2025 NFL Mock Draft: NY Jets draft Aaron Rodgers' replacement in top 10

The NY Jets were supposed to compete for a Super Bowl this season, but they instead find themselves back in the familiar territory of the top 10 in the NFL Draft order thanks to a 3-8 start. After just one full season, the Aaron Rodgers experiment has already been a complete failure.

The Jets will likely be hitting the reset button once again at the end of what will be their 14th consecutive season without making the playoffs. This means a new head coach, GM, and quarterback (in all likelihood) will try to be the ones to finally reverse the curse.

In order to accomplish that nigh impossible task, whoever comes in to replace Joe Douglas following his abrupt firing will need to follow this plan of attack to set the Jets up for success in the near future.

2025 NFL Mock Draft: NY Jets draft Aaron Rodgers' replacement 3-round mock

1st Round: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

The Jets will likely be bad enough to pick high in the first round, but not bad enough to draft either of the draft's top two prospects in Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Miami's Cam Ward.

Milroe would be the next best option for New York, although he is a risk due to his subpar pre-snap diagnosis skills and wavering accuracy on intermediate throws. Milroe is the pick for anyone who is obsessed with traits.

Milroe has 4.3 speed at 225 pounds, and his vertical game is one of the more impressive of any top passer in this class. He likely won't be ready to start in 2025, though the Jets likely will be willing to take it on the chin next year anyway. In terms of high-end potential and traits that can be developed, Milroe has everything the Jets could ask for.

2nd Round: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

The Jets' run-stuffing issues aren't as bad as they were at the beginning of the season, but they remain one of the main reasons this defense hasn't been as good as it was last year.

Quinnen Williams will be back, but he needs a new running mate who can stuff the run better than Javon Kinlaw. Williams, using his 327-pound frame, has done that at an exceptional clip in his time with the Buckeyes.

Williams may not have the most pass rush upside of defensive tackles that are on the fringes of the first round, but the need for un defense is so vital that New York might be willing to overlook that.

If whoever ends up being the new head coach brings in a respected defensive mind or holds on to defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, Williams may end up becoming a solid pass rusher.

3rd Round: Xavier Watts, SAF, Notre Dame

The Jets have neglected the safety position for years. With Tony Adams being benched and the play around him underwhelming, it makes all the sense in the world for the next GM of this team to pick a player on Day 2 who could become an immediate starter.

A five-year contributor for the gold-domers who has picked off 11 passes in the last two seasons, Watts is a ball hawk in the mold the Jets haven't had in the last few years. Watts may rise in the draft if he posts better workout numbers.

More NY Jets news and analysis: