The Jets spent more time on the phones early on Day 3 than picking players in the 2024 NFL Draft.
General manager Joe Douglas opened the day with three fourth-round picks but traded back three times to open the day with the Packers, Lions and 49ers. In the end the Jets picked up two fifth-round picks, one sixth-round and a 2025 third-round pick.
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The Jets didn't make their first pick until No. 134 after their trade-heavy fourth round. New York took Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen with the pick to pair him with Breece Hall in the backfield.
Who did the Jets take on Day 3?
- Fourth round, pick No. 134: Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen
- Fifth round, Pick No. 171: Florida State QB Jordan Travis
- Fifth round, Pick No. 173: South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis
- Fifth round, Pick No. 176: CFL CB Qwan'Tez Stiggers
Jets 2024 draft grade for RB Braelon Allen
This is a curious pick. Running back wasn't necessarily a major need for New York, but the Jets added one of the most interesting prospects in the class.
Allen is a bowling ball for a running back at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds. He also had three solid seasons at Wisconsin and finished his college career with almost 3,500 rushing yards with 35 touchdowns on almost 600 carries. Allen is also one of the youngest players in the draft, as he won't turn 21 until January 2025.
The potential is there, and the Jets didn't have a good backup running back for Breece Hall, even if he's expected to dominate carries in 2024. Allen can spell Hall in high-leverage situations that require a bruiser in the backfield.
Grade: A-
Jets 2024 draft grade for QB Jordan Travis
One of the worst-kept secrets in the NFL Draft was the Jets' interest in a late-round quarterback. This was even more obvious when New York traded Zach Wilson to the Broncos. The Jets reportedly wanted Travis in the fourth round but waited until the fifth to take him.
Travis produced in college. He completed 62.5% of his passes during his four years at Florida State and totaled 8,715 passing yards for 65 touchdowns with 19 interceptions. Travis was on track for a great senior season before he suffered a year-ending ankle injury in the 11th game of the season.
The Jets' only backup quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers is Tyrod Taylor, so quarterback was a need for New York. Travis is the perfect fit because he won't be asked and shouldn't see the field in 2024. He can sit and learn from two of the best veterans in the game and potentially give the Jets a starting-caliber player in a post-Rodgers world.
Grade: A
Jets 2024 draft grade for RB Isaiah Davis
Davis is the second running back drafted by the Jets and the sixth in the Joe Douglas era. Oddly enough, he's a similar profile to Allen in that Davis is big at 6 feet and 218 pounds and productive. He rushed 676 times for 4,548 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns.
This decision means that another Douglas running back draft pick, Izzy Abanikanda, is likely the odd man out in the running back room with Allen and Breece Hall locked in for roster spots. It also signals the Jets are looking to spell Hall more after he dominated the backfield in 2023.
Grade: C
JETS DRAFT PICKS 2024: Full list of NFL Draft selections for Jets
Jets 2024 draft grade for CB Qwan'tez Stiggers
Stiggers is one of the most interesting players in the draft. He didn't play college football after dropping out of Lane College in 2020 following the death of his father. Stiggers ended up in the Fan-Controlled Football League before joining the CFL's Toronto Argonauts where he won the Outstanding Rookie Award. He tallied 53 tackles and five interceptions during the 2023 season.
Stiggers fits the bill of an NFL cornerback. He's 6-foot-1 and 197-pound and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day.
The Jets have three quality cornerbacks in Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed and Brandin Echols, but no one else before that trio. Stiggers should slide right in as a good backup for the Jets in 2024.
Grade: A-
Jets 2024 draft grade for S Jaylen Key
Key finished as the draft's Mr. Irrelevant, but he also fits a need in New York. He has the size to play safety, but not enough athleticism to excel at the position at the next level. The Jets needed safety help, though, so taking a flier on Key isn't a solid move for the Jets' final pick in 2024.
Grade: B
Jets trade back three times on Day 3
The Jets had three fourth-round picks to start the day but traded back three, one of which included a future third-round pick. Here are the two trades the Jets made Saturday:
Jets trade with Packers
- Jets receive: No. 126, No. 190
- Packers receive: No. 111
Jets trade with Lions
- Jets receive: 2025 third-round pick
- Lions receive: No. 126
Jets trade with 49ers
- Jets receive: No. 173 and No. 176
- 49ers receive: No. 129
