would take? because that is the number you need to assure that one will be available at #10.  I think Latham is certainly a good option at #10 because of our level of desperation at OT. Although I d on t think he grades out as a top 10 pick. But what if he's gone before #10? The only other player worth taking at #10 IMO is Daniels because (as I've said ad nauseum) you never select a QB any higher than the 10th pick because history has proven that you have a greater chance of finding a QB at #10 or later than with a top 9 pick, And more importantly, it seems teams are more likely to land their future QB in the draft when they are not actively looking for a QB and the starts simply align for it to occur. 

So, in summary, unless Lathan or Daniels is available at #10, trade down.

Brock Bowers - TE

JC Latham - OT

Dallas Turner - Edge

Jayden Daniels - QB

Keon Coleman - WR

Terri Arnold - CB

Kool-Aid McKinstry - CB

Roman Odunze - WR

 

there is a guy named Kool-Aid? perfect fit for Jets

[Jetsfan80]

lol every year fans want to trade down and every year we all get reminded that you need to have an attractive pick to trade down and not get stuck receiving 80 cents on the dollar in value.  Thus we end up sticking and picking.  

Sure would have been nice to be able to trade down from a top 5 slot so we could have recouped our 2nd rounder plus potentially much more (depending of course on how far we moved down).

Anti-tankers:  Your opinions suck.  

[kevinc855]

Stand ground and take a  blue chip player if needed. We arent building anymore, we are going for a run in 24

[Adoni Beast]

39 minutes ago, Augustiniak said:

I have a feeling that by the time the draft comes around there’s going to be a 2nd tier of tackles that includes fuaga, that also has a few other tackles that the jets can pick from if they trade back.  So right now I’m predicting a trade back, with the one caveat that i can see scenarios where teams trade up ahead of the jets to get qbs and that could push a LT down to 10.  I can see Tenn, giants and even chicago at 9 trade back b/c teams like Vikings, broncos, raiders, saints and Seahawks want qbs.  

I think that by the time the draft rolls around Fuago will be considered the last of the "1st tier" even if it's RT he is best suited for.

I would be happy to take him at 10 for RT, granted we sign someone at least decent in free agency to play LT. There is also the possibility of moving Fuaga to LT but obviously that isn't set it stone.

Ideally you feel confident enough to move AVT to RT full time + Carter Warren as the back up + sign a vet at LT in free agency and draft a LT in the 1st. 

I think that's a good start to revamping the OL.

[Augustiniak]

Just now, Adoni Beast said:

I think that by the time the draft rolls around Fuago will be considered the last of the "1st tier" even if it's RT he is best suited for.

I would be happy to take him at 10 for RT, granted we sign someone at least decent in free agency to play LT. There is also the possibility of moving Fuaga to LT but obviously that isn't set it stone.

Ideally you feel confident enough to move AVT to RT full time + Carter Warren as the back up + sign a vet at LT in free agency and draft a LT in the 1st. 

I think that's a good start to revamping the OL.

If they actually can sign a decent LT in Fa, that opens up the draft possibilities.  If they can’t, i fear they may use avt at LT initially.  It will be interesting to see if fuaga ultimately becomes the clear first choice RT or if he’s thrown in with a bunch of other tackles that are currently being mocked in the 2nd half of the first round.  

[nj meadowlands]

14 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Anti-tankers:  Your opinions suck.  

Ban this coward

[Adoni Beast]

2 minutes ago, Augustiniak said:

If they actually can sign a decent LT in Fa, that opens up the draft possibilities.  If they can’t, i fear they may use avt at LT initially.  It will be interesting to see if fuaga ultimately becomes the clear first choice RT or if he’s thrown in with a bunch of other tackles that are currently being mocked in the 2nd half of the first round.  

Wherever they play AVT this year....it needs to be the position he will always play. Pick a spot and leave him there. I think to warrant any contract extension and get a bang for the buck, they need to commit to RT and leave it at that.

