Grading Gang Green’s Approach to the 2024 NFL Draft

[JetNation]

Mention grading a team’s NFL draft the day after the fact and you’re sure to hear from draft Karens telling you it’s too early to grade the outcome.  This is obviously true, but grading a team’s approach is perfectly appropriate.  I mean, if the Jets had drafted seven punters this weekend I’m sure everyone would have some thoughts on what in the world they were doing.

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the Jets 2024 draft class.

Round 1 (11th overall):  LT Olu Fashanu, Penn State 

For the second consecutive year the Jets used an early first-round pick on a player who may not play much.  A surprising decision given the Jets are reportedly building to win now.

Given the health history of left tackle Tyron Smith it’s possible Fashanu plays quite a bit, but if Smith duplicates his 2023 season in which he started 13 games it’ll be an uneventful rookie season for Fashanu.

A potentially wasted pick for 2024 but in terms of a long-term pick it’s brilliant.  It gives the Jets a guy who is expected to be a stud tackle for the next decade.  Combine Fashanu’s talent with his character and he’s an impossible player and person not to like.

Check out Fashanu’s JetNation draft profile right here.

Grade: B+

Round 2 (65th overall): WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

This is a pick that’s more in line with trying to win now.  Corley’s skill set marries up perfectly with Aaron Rodgers’ playing style and should give the Jets a weapon at receiver who take advantage of having Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams create room underneath.

An ultra physical receiver who will likely spend most of his time in the slot, Corley figures to be an early impact player.

Check out Fashanu’s JetNation draft profile right here.

Grade: A+

Round 4 (134th overall): RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Joe Douglas loves his running backs.  In fact, he has taken one in every single draft since coming to the Jets and he got a good one here in Allen.  The Wisconsin product is an excellent combination of burst, power, contact balance.

He uses these traits to bounce hit the hole in a hurry and bounce off of defenders to gain yards after contact.  His carries will be limited behind Breece Hall so it’s another part-time player, but a very good one nonetheless.

Grade: B

Power. Explosion. Agility. Contact Balance.

Newest at @nyjets RB Braelon Allen. pic.twitter.com/BwcIlFlPH5

— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 27, 2024

Round 5 (171st overall): QB Jordan Travis, Florida State University

Their need to draft a develop a successor to Aaron Rodgers is well-known at this point and the Jets did a good job in getting their potential starter of the future in Travis.

A mobile quarterback who protects the football, finds the end zone and is a highly respected leader in his locker room.  Outside of Fashanu, this could end up being the best pick in this class when all is said and done.

Grade: A

Round 5 (173rd overall): RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State

Did we mention Joe Douglas’ feelings on taking running backs in the NFL draft?  Davis becomes the sixth back Douglas has drafted in five years and this one is a head scratcher.

This isn’t to say Davis isn’t talented, but with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen in front of him, taking an offensive lineman in this spot would have fit better with what many thought was an offseason goal of building a wall around Aaron Rodgers from starters to the last man on the depth chart.

Forgot I had this Isaiah Davis play on file but just looked up what I had.

Love the effort here as a lead blocker on QB keeper. Right up the middle and drives the DB back for extra yards. pic.twitter.com/zg6IgXBcsq

— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 27, 2024

So in a draft where offensive line reinforcements were expected to be on the way, the Jets took more running backs than they did big men up front to do the blocking.

This pick also signals the likely end to last year’s fifth-round pick Izzy Abanikanda.  A talented runner that the Jets may not know how to deploy.

Grade: D

Round 5 (176th overall) CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CFL

Depth at cornerback was a must as the Jets have nothing to proven corners behind Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed and Brandin Echols.  We weren’t able to find any CFL film to review Stiggers ourselves but scouting reports suggest he’s an ultra athletic corner with very high upside.  And while highlight reels never tell the whole story, what’s out there is highly impressive.  Can’t knock that.

