If the New York Jets earn the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, then a new general manager may be the one making the selection.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller released ridiculously-early 2025 Round 1 projections and slotted the Green & White at No. 20 in the order - one spot behind the Los Angeles Rams and one spot in front of the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins.
In that hypothetical scenario, New York would end its 13-year postseason drought but suffer a quick exit in the Super Wildcard round. Such a result could prompt ownership to move on from general manager Joe Douglas and it's unknown if the 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers will play beyond the 2024 season.
Likely following that line of rationale, ESPN projected the Jets to use their first-round selection to draft a potential successor to their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback. The suggested pick is Notre Dame's Riley Leonard, a transfer from Duke.
Leonard is the fifth quarterback off the board in the 2025 mock draft. The projected No. 1 overall pick is Georgia signal caller Carson Beck.
New York added a developmental field general through the draft this past spring, selecting injured Florida State starter Jordan Travis in Round 5.
If, however, the personnel department falls under new management, it's highly likely a new GM would want to hand pick the franchise's quarterback of the future. Can Leonard be that guy?
From ESPN's 2025 NFL mock draft:
“Aaron Rodgers is turning 41 years old this season and will be coming off a torn Achilles. Sure, he might play several more seasons, but the Jets still have to think long-term about the roster. … But the accuracy, mobility and decision-making he showed in 2022 have scouts believing he's ready to break out in a new scheme.”