[Bobby816]

For me it's lazy to say just trade down.

Sounds good every year. But it takes 2 to tango. has to be a team willing to move up. Pay the price for that move up. And a player there that a team obviously really wants.

 

Best to assume we're drafting right where we are.

 

Actually based on JDs history, we could assume we might trade up if anything. 

[Augustiniak]

2 minutes ago, Adoni Beast said:

Wherever they play AVT this year....it needs to be the position he will always play. Pick a spot and leave him there. I think to warrant any contract extension and get a bang for the buck, they need to commit to RT and leave it at that.

I agree in theory, but in reality b/c they just can’t rely and keep becton, LT is always in limbo and thus avt is more likely to move around the line.  Odds are they take a RT in the first round and avt is slated at guard, but that assumes they address LT in FA.  I also would love it if they are able to deal huff for a day 2 pick and use it on the OL, a guy like zeitler who could drop bc of his injury..   

[Adoni Beast]

8 minutes ago, Augustiniak said:

I agree in theory, but in reality b/c they just can’t rely and keep becton, LT is always in limbo and thus avt is more likely to move around the line.  Odds are they take a RT in the first round and avt is slated at guard, but that assumes they address LT in FA.  I also would love it if they are able to deal huff for a day 2 pick and use it on the OL, a guy like zeitler who could drop bc of his injury..   

I think the team needs to stop looking at AVT and saying "where can we move you based on what we have" and decide on a position independent of current roster + free agency + draft and make a plan to optimize his potential at the one position. This should be decided before March and the players they sign / trade for / draft should have no affect.

[RutgersJetFan]

TRADING DOWN: YOU JUST GRAB YOUR ANKLES AND CLAP YOUR FEET TOGETHER AND ORDER THE TRADE DOWN GODS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND POOF IT HAPPENS

[Augustiniak]

3 minutes ago, Adoni Beast said:

I think the team needs to stop looking at AVT and saying "where can we move you based on what we have" and decide on a position independent of current roster + free agency + draft and make a plan to optimize his potential at the one position. This should be decided before March and the players they sign / trade for / draft should have no affect.

I honestly doubt they will.  Getting a LT in FA is a crapshoot and so is the draft.  Maybe they get lucky and one of the 2 LTs falls to 10, maybe not.  My prediction is that they whiff in FA at LT and then head into the draft playing it by ear.  

[Jetpain]

I dont want to go into the draft having to draft a left tackle.  I know its a need, but then we could be forcing ourselves to pick someone who isnt worthy of the 10th pick.  A free agent signing is necessary, even if its for a 1-2 year deal.  That gives us some flexability when we pick. If one of the top tackles falls, you pick them, if they are gone, you may want to seriously look at WR which is obviously a need as well.    Also think we need to keep developing another young WR as i cant see any way we can keep everyone from  Garrett, Sauce, Breece, and Johnson in 1-2 years.  Obviously a lot can change in that time but investing in some young WR's could potentially give us a softer landing when that payday arrives. 

[Adoni Beast]

2 minutes ago, Augustiniak said:

I honestly doubt they will.  Getting a LT in FA is a crapshoot and so is the draft.  Maybe they get lucky and one of the 2 LTs falls to 10, maybe not.  My prediction is that they whiff in FA at LT and then head into the draft playing it by ear.  

I see a Trent Brown or David Bachtiari (heavy incentive based contract) signing with another vet depth piece (bargain signing like George Fant, hello again!) who can play LT or RT in free agency to cover bases.

[Jetsfan80]

6 minutes ago, RutgersJetFan said:

TRADING DOWN: YOU JUST GRAB YOUR ANKLES AND CLAP YOUR FEET TOGETHER AND ORDER THE TRADE DOWN GODS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND POOF IT HAPPENS

Right???  Everyone is going to be clamoring for pick 10 in a 7-player draft!

