After months of speculation, we are on the eve of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Three months after they were hired, general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn will select the first draft picks of their tenure beginning on the first night of the NFL Draft.
After all the turnover on their roster, the Jets still have several needs to address.
After finishing 5-12 last season, Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Morgan Moses, D.J. Reed and Tyler Conklin all departed this offseason. While they have filled the quarterback vacancy after signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, right tackle, tight end, wide receiver, defensive tackle, and pass rusher remain a concern before the Jets will select seventh overall on Thursday night.
Gang Green has eight picks entering the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 7, 42, 73, 110, 145, 162, 186, 207). Mougey and Glenn are currently in their honeymoon period, as the Jets won’t begin their season until September. But they need to find several starters to build the foundation of their team.
“I feel good about where this roster is at right now in April and I feel good about going into the draft,” Mougey said during Monday’s pre-draft press conference. “Adding some good players that can help us win and after the draft, it doesn’t stop. We’ll be scouring the street list for workouts, the alternative leagues, potential trades and it just never ends, but I feel good about where the team is at now and feel good about adding players that are going to help us in this draft.”
Mougey said the Jets are open to moving up and down the draft board. It appears unlikely the Jets would trade up from seventh overall. However, they could potentially move up and down the draft board on Days 2 and 3, depending on which prospects are still available.
RT OR TE: WHICH IS THE TOP PRIORITY
The Jets decided to improve their trenches last year when they selected left tackle Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick. Now, the Jets need to address the right side of their offensive line.
Shortly after free agency began last month, Moses departed for the rival Patriots, which created a void at right tackle. Because of that, LSU’s Will Campbell, Missouri’s Armand Membou and Texas’ Kelvin Banks could all be options at No. 7. However, many draft analysts expect Campbell to be selected by the Patriots at fourth overall.
That would leave the Jets deciding between Membou and Banks. Membou was a two-year starter at right tackle for the Tigers and would provide a plug-and-play option for the Jets. During his three seasons at Missouri, Membou allowed just three sacks. In his final two seasons, Membou allowed just 23 combined pressures and did not allow a sack in 411 pass-blocking snaps.
Banks, while largely considered the third-best offensive lineman in this year’s class, was almost equally as good at Texas. He was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Longhorns and allowed a total of four sacks in 1,544 pass-blocking snaps during that span. However, Banks does not have extensive experience at right tackle, which would be a significant transition in the league.
“This group in the draft, I think it’s good,” Mougey said. “I think there’s some players there that can play. I think it’s a good group.”
If the Jets want to address the tight end position in Round 1, there are two dynamic options in Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland. Warren at 6-5, 255 pounds, is a big, athletic tight end who can find holes in defenses. Being a former high school quarterback helps him exploit defenses and recognize coverages, which enables Warren to get open regularly.
Warren was second in the nation in receptions with 104. He also registered 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns for the Nittany Lions.
Loveland is more of a natural pass catcher, who at 6-6, 248 pounds, also has tremendous size. He has the versatility to line up in a traditional tight end or in a slot position. Loveland recorded 55 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns for the Wolverines.
JETS COULD ALSO USE HELP ON D-LINE
In addition to the offensive line, the Jets could use help on the defensive line. Yes, they have both Will McDonald and Quinnen Williams, but there are serious questions to address in the trenches. The Jets struggled to get pressure on quarterbacks most of last season. In their final 12 games, the team registered 25 sacks, which was 25th in the league during that stretch.
If the Jets were to address the defensive line at seventh overall, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham could be in play, assuming he is still on the board. Graham is the best defensive tackle available in this year’s draft because of his quick step off the line and the ability to display a variety of pass-rushing moves. He is also an excellent run stuffer who shows a ton of relentlessness to get to ball carriers.
In 12 games, Graham registered 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks at Michigan.
POSSIBLE WR OPTIONS ON DAY 2
After releasing Adams, the Jets need another wide receiver to take pressure off Garrett Wilson. Allen Lazard will return after accepting a pay cut this offseason, but he has just 60 receptions in two seasons with the Jets.
There isn’t a ton of wide receiver talent like there was during last year’s draft. However, there could be some intriguing options on Day 2 for the Jets. Among those are Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins and Texas’ Isaiah Bond.
Higgins, at 6-4, 214 pounds, can play every wide receiver position. He has excellent hands and the ability to go up and make contested catches, along with a high IQ.
In his lone season at Texas, Bond caught 34 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns. However, on April 10, Bond was taken into police custody in Frisco, Texas, on an outstanding sexual assault warrant. He later posted a $25,000 bond and was released from custody.
COULD JETS DRAFT DEVELOPMENTAL QB ON DAY 3?
It is unlikely the Jets would take a quarterback early in this year’s draft. However, signing Fields shouldn’t preclude them from selecting a developmental quarterback on Day 3.
Assuming that is the case, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers could be the top available option. The Jets met with Ewers during Texas’ pro day. He passed for 3,472 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and completed 65.8% of his passes. However, Ewers is considered to have average arm strength and decision-making skills, which could cause him to slide to Day 3.
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