Grade: B+

Round 7 (257th overall) S Jaylen Key, Alabama

Much like last season when they snagged LSU DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, the Jets roll the dice on a versatile DB from a major program to see what they can make of him.  A sure tackler who lines up deep and in the slot where he covers receivers and tight ends, Key will have a shot to stick on a roster with little depth at safety.  The final pick in any NFL draft is bound to be a long shot.

Grade: C+

Overall Summary:

The Jets spent two of their three top picks on guys for whom there is a path for them to play a very low number of snaps.  In fact, the Jets are hoping Fashanu never sees the field as it would  mean Tyron Smith stayed healthy which is little more than a pipe dream.

Allen will be RB2 behind Breece Hall and probably play roughly 30% of the team’s snaps while Davis, assuming he beats out Izzy Abanikanda, will likely play even less than that.

Overall Grade: B-

The post Grading Gang Green’s Approach to the 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog & Forum.

Click here to read the full story...

[AFJF]

 

[RutgersJetFan]

The Davis pick is only a head scratcher if you don't consider Douglas to be a nincompoop.  

[Larz]

Definitely too much offense.  That always pisses me off 

[JoeNamathsFurCoat]

FWiW

 

[faba]

First three picks on paper look good   with travis pick after that it is a crapshoot for any team. Got 2 guys that could be long run solutions at tackle and QB-could be is the word

[AFJF]

1 hour ago, Larz said:

Definitely too much offense.  That always pisses me off 

I haven't seen or heard anyone complaining about too much offense.  But RB3 vs potential starting OG was kinda' silly IMO.

[Maxman]

40 minutes ago, AFJF said:

I haven't seen or heard anyone complaining about too much offense.  But RB3 vs potential starting OG was kinda' silly IMO.

I am happy with the draft but I would have liked to see a guard. Wasn't sure why 2 RB.  Maybe the new kickoff will be all running backs who knows!

[BornJetsFan1983]

5 hours ago, JetNation said:

Mention grading a team’s NFL draft the day after the fact and you’re sure to hear from draft Karens telling you it’s too early to grade the outcome.  This is obviously true, but grading a team’s approach is perfectly appropriate.  I mean, if the Jets had drafted seven punters this weekend I’m sure everyone would have some thoughts on what in the world they were doing.

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the Jets 2024 draft class.

Round 1 (11th overall):  LT Olu Fashanu, Penn State 

For the second consecutive year the Jets used an early first-round pick on a player who may not play much.  A surprising decision given the Jets are reportedly building to win now.

Given the health history of left tackle Tyron Smith it’s possible Fashanu plays quite a bit, but if Smith duplicates his 2023 season in which he started 13 games it’ll be an uneventful rookie season for Fashanu.

A potentially wasted pick for 2024 but in terms of a long-term pick it’s brilliant.  It gives the Jets a guy who is expected to be a stud tackle for the next decade.  Combine Fashanu’s talent with his character and he’s an impossible player and person not to like.

Check out Fashanu’s JetNation draft profile right here.

Grade: B+

Round 2 (65th overall): WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

This is a pick that’s more in line with trying to win now.  Corley’s skill set marries up perfectly with Aaron Rodgers’ playing style and should give the Jets a weapon at receiver who take advantage of having Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams create room underneath.

An ultra physical receiver who will likely spend most of his time in the slot, Corley figures to be an early impact player.

Check out Fashanu’s JetNation draft profile right here.

Grade: A+

Round 4 (134th overall): RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Joe Douglas loves his running backs.  In fact, he has taken one in every single draft since coming to the Jets and he got a good one here in Allen.  The Wisconsin product is an excellent combination of burst, power, contact balance.

He uses these traits to bounce hit the hole in a hurry and bounce off of defenders to gain yards after contact.  His carries will be limited behind Breece Hall so it’s another part-time player, but a very good one nonetheless.

Grade: B

Power. Explosion. Agility. Contact Balance.