[nj meadowlands]

5 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Right???  Everyone is going to be clamoring for pick 10 in a 7-player draft!

I would like a venn diagram showing the overlap of mouthbreathers who pound the table to both "LoSe FoR tHe DRaFt PiCk!!!" and "tRaDE DOWN!!!" in the same season

[section314]

15 minutes ago, RutgersJetFan said:

TRADING DOWN: YOU JUST GRAB YOUR ANKLES AND CLAP YOUR FEET TOGETHER AND ORDER THE TRADE DOWN GODS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND POOF IT HAPPENS

Great point. The sad thing is, we lose either Washington game or Pats game and we are picking 5, and all this stuff is a moot point. We would have our pick of either OT or have a chance at a hail of picks if one of top 3 QB still there. This whole organization just sucks.

[slimjasi]

Al toon and Garret Wilson were both picked 10th overall 

If we end up not landing a big WR in FA or via trade, just take Odunze or Coleman (assuming Nabers is gone) 

[Augustiniak]

12 minutes ago, Adoni Beast said:

I see a Trent Brown or David Bachtiari (heavy incentive based contract) signing with another vet depth piece (bargain signing like George Fant, hello again!) who can play LT or RT in free agency to cover bases.

Quite possibly but that type of solution does nothing except fill a slot in an excel file, those guys aren’t lasting many games and avt may ultimately be asked to play LT when that guy is injured.  

[Augustiniak]

Just now, slimjasi said:

Al toon and Garret Wilson were both top 10 picks 

just take Odunze or Coleman (assuming Nabers is gone) 

I doubt they go wr at 10 b/c line is such a more obvious need, it’s harder to get good OL in FA and the perception within the organization (right or wrong) is that a good qb fixes the wr issues whereas they need tackles regardless

[DonCorleone]

11 hours ago, JetNation said:

2023 New York Jets

Several things went wrong in 2023 for the New York Jets. The most devastating event was Aaron Rodgers being injured during the first series of the first game of the year. Teams simply do not recover from losing their starting quarterback. All thoughts of a Super Bowl berth were crushed on opening night, but it didn’t mean all hope for a positive season ended with Rodger’s exit from the field on September 11^th. The Jets were 4-3 after a lackluster win at home against the Giants in week seven. Gang Green was above .500 for the first time all year and had just three games left against teams with a winning record to that point. The Jets had somehow beaten the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles and put up their best offensive output to date against the Broncos in Denver. Confidence was rising and there was a good feeling around the team and how they were adjusting to life without their starting quarterback. What followed were five weeks that effectively ended the Jets season.

45 Points

From weeks eight to twelve, the Jets scored a total of 45 points. That is exactly 9 points per game. The high-water mark was an offensive explosion against the Miami Dolphins where the team scored 13 points. Six of those points were scored by the defense. The Jets were held under 10 points in three of the five weeks between weeks eight and twelve. The schedule during that span was less than daunting. Only two of the five teams, the Bills and Dolphins, went on to qualify for the playoffs. The other three teams, the Chargers, Raiders, and Falcons, combined for a 20-31 mark for the year. The Los Angeles Chargers, who beat the Jets at Metlife Stadium by 21 points, finished with just five wins for the season. Los Angeles is slotted at five in the NFL draft – five spots before the Jets who hold the tenth selection.

The five weeks from week 8 to week 12 were among the most frustrating for a fan base that is well versed in frustration. If the Jets could have won just two of those five games, the team would have entered week 13 at 6-6.  It wasn’t unreasonable to think that the Jets could have pulled off two wins in that span of games. The Jets lost to the Raiders by just four points and the Falcons by five points. In week 13, the Jets battered the undermanned Houston Texans 30-6. If the Jets could have notched just two wins from weeks eight through twelve, the Houston win would have put the team at 7-6 with a very real shot at the playoffs. Things could have been drastically different. A 7-6 team still has hope for the stretch run. If the Jets were 7- 6 after thirteen games, does Rodgers push his injury to come back for the last few games? “If” is such a big word. For having just two letters, “if” really punches well above its weight class.

