Draft week has arrived meaning mock drafts will come at a furious pace this week as analysts make their final predictions. With the draft just days away, let’s take a crack at a Jets-only seven-round mock draft, using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator.
10. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The top options among the pass-catchers were off the board but Brock Bowers was still available for the Jets at No. 10. Bowers has become one of, if not the favorite, to be the selection if the Jets stay where they are in the first round. Bowers is far and away the best tight end in this class and his catching ability will help open up the field for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
78. Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame (trade with Washington)
The Jets address the offensive tackle position here in round three with a player that can develop into a solid starter as soon as 2025. Fisher will have the ability to sit and learn behind Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and perhaps be in the mix to be one of the top swing tackles with 2023 fourth-round pick Carter Warren. The Jets picked up a fifth-round pick to move down six spots and still get one of their targets they had at 72.
111. Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
If the Jets are looking for a slot option on Day 3, Arizona’s Jacob Cowing fits the mold perfectly. He may be undersized (5’8″, 171 pounds) but he brings excellent route-running and good separation skills. He’s also caught 244 passes and has 27 touchdowns over the last three seasons between Arizona and UTEP. The Jets need pass-catchers and have so far come away with the best tight end and a sneaky slot option in this draft.
134. Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
Mustapha was a hybrid player for Wake Forest, able to play both center field and in the slot. He models his game after Cardinals safety Budda Baker. If the Jets can get that from a fourth-round pick, that’s a win for Joe Douglas. Mustapha would contribute on special teams early and can work himself into the mix in a safety room that currently has Tony Adams, Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis and Jarrick Bernard-Converse. He would at least compete for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart.
139. Maason Smith, DL, LSU (pick acquired from Washington)
Smith may not have a ton of experience — he started just one year at LSU — and may be inconsistent on the field, but he would have room to grow in a strong defensive tackle room and he has size defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would love at 6’5″ and 308 pounds.
185. Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky
General manager Joe Douglas said he would love for the Jets to become a quarterback factory, similar to that of the Packers in the 1990s and beyond. That would also give credence to the thought that the Jets are likely to select a quarterback on Day 3 of the draft. In this case, the Jets make the move in Round 6 with Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary, who was born in Vorhees and grew up in Sicklerville.
Leary transferred to Kentucky after five years at North Carolina State (redshirted as a freshman) and played in Liam Cohen’s offense after Coen spent time with Sean McVay and the Rams. Coen is now the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His numbers weren’t all that great at Kentucky — completing just 56 percent of his passes with 12 interceptions — but he does have a strong arm. He can develop into a backup quarterback and maybe some spot starts. He does turn 25 in September.
256. C.J. Hanson, OG, Holy Cross
The Jets add some depth along the interior of the offensive line with Hanson, a Third-Team All-American in 2023 at right guard and has also been working on snapping the football during the draft process. He could project as a reserve for the Jets behind the likes of Joe Tippmann and Alijah Vera-Tucker.
257. Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia
The Jets double dip from Georgia by wrapping up the draft with running back Kendall Milton. Milton dealt with injuries throughout his time at Georgia, including an MCL injury in 2023. However, he battled through and rushed for 14 touchdowns last season in 13 games, which was tied for second-most in the SEC. Milton has a similar size to Breece Hall and can also help in pass-protection. The Jets may still add a veteran running back, but another big body like Milton can help give Hall a breather from time to time while keeping the flashiness of Izzy Abanikanda.
