The New York Jets have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL in 2024. That disappointment starts and ends with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
With a 3-10 record entering Week 15 of the NFL season, the talk surrounding the Jets is whether this NFL squad is in for a complete rebuild in a season in which they have fired their head coach and general manager.
The silver lining for the Jets is they currently are trending towards a top 5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If the team is on the verge of a rebuild, it will be a key asset in rebuilding the foundation of the Jets. The big question will be where do they start?
ESPN put together a list of early outlooks and roster holes to fill for each team. In analyzing the Jets, it obviously starts with the question surrounding Rodgers.
Rich Cimini writes:
“The Jets will have a new general manager, a new coach and a new drafting philosophy in 2025. Assuming they part ways with Aaron Rodgers, the big storyline will be the quarterback position. Do they start another rebuild with a high draft pick, or do they try to fix things on the fly with a bridge quarterback? If the new regime opts for a teardown, it could look to accumulate draft assets by trading one of the team's young stars before handing him a second contract.”
Those young stars he is talking about are Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner and Breece Hall, who are all in eligible for new deals and will demand big contracts. Will the Jets need to replace one of those stars with an elite talent in the 2025 NFL Draft or should the focus be on a top QB prospect? NFL Mock drafts everywhere are having fun predicting what the Jets will do.
USA Today NFL Mock Draft: Jets land big star on defense
In this draft, there will be first-round worthy quarterbacks maybe slipping to Day 2. The Jets could opt to sign or trade for a veteran quarterback and then draft a young talent in the second round. If they go that route, a dynamic playmaker on defense could fall into the Jets hands in the top 10 of the draft.
In the latest USA Today Mock draft, both USA TODAY Sports’ Aryton Ostly and Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick have the Jets landing an edge rusher. While Ostly predicted Georgia’s Jalon Walker, Flick went with Penn State’s Abdul Carter, who would be the better fit for the Jets giving his versatility and instincts on defense. This of course is if they could really pass up a quarterback at this spot in the draft. Is a player like Carter too good to pass up on is the question.
Again, a lot of this depends on what they do with the young stars they already have.
CBS Sports NFL Mock Draft: Jets stick with defense, but a different kind of player
The Jets do have needs along the defensive line, but it is interesting NFL Mock drafts are leaning towards the defensive side when the team’s obvious need will be at the QB position. As mentioned, it is possible a team like the Jets can land a QB on Day 2 and perhaps that is why mock drafts have them grabbing top defensive talent here.
In CBS Sports’ recent mock draft, the Jets go with Michigan star Mason Graham would be a force on the interior of the defensive line.
CBS Sports’ writer Josh Edwards writes:
“It is unknown who will be New York's coach and general manager next season. No one knows what resolution will come to be with the team and Aaron Rodgers. As it stands, Mason Graham is a great player who would be terrifying next to Quinnen Williams.”
More 2025 NFL Draft talk on Mason Graham:
In stating the unknown, the Jets are a team in peril right now. Unless they can somehow land Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, finding players who can help Day 1 is the trend when it comes to NFL mock drafts when it comes to the Jets. Obviously, depending on the next GM and head coach the direction and outlook could change. Whether its Graham or a player like Carter, this AFC East squad should go with the sure bet and take their change at QB on Day 2 or be a landing spot for veteran QBs who may be looking for new homes in 2025.