2024 NFL Draft

Speaking of “if,” if the Jets address their weaknesses this offseason, and assuming Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Jets will enter the 2024 season with as much, if not more, optimism as they had on September 10^th.  The If’s start with the 2024 NFL draft. The Jets own the 10^th pick overall. Even a novice follower of football understands that the offensive line is the Jets most glaring weakness. There are two offensive tackles rated in the top ten of the draft: Olumuyiwa Fashanu from Penn State is the consensus best offensive lineman. Closely behind Fashanu is Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. The issue for the Jets is that both men may be off the board by the time the Jets select at number ten. There are some mocks that have one of the two tackles falling to ten, but most project both Fashanu and Alt to be gone.

If one of the tackles falls to ten, it should be an easy pick for the Jets. What if both are gone, as many expect? The Jets could address one of their other deficiencies.  New York would have a choice between several very highly rated wide receivers at the tenth slot. Among those receivers who may be on the board when the Jets turn arrives in round one are Rome Udunze from Washington and Malik Neighbors of LSU. In addition to the wideouts thought to be on the board at ten, all-world tight end Brock Bowers from Georgia could also be available at ten.

The Jets best move in the event Fashanu and Alt are not available may be no pick at all.

Trade Down?

If the top two offensive tacklers are off the board, the Jets should consider trading down. The Jets do not have a second-round pick. Trading down could allow the Jets to land a top-rated offensive tackle and get them back into the game in round two. The Jets need to plug in multiple new starters on the offensive line. There is no more pressing issue facing the team this offseason. There are several offensive tackles with first-round grades expected to land at or after the 15^th pick. Trading down to take advantage of a very deep offensive line class makes a lot of sense. Nabbing a new starter on the offensive line in the second half of the first round, while adding a second-round pick would be the best use of the 10^th pick. The Jets have one pick in the third round and two picks in the fourth round where they can address their other needs. The Jets offensive line may have been the worst in the NFL in 2023. It must get the attention it didn’t get in the offseason prior to the 2023 season.

Welcome to “if” season, fans! Enjoy the possibilities!

The post Trade Down or Stand Ground: The New York Jets Crucial Decision in the 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog & Forum.

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In light of the fact that I lost all faith in this whole staff, from JD to his coaches, I think that it doesn't matter where they pick, they'll get it wrong.

 

[Jetsfan80]

11 minutes ago, nj meadowlands said:

I would like a venn diagram showing the overlap of mouthbreathers who pound the table to both "LoSe FoR tHe DRaFt PiCk!!!" and "tRaDE DOWN!!!" in the same season

Tanking opens up more and better possibilities for trading down, so it sounds like you're looking for a list of all the smart posters on JN?

[Arsis]

Not only trade down. I think we should trade Aaron Rodgers. Trade out of the 1st and get as many future picks as we can get. With Aaron we're still not a winning team.

[slimjasi]

2 minutes ago, Augustiniak said:

I doubt they go wr at 10 b/c line is such a more obvious need, it’s harder to get good OL in FA and the perception within the organization (right or wrong) is that a good qb fixes the wr issues whereas they need tackles regardless

I don’t think that’s necessarily the perception in the organization - both Saleh and Rodgers explicitly talked about the importance of adding another big play-maker. 

it all depends on what happens in free agency and whether we land Adams. I personally don’t see us landing adams and think the chances of us landing Higgins, Evans, or Pittman is also low. 

[playtowinthegame]

Trade up and draft a quarterback out of USC. THAT'LL WORK. 

[peebag]

27 minutes ago, RutgersJetFan said:

TRADING DOWN: YOU JUST GRAB YOUR ANKLES AND CLAP YOUR FEET TOGETHER AND ORDER THE TRADE DOWN GODS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND POOF IT HAPPENS

Lol- why do people think that this option is an absolute