The New York Jets had an eventful 2024 NFL Draft, making several trades to acquire additional picks and address their needs. They began by trading down one spot to the 11th pick and selecting Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. This move was aimed at laying a foundation for the future, as the Jets had aging free agents at the tackle spots. Fashanu is known for his pass-blocking skills, having allowed zero sacks on 733 pass-blocking snaps over his college career. He is expected to become an anchor for the Jets’ offensive line.
In the second round, the Jets did not have any picks, but they made a trade with the Carolina Panthers to move up in the third round and select Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley with the 65th pick. Corley is known as “the YAC King” for his ability to gain yards after the catch and force missed tackles. He is a physical receiver who is expected to make tough catches for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets continued to address their needs in the fourth round by selecting Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen with the 134th pick. Allen is praised for his maturity and is considered one of the better pass-blocking backs in this draft class. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in his college career and has the potential to be a productive tandem back in the NFL.
Overall, the Jets made strategic moves to address key positions in the draft. They prioritized their offensive line by selecting Fashanu, added a dynamic wide receiver in Corley, and bolstered their running back depth with Allen. These picks not only fill immediate needs but also set a strong foundation for the future of the Jets’ roster. The team’s focus on building a solid offensive core shows their commitment to improving their offense and giving their quarterback the support he needs to succeed.