2024 Jets NFL Draft Grades: Complete Analysis

The New York Jets wheeled and dealt at the 2024 NFL Draft, coming away with some key support pieces that could help round out a team on the verge of contention.

New York Jets 2024 NFL Draft grades

Round 1, Pick 11: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Grade: A+

With Washington star receiver Rome Odunze going off the board to the Chicago Bears at No. 9, the Jets traded back one slot from 10 to 11 and picked up some extra draft capital in the process. With it, they continued to bolster their strengthened offensive line with the steady Fashanu, who did not allow a sack in 382 pass-blocking snaps last season. GM Joe Douglas did well to address the need for offensive tackles earlier this offseason by bringing on Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, but both are on the wrong side of 30 and durability questions obviously arise with that. Rather than one injury potentially unraveling good work, the Jets now have a future starter who will learn on the fly from two proven veterans. After all, the name of the game is to keep Aaron Rodgers on his feet and healthy.

Round 3, Pick 65: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

Grade: A-

Odunze being linked to the Jets made it clear that depth at the wide receiver spot was a priority for Douglas — and rightfully so. Mike Williams was a big-time signing to provide a legitimate No. 2 playmaker behind Garrett Wilson, but the former Charger has been injury-prone. Corley has been a big-time playmaker during his career at Western Kentucky, posting over 3,000 yards with 29 touchdowns.

Round 4, Pick 134: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

Grade: A-

The Jets traded back some more but still managed to come away with an important piece for their backfield. Breece Hall is the finesse No. 1 rusher and Allen should get a crack at becoming a third-down, short-yardage option behind him. Look for him to become a goal-line option, as well. In three years at Wisconsin, he scored 45 touchdowns.

Round 5, Pick 171: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State

Grade: B+

The Jets moved up to get Travis, who would have gone much higher on draft boards had he not suffered a season-ending leg injury in November. He was the man pulling all the strings for a then-undefeated Florida State side. In 11 games, he posted over 2,700 yards with 20 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. There is more rehab work to be done, obviously, but he will be afforded the time to heal with Rodger being backed up by Tyrod Taylor. Then he’ll get to learn under a future Hall-of-Famer in Rodgers. Imagine after decades of drafting first-round quarterbacks unsuccessfully, the Jets find a future franchise option in the fifth round?

Round 5, Pick 173: Isaiah Davis, LB, South Dakota State

Grade: B

Another running back helps create more competition behind Hall and more opportunities for the Jets to find the right backfield combination. Davis led the FCS in rushing last season with 1,578 yards and was tied for the most rushing touchdowns with 18. Over his four-year South Dakota State career, he rushed for over 4,500 yards with 50 touchdowns.

Round 5, Pick 176: Qwan’tez Stiggers, DB, Toronto Argonauts

Grade: B-

Stiggers’ story is quite an inspiring one. He dropped out of college in 2020 after his father passed away and did no resurface until 2022 when he played in the semi-pro 7-on-7 Fan Controlled Football League. The next year, he showed up in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts where he won the league’s most outstanding rookie award with five interceptions and 56 tackles.

Round 7, Pick 257: Jaylen Key, S, Alabama

Grade: C

Key, now “Mr. Irrelevant” as the last pick of the draft, transferred from UAB to Alabama last season where he posted 60 tackles and an interception. The Jets needed safety depth even with Ashtyn Davis returning on a one-year deal.