Newest at @nyjets RB Braelon Allen. pic.twitter.com/BwcIlFlPH5

— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 27, 2024

 

Round 5 (171st overall): QB Jordan Travis, Florida State University

Their need to draft a develop a successor to Aaron Rodgers is well-known at this point and the Jets did a good job in getting their potential starter of the future in Travis.

A mobile quarterback who protects the football, finds the end zone and is a highly respected leader in his locker room.  Outside of Fashanu, this could end up being the best pick in this class when all is said and done.

Grade: A

Round 5 (173rd overall): RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State

Did we mention Joe Douglas’ feelings on taking running backs in the NFL draft?  Davis becomes the sixth back Douglas has drafted in five years and this one is a head scratcher.

This isn’t to say Davis isn’t talented, but with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen in front of him, taking an offensive lineman in this spot would have fit better with what many thought was an offseason goal of building a wall around Aaron Rodgers from starters to the last man on the depth chart.

Forgot I had this Isaiah Davis play on file but just looked up what I had.

Love the effort here as a lead blocker on QB keeper. Right up the middle and drives the DB back for extra yards. pic.twitter.com/zg6IgXBcsq

— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 27, 2024

 

So in a draft where offensive line reinforcements were expected to be on the way, the Jets took more running backs than they did big men up front to do the blocking.

This pick also signals the likely end to last year’s fifth-round pick Izzy Abanikanda.  A talented runner that the Jets may not know how to deploy.

Grade: D

Round 5 (176th overall) CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CFL

Depth at cornerback was a must as the Jets have nothing to proven corners behind Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed and Brandin Echols.  We weren’t able to find any CFL film to review Stiggers ourselves but scouting reports suggest he’s an ultra athletic corner with very high upside.  And while highlight reels never tell the whole story, what’s out there is highly impressive.  Can’t knock that.

Grade: B+

Round 7 (257th overall) S Jaylen Key, Alabama

Much like last season when they snagged LSU DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, the Jets roll the dice on a versatile DB from a major program to see what they can make of him.  A sure tackler who lines up deep and in the slot where he covers receivers and tight ends, Key will have a shot to stick on a roster with little depth at safety.  The final pick in any NFL draft is bound to be a long shot.

Grade: C+

Overall Summary:

The Jets spent two of their three top picks on guys for whom there is a path for them to play a very low number of snaps.  In fact, the Jets are hoping Fashanu never sees the field as it would  mean Tyron Smith stayed healthy which is little more than a pipe dream.

Allen will be RB2 behind Breece Hall and probably play roughly 30% of the team’s snaps while Davis, assuming he beats out Izzy Abanikanda, will likely play even less than that.

Overall Grade: B-

The post Grading Gang Green’s Approach to the 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog & Forum.

Click here to read the full story...

Did not get past the first paragraph...hard to continue after saying the first pick was bad, he was the best player on the board and highest position of need for us. 

I doubt the rest of the article was full of anything other than bad takes. As I scrolled down I see the draft grade was B minus.

Not even enough balls to stand behind their own bad takes. B minus. Lol.

The draft was great. The first two picks were awesome. Lucky but also awesome to get that kid in the third. He will be playing WR 3 and our 1st rounder will get meaningful snaps all season probably a couple starts. Glad he is a mauler. Not to mention. The rbs have some promise and will get meaning ful snaps too. Also I'm hoping that stringer kid is good. We will see in camp.

For those questioning the RB, it's the most NFL start ready spot on the roster. If those kids can play hard and punish the opposition with a hand ful of snaps to soften them up for hall. All the better.

I'm glad so many QBs went or we be left with the 4 or 5 best lineman.

Anyway this article is a joke.

[AFJF]

5 minutes ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

Did not get past the first paragraph...hard to continue after saying the first pick, was the best player on the board and highest position of need for us. So not really surprising.

I doubt the rest of the article was full of anything other than bad takes. As I scrolled down I see the draft grade was B minus.

