It’s that time of the year again.
No, the 2024 NFL Draft isn’t exactly around the corner. But for those who root for teams that are completely out of running for a playoff spot barring some unforeseen miracle, looking at mock drafts is a way to stay engaged when your team’s season is in the toilet, for lack of a better term.
One of those teams is the New York Jets, who have seen their season spiral following a 4-3 start. Yes, you could argue that New York’s seasons spiraled after Aaron Rodgers snapped his Achilles just four snaps into his Jets tenure, but the team was still largely competitive up until its two latest drubbings at the hands of the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
While Rodgers has been cleared to start practicing, with the Jets opening up his 21-day window Wednesday, New York currently stands at 4-7 and owns the No. 8 overall selection in April’s draft. However you may feel about Rodgers, the Jets will be running it back with him in 2024 — for better or worse.
So, if Gang Green would like to be moving in the right direction, it would behoove general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh — assuming they’re still in power — to build around the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
And that’s exactly what Dane Brugler of The Athletic has New York doing.
🚨Mock Draft 1.0
– Bears draft two cornerstone players
– Jayden Daniels 📈👀
– 20 yrs later, Cardinals get another Larry Fitz
– Record number of first-rounders at a certain position (not WR)https://t.co/ZkNm2Otsz1— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 29, 2023
However, The Athletic’s lead draft analyst has them making a surprising move. In Brugler’s first mock draft of the season, he has the Jets passing on an offensive lineman, in order to select Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers.
Here’s Brugler’s explanation for the selection:
Assuming the Jets are all in with Aaron Rodgers for the 2024 season, the team’s first-round pick likely will be an offensive player who can contribute from Day 1. Whether you line him up at tight end, wide receiver or a hybrid position, Bowers can be a difference-maker and quickly emerge as one of the Jets’ go-to weapons.
Bowers, the reigning John Mackey Award winner, has hauled in 51 receptions for 661 yards with six receiving touchdowns in 2023. His Georgia Bulldogs could very well be competing for a third-straight national championship if they’re able to get past Alabama in this weekend’s SEC Championship game. Bowers, who very reasonably could have three games remaining on his schedule, has a chance to finish the season strong and officially cement himself as the No. 1 tight end in the 2024 draft class; if he wasn’t already.
In any event, Saleh and Co. could do a lot worse than adding a player of Bowers’ caliber to compliment Rodgers.
