The New York Jets have spent the offseason improving the offense in preparation to make a run at Super Bowl LIX. General manager Joe Douglas is surrounding franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a better supporting cast. That theme should continue in the 2024 NFL Draft if one of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze falls to the Jets' No. 10 pick. New York should draft one of those receivers if given the opportunity.
General manager Joe Douglas has spent the majority of his offseason improving the Jets' offensive line. It's easy to understand why after Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury mere seconds into Week 1. The Jets ended up allowing a 29th-ranked 64 sacks throughout the 2023 season. Douglas signed eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith to a highly incentivized one-year contract. Right tackle Morgan Moses was acquired in a shrewd trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Just like that, the Jets have two new starting bookends to keep Rodgers upright this season.
Acquiring those tackles should allow Douglas to focus on other areas of the roster throughout the 2024 draft, including wide receiver. Garrett Wilson returns as an appropriate No. 1 wideout who should post career-best numbers as a third-year pro this year if Rodgers stays healthy. Behind Wilson, there are some question marks that a prospect like Nabers, Odunze, or Harrison Jr. would address.
Mike Williams is the projected No. 2. He signed a one-year deal after being released by the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams is a 1,000-yard receiver at his best, but the former Clemson standout is coming off a season-ending ACL injury. That makes Williams a bounce-back candidate, but the Jets need to protect themselves in case Williams suffers a setback or is slow to recover his previous form. As of now, the Jets aren't well-prepped for the worst-case scenario.
The Jets signed Allen Lazard last offseason to a four-year contract worth $44 million. Lazard had previously played alongside Rodgers in Green Bay. That built-in chemistry was supposed to translate. Lazard struggled mightily throughout 2023 following Rodgers' injury, and Douglas has since made Lazard available in trade talks, according to reports from The Athletic. The Jets are seemingly searching for ways to rid themselves of Lazard's bloated contract.
If (and when?) the Jets move on from Lazard, there is no proven candidate to replace him. Xavier Gipson and Malik Taylor help make up the other receivers on the roster. The Jets can't seriously expect to contend for a Super Bowl while relying on them in prominent roles.
The passing offense averaged a 30th-ranked 171.7 yards per contest last season. Rodgers' Week 1 season-ending injury undeniably played a massive role in that disappointing number, but a lack of pass-catching depth also took center stage. Tight end Tyler Conklin and running back Breece Hall were the second and third most productive pass-catchers. Better depth is needed.
Douglas further signaled his aggressive intentions to compete for a Lombardi earlier this week by acquiring EDGE Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles. Lombardi has done a quality job building out a more complete roster in preparation for Rodgers' return to the starting lineup. Drafting a receiver with the No. 10 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft would further position the Jets as legitimate contenders.