Not even enough balls to stand behind their own bad takes. B minus. Lol.

The draft was great. The first two picks were awesome. Lucky but also awesome to get that kid in the third. He will be playing WR 3 and our 1st rounder will get meaningful snaps all season probably a couple starts. Glad he is a mauler. Not to mention. The rbs have some promise and will get meaning ful snaps too. Also I'm hoping that stringer kid is good. We will see in camp.

For those questioning the RB, it's the most NFL start ready spot on the roster. If those kids can play hard and punish the opposition with a hand ful of snaps to soften them up for hall. All the better.

I'm glad so many QBs went or we be left with the 4 or 5 best lineman.

Anyway this article is a joke.

"I didn't read it, but it's a joke"

How very 2024.

[BornJetsFan1983]

Just now, AFJF said:

"I didn't read it, but it's a joke"

How very 2024.

I read it till I the absurd first point that was enough.

If someone pisses in your hand and calls it rain you don't need to wait till they pee on your face.

 

[AFJF]

1 minute ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

I read it till I the absurd first point that was enough.

If someone pisses in your hand and calls it rain you don't need to wait till they pee on your face.

 

Again.  Didn't read it but commented on its lack of quality.

Kids today...SMH.

[Claymation]

10 hours ago, Maxman said:

I am happy with the draft but I would have liked to see a guard. Wasn't sure why 2 RB.  Maybe the new kickoff will be all running backs who knows!

I believe that is playing a big part in them grabbing 2 RBs.

[BornJetsFan1983]

On 4/28/2024 at 7:39 PM, AFJF said:

Again.  Didn't read it but commented on its lack of quality.

Kids today...SMH.

you can dismiss what I said cause you don't like it. Perfectly reasonable. And perfectly in line with what most expect of your comments. 

[New York Mick]

Some of these guys weren’t drafted to be starters or even a normal backup. They're just STers that will be used as backups if they’re needed or the very small chance they play better than their draft position. Either way anyone after the 3rd is a long shots to even make the team. Only 8% of 4th rounders and 4% of 5th rounders make the team and it’s even lower for 6 and 7. 

[32EBoozer]

On 4/28/2024 at 10:29 PM, BornJetsFan1983 said:

Not even enough balls to stand behind their own bad takes. B minus. Lol.

Good point. Especially when you consider our next pick wasn’t for an additional 62 slots. That even adds more weight to your first pick which they considered bad but they still gave a B minus… What’s up with that? Trading up for Corley was a solid move. Like others, I am more excited about the UDFA we picked up after the draft. 

[BornJetsFan1983]

12 hours ago, 32EBoozer said:

Good point. Especially when you consider our next pick wasn’t for an additional 62 slots. That even adds more weight to your first pick which they considered bad but they still gave a B minus… What’s up with that? Trading up for Corley was a solid move. Like others, I am more excited about the UDFA we picked up after the draft. 

I mean im with you, im hopeful and excited. I feel like they did pretty well and the pieces all make sense. OL to help protect, WR to compliemnt the two we already got, RB's to pound the rock and save breece from the hard yards etc. Hell even the qb picked literally is the best qb drafted we have done since pennington. It all just makes too much sense. 

One of our best drafts not just from Joe but the team. 

[AFJF]

18 hours ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

you can dismiss what I said cause you don't like it. Perfectly reasonable. And perfectly in line with what most expect of your comments. 

I'm dismissing what you said because what you said was "I didn't read what you wrote, but I'll have you know that I also didn't like what I didn't read"

[hmhertz]

Poor job at  receiver, should have traded up for Michigan's Wilson

who won with speed, quickness and ability to run patterns than the

YAC king, then add a prospect or two with size, speed and toughness.

No receiver picked for the outside big mistake

[BornJetsFan1983]

8 hours ago, AFJF said:

I'm dismissing what you said because what you said was "I didn't read what you wrote, but I'll have you know that I also didn't like what I didn't read"

[AFJF]

1 hour ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

 

[AFJF]

1 hour ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

I mean, you could just be a grown up and admit you made a mistake by commenting on something you didn't read or you can keep acting like a 12-year-old.

