4 players NY Jets could target with No. 7 pick in 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft will offer an opportunity for the NY Jets to reset their franchise. The Jets enter the offseason eyeing a new head coach, a new general manager, and most likely a new quarterback to lead their roster moving forward.

It'll be a much-needed overhaul for an organization that is coming off arguably its most disappointing season in team history. The Jets' new regime will be rewarded with one of the top picks in this year's draft.

The Jets are officially set to pick seventh overall in this year's draft, incredibly for the first time in franchise history. While most agree the 2025 draft class is not exactly the strongest in recent memory, the Jets will still have an opportunity to add a talented player to their roster come April.

Now that the dust has settled and the draft order is set, which top prospects should Jets fans get to know over the coming months? Here are four possible candidates for the Jets to draft in the first round this year.

Prospects the NY Jets can target in the 2025 NFL Draft

1. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Mason Graham is widely seen as a top-five player in this year's draft class. A 2024 Unanimous All-American, Graham was arguably the best player on a stacked Michigan defense that won a national championship in 2023.

Graham is an excellent athlete with outstanding size — 6-foot-3, 318 pounds — who can single-handedly take over games as a pass rusher. He also offers plenty of upside as a run defender with the versatility to play anywhere from 1-tech defensive tackle to 5-tech as a 3-4 defensive end.

Adding Graham to a defensive line that already features Quinnen Williams, Will McDonald, and a returning Jermaine Johnson could help revitalize the unit as a legitimate strength of the Jets' defense. Williams and Graham would immediately form arguably the league's best interior duo.

2. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Another defensive line prospect who could be available at pick No. 7 is Penn State's Abdul Carter. A converted off-ball linebacker, what Carter lacks in experience he makes up for with otherworldly athletic traits.

The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is an explosive pass rusher with fantastic size at 6-foot-3, 259 pounds. Carter has one of the quickest first steps of any player in this draft class and has the size/athleticism blend to make up for his technical deficiencies as a run defender.

Pairing Carter with Johnson and McDonald would give the Jets a scary trio of edge rushers to deploy moving forward. Is it the biggest position of need for the Jets? Not necessarily. But sometimes you take the blue-chip prospect if they're on the board.

3. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

This year's wide receiver class may not be as deep as in recent years, but there are still a few high-end talents. One of whom is Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, who is widely expected to be a top-10 pick in April.

McMillan is a physically imposing wide receiver prospect who stands at 6-foot-5, 212 pounds. The Hawaii native racked up over 2,700 yards over the last two seasons at Arizona, earning Consensus All-American honors in 2024.

McMillan lacks elite downfield speed, but he separates well for a receiver his size due to his advanced route-running. If the Jets move on from Davante Adams — which seems likely at this stage — McMillan could be a perfect replacement to pair with Garrett Wilson.

4. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

There are some scouts who firmly believe Will Johnson is the best player in this year's draft class, and they may have a valid argument At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Johnson is everything teams look for in an elite No. 1 cornerback.

The Michigan product provides a rare blend of size, length, and physicality with the versatility to excel in both man and zone coverage. Johnson has impressive length for the position and is a willing tackler who seems to relish opportunities to contribute in run defense.

With D.J. Reed expected to walk in free agency, the Jets could double down on the cornerback position and pair Johnson with a similar physical freak in Sauce Gardner. A Gardner-Johnson duo could instantly give the Jets the best cornerback room in football again.