10 players who the NY Jets can draft with the Mr. Irrelevant pick

The NY Jets have only made one Mr. Irrelevant selection in franchise history, that coming all the way back in 1969 when they selected a player who would never play a down in the NFL. This year, they should have another opportunity.

The Jets are scheduled to have five picks in total on Day 3 of the draft including the final selection of the event at pick No. 257 overall. It can be difficult to predict exactly who might still be on the board at that spot, but the following 10 players on this list make sense for a variety of reasons.

Let's take a look at a few prospects who could end up being the Jets' Mr. Irrelevant pick in this year's draft.

10. Cole Burgess, WR, SUNY Cortland

Cole Burgess has an opportunity to become the first SUNY Cortland player drafted since 1967. The upstate New York native is hoping to make a massive jump from Division III to the NFL, but his excellent 8.92 RAS suggests he might be able to do it.

Burgess met with the Jets at both the Syracuse and Buffalo pro days, per his interview with The Jet Press, and could be an intriguing field stretcher for a team that might still be looking for receiver help. Why not go with the local product for a feel-good story?

9. Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State

Day 3 of the NFL Draft is oftentimes a goldmine for teams looking for future core special-teamers. Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson stands out as one of those players for the Jets.

Watson was a tackle machine in college, earning second-team All-American honors as a senior in 2023. He was the only linebacker the Jets hosted on a top-30 visit — a clear indication that he's very much on their radar.

8. Qwan'tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto Argonauts

Qwan'tez Stiggers is one of the most intriguing players in this class. Stiggers never played college football, instead going the semi-pro route before a standout season with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts in 2023.

Still at just 22 years old, Stiggers has an appealing blend of size and speed that could interest some NFL teams. He's another player the Jets hosted on a top-30 visit.

7. Donovan