I think we can see which of those two options you're choosing.

[BornJetsFan1983]

7 hours ago, AFJF said:

 

Aaron Rodgers shaking head.MOV

I wish I could have seen this, I bet it was pretty good. 

[BornJetsFan1983]

7 hours ago, AFJF said:

I mean, you could just be a grown up and admit you made a mistake by commenting on something you didn't read or you can keep acting like a 12-year-old.

I think we can see which of those two options you're choosing.

?

I think you just maybe don't know what you are talking about. I did read the post, well the first and main point as I said. That our first pick was not good. Then I said it was a stupid point and wrong and just a bad take.

Despite the SOJF narrative of we drafted a back up, the guy is in line to be our starting LT. A position of great need for us, especially since our two T are old and the LT is injury prone. And we have no long term solution. Aside from fixing that need with the second best T in this class, a perfect comp to our actual starting LT, you can also mention how he is a perfect comp to our LT and his selection is basically perfection by Joe. Not only does he fill the need whole getting free draft capitol from the vikings but this kid is in a win win situation for our team. He learns with no pressure and does it under arguably one of the best players to ever do it. 

All these reasons are obvious to even the most ignorant fan. But again this article was way off. 

And here you are who can't even comprehend it. 

a 12 year old would have caught on already, which makes you....basically the ever enduring SOJF. sad.

[BornJetsFan1983]

15 hours ago, hmhertz said:

Poor job at  receiver, should have traded up for Michigan's Wilson

who won with speed, quickness and ability to run patterns than the

YAC king, then add a prospect or two with size, speed and toughness.

No receiver picked for the outside big mistake

hard to do with our a trading partner - what wilson available at the time we picked up the YAC king?

I think trading into the secodn round for any WR is tough to rationalize considering the depth of the position and the odds of it hitting, after the more established higher talented guys went in the top ten, The 49ers for example picked some kid with thier first pick I think, and he has about much of a chance as Yac King who we got in the 3rd round. 

The draft is not exact and hell that kid you mentioned of any of the guys drafted are could all bust, with our draft capital so low, I am kind of in the boat that unless you truly believe in the guys, you cant afford to trade up. This YAC king guy our coaches love. They dont seem to give a sh*t about your guy wilson. 

It will be intersting to see how the season plays out I hope if this wilson kid you like ends up playing really well and better than the YAC king you will post about it and remember to bring it up. 

Its kind of crazy that how many guys dont work out. But right now i really feel like our T, our WR and at least one of our RB's will making meaninging ful contribution this year. 

Crazy really.

[#27TheDominator]

On 4/28/2024 at 10:37 PM, BornJetsFan1983 said:

I read it till I the absurd first point that was enough.

If someone pisses in your hand and calls it rain you don't need to wait till they pee on your face.

 

You couldn't even skip to the part where he graded the pick?  B+ isn't enough?  It must be an A++++++!

[Joe W. Namath]

More izzy slander.  Good grief...................................

[slimjasi]

I would give us a  B and I agree with a lot of the writeup, with two caveats

1) I believe Fashanu is more likely than not to play a meaningful amount of snaps next year. 

2) I wouldn't call taking an OL "surprising" at all. I felt going in that Odunze or Nabers was option 1 and Fashanu or Fuaga (assuming Alt was gone) was option 2.  I never thought taking a TE made that much sense, even if I saw the appeal.  

On 4/28/2024 at 8:40 PM, AFJF said:

I haven't seen or heard anyone complaining about too much offense.  But RB3 vs potential starting OG was kinda' silly IMO.

Easily the worst pick of the draft. Couldn't agree more. 

[AFJF]

2 hours ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

?

