Cam Ward and 7 2025 NFL Draft prospects NY Jets fans should already be eyeing

The season is over. It's over in November. This isn't new for the NY Jets, but it's still incredibly disappointing. This was a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. It did not turn out that way. Head coach Robert Saleh was fired after a 2-3 start, and the franchise has melted down since.

Now that we know Aaron Rodgers is likely gone, Jeff Ulbrich is likely gone, and Joe Douglas is likely gone, this offseason is the biggest for the franchise in years.

It all starts with the 2025 NFL Draft. Though we don't know exactly where they'll be picking, it is time to take an early look at who the Jets could be targeting in April.

NY Jets draft targets

Cam Ward, QB, Miami

• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 223 pounds

It's becoming less and less likely that Aaron Rodgers will return next season, and it's been a long time since the Jets had a QB who can kill you on the ground and in the air. In fact, save for a very brief stint with Michael Vick, they've never had a true dual-threat QB.

It would be a breath of fresh air to have such an exciting young athlete to get behind. It would likely involve trading up a bit (although at this point maybe not).

In his first two seasons at Washington State, he threw for almost 7,000 yards, boasting 48 touchdown passes and only 16 interceptions. In 10 games with the Hurricanes this season, he's thrown for 3,494 yards with a 32/6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has an excellent arm with elite scrambling ability.

Though he's an outstanding athlete, he always maintains a pass-first mentality with eyes down the field. It would be exciting to hand over the reins to Ward — the kind of threat at QB the Jets have never had.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

• Height: 6-foot-2
• Weight: 215 pounds

For my money, this is the most talented QB coming out this year. Sanders has a strong arm, he's athletic, he has a good sense of timing in the pocket, and he has greatness literally built into his genes.

He's been around NFL locker rooms and players as long as he's had memory, and he has already dealt with plenty of spotlight during his college career. I don't think New York will be too big for him.

In his two seasons at Colorado, he has thrown for 6,112 yards and 51 touchdowns on just 9 interceptions. He has an absolute cannon for an arm, even stronger than Ward. Pre-snap, he is as good as anyone coming out. He is very much an NFL-ready prospect.

There is potential downside. The attention that comes with anyone in the Deion circle is immense, and the potential for drama is always lingering. Who even knows if the Jets are a team that his father would sign off on?

Also, depending on his draft stock come April, he may go a little too high for the Jets. But if he's around when they are picking, that's a hard talent to pass up.

Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 252 pounds

This would give the Jets a lot of versatility. Carter is a linebacker/edge combo who gets to the QB. He's nimble and quick on his feet, but is deceptively strong and finishes most tackles. He's also athletic enough to get out in coverage a little bit when needed, especially in zone.

In three seasons at Penn State, he has a total of 19 sacks and 144 tackles, with 33 tackles for loss. With C.J. Mosley aging, and Jamien Sherwood possibly expendable, Carter would be a solid young backer to place opposite Quincy Williams.

He would also (more likely) slot in along the defensive line as a potential game-changing edge rusher. Carter has the ability to impact the defense in a multitude of ways, giving the Jets options for how to use him.

Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

• Height: 6-foot-5
• Weight: 265 pounds

This would give the Jets the perfect guy to line up in between Quinnen Williams and Will McDonald. It would also give them some versatility on the line, as Mykel Williams can line up over both the tackle and the guard.

He has a good combination of speed and power, so he can be used in several different ways. He's solid enough against the run, and you definitely don't have to worry about his motor.

Williams has the size and athleticism to develop into a very solid pass rusher. In three seasons at Georgia, he has combined for 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. He's got the size, speed, power, and pedigree that you want in a first-round pick on the defensive line.

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

• Height: 6-foot
• Weight: 190 pounds

It looks like there is a good chance that D.J. Reed won't be around next season. Giving Sauce Gardner a good young counterpart opposite him doesn't sound like a bad idea. In today's NFL, you can never have enough cornerbacks, and securing Morrison means securing arguably the best one in the draft.

Morrison is quick and athletic, he's physical, and he makes plays in the run game on the outside. He also provides some versatility being that he can play on the outside or in the slot. Another reason to keep your eye on him is he is likely going to be more than realistic for the Jets in the middle of the first round.

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

• Height: 6-foot-1
• Weight: 205 pounds

Malaki Starks is strong, fast, and has good instincts in the secondary. He's a ball hawk who's also not afraid of contact. In terms of his fit on the Jets, they are likely going to need as many safeties as they can get their hands on. Given Chuck Clark's contract situation, and Ashtyn Davis' disappointing Jets stint, they aren't exactly loaded at this position.

Starks could give them stability in the middle of the field for years to come. He is good against the run, consistently finishing tackles with authority.

He is also a threat in the air, proving to be another versatile defensive option for the Jets. Similar to Morrison, he is likely going to be there for them in the middle of the first and would fit in well with the framework already in place.

Will Campbell, OT, LSU

• Height: 6-foot-6
• Weight: 323 pounds

This could be a tough one to snag depending on where the Jets end up in the draft. Campbell is widely considered to be the best offensive lineman coming out.

With Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses likely not returning next year, they will need to begin to rebuild the offensive line. Campbell would be the tackle opposite Olu Fashanu for the future.

Whether it is Aaron Rodgers one more time, a free agent signing, or a draft pick, the offensive line is going to have to be better for whoever is behind Center next year. They can't allow the next QB to take the abuse that they have allowed Rodgers to.

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