The Jets own the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but that doesn't mean New York will stay there.
New York is "exploring" options to trade up for a "playmaker" for Aaron Rodgers and the offense, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. The Jets are in win-now mode in 2024 and need to give Rodgers as many weapons as possible in a pivotal season. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall are great foundational pieces, and free-agent wideout Mike Williams is a solid addition, but that isn't enough for the Jets to compete in the AFC and the NFL.
There are a few obvious teams the teams could trade with before the No. 10 pick. Quarterbacks are expected to go off the board in the first three picks, meaning the Jets could have their pick of top players early in the first round.
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Jets trade up scenarios
Arizona Cardinals
The first three picks could all be quarterbacks, meaning the Cardinals' pick might be the first opportunity for a team to take a player like receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. or offensive tackle Joe Alt. Arizona already has a lot of draft capital, but a move back to the No. 10 pick would set them up to grad a quality player either way. This would be the most expensive trade-up scenario for the Jets, but one that'd have to make to ensure they land a player the team covets.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a lot of needs across the roster and may not want to just grab the best player available with the No. 5 pick, so it would make a lot of sense for LA to trade back and accrue more draft capital. New Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz also worked with Jets GM Joe Douglas when they were both with the Ravens, a relationship ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote could set up an easy line of communication for New York to move up. This pick would become even more valuable if a team trades up to No. 4 to take a quarterback.
Atlanta Falcons
While the Jets could move up anywhere from picks No. 4 to No. 9, the Falcons' No. 8 selection is perhaps the cheapest trade-up scenario for New York. It would also ensure the Jets leapfrog a Bears team that could also be interested in a top pass-catcher or offensive tackle. This would be a trade the Jets would only make if a player falls that Douglas believes the Bears also want.
Jets 2024 draft targets: TE | WR | OL
Jets trade up targets
Four pass-catchers could be selected in the top 10, three of which are wide receivers who could go anywhere from No. 4 to No. 9. The other is tight end Brock Bowers, who is arguably one of the best skill position players in the class but could go anywhere from the top five to the middle of the first round.
TE Brock Bowers
The Jets hosted Bowers ahead of the draft and he's been the most-mocked player to New York with the No. 10 pick. But considering how valuable he is as an offensive weapon, the Jets might need to trade up for him to ensure another team doesn't swoop in ahead of New York to grab him.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Many consider Harrison Jr. to be the best non-quarterback prospect in this class. His skills translate well to the NFL and Harrison Jr. should be a Day 1 starter for the team that drafts him. That means that if the Jets want him, they'll need to move up — possibly as high as No. 4 with the Cardinals. Harrison Jr. played with Wilson at Ohio State and would give the Jets one of the best wide receiver trios in the league.
WR Rome Odunze
Odunze appears to be the player most likely to fall later in the top 10 than the rest. That makes him an ideal target for the Jets to trade up. New York met with Odunze as well, so there is interest from the team. If Odunze slides outside the top six picks, the Jets could easily move up to snag him.
WR Malik Nabers
Nabers is an interesting prospect given the variance of his play. Some consider him a better prospect than Harrison Jr., while others question his ability to perform at the next level. Either way, he'll be one of the top wide receivers drafted and would require a trade-up if the Jets want him.