I think you just maybe don't know what you are talking about. I did read the post, well the first and main point as I said. That our first pick was not good. Then I said it was a stupid point and wrong and just a bad take.

Despite the SOJF narrative of we drafted a back up, the guy is in line to be our starting LT. A position of great need for us, especially since our two T are old and the LT is injury prone. And we have no long term solution. Aside from fixing that need with the second best T in this class, a perfect comp to our actual starting LT, you can also mention how he is a perfect comp to our LT and his selection is basically perfection by Joe. Not only does he fill the need whole getting free draft capitol from the vikings but this kid is in a win win situation for our team. He learns with no pressure and does it under arguably one of the best players to ever do it. 

All these reasons are obvious to even the most ignorant fan. But again this article was way off. 

And here you are who can't even comprehend it. 

a 12 year old would have caught on already, which makes you....basically the ever enduring SOJF. sad.

Oh, so now you read the post.

LOL

[AFJF]

2 hours ago, slimjasi said:

I would give us a  B and I agree with a lot of the writeup, with two caveats

1) I believe Fashanu is more likely than not to play a meaningful amount of snaps next year. 

2) I wouldn't call taking an OL "surprising" at all. I felt going in that Odunze or Nabers was option 1 and Fashanu or Fuaga (assuming Alt was gone) was option 2.  I never thought taking a TE made that much sense, even if I saw the appeal.  

Easily the worst pick of the draft. Couldn't agree more. 

I don't disagree that Fashanu will play and that he should be a very good player. But as a backup in 2024 we'll have to wait and see if he plays enough to feel good about using pick 11 on him.  If he sees the field and plays six or seven games would it not have been better to use a proven vet for those few games and have an additional weapon for what you expect to be seventeen games?  IMO that was a better route.

The fact that Douglas was trying to trade up and take a receiver instead of Fashanu tells us he saw the need for a play maker.

I know that it wasn't surprising to everyone, but as I've watched them make one move after another that's aimed at winning this year, I was surprised that Douglas had a weapons as his top priority but then went with a backup instead.

[BornJetsFan1983]

10 hours ago, #27TheDominator said:

You couldn't even skip to the part where he graded the pick?  B+ isn't enough?  It must be an A++++++!

I just wish the grade matched the article. If you want to say it was bad at least grade it bad. 

[RedBeardedSavage]

I get why the Isiah Davis pick is criticized - but I think it’s largely a function of him being the second RB we took, not the player - as was said in the OP.

But I’m more skeptical of Braelon Allen tbh. I watched that underdog fantasy video of him - essentially “big, but doesn’t play big”, “no 40 time/athletic testing”, “massive whiffs in pass protection”.

Feel like I would’ve preferred a guard (or safety) @ Braelon Allen’s pick.

Not a scout, have no idea if this a ridiculous take, but just as a fan, I see more about Isiah Davis that I like - and think his physicality + pass pro makes him more likely to be the guy that closes out games for us. 

[AFJF]

On 4/29/2024 at 3:29 AM, BornJetsFan1983 said:

Did not get past the first paragraph...

 

46 minutes ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

I just wish the grade matched the article. If you want to say it was bad at least grade it bad. 

"I just wish the grade matched the article I didn't read"

 

[rangerous]

I don’t see many issues with this years draft.  Douglas didn’t have many top picks to works with so it looks like he was going to fill team needs more than bpa.  Fashanu is going to have plenty of playing time.  It might not be at left tackle but sooner or later an oline player will be out and fashanu might be the first one up.  Corley seems pretty good too.  Can he field punts?  Travis is a good pick.   I’m not keen on FSU QBs but the guy was a long term starter and FSU had a pretty good record.

[Doggin94it]

On 4/30/2024 at 12:43 AM, BornJetsFan1983 said:

you can dismiss what I said cause you don't like it. Perfectly reasonable. And perfectly in line with what most expect of your comments. 

He could, but mostly he's dismissing it because it's abjectly moronic on its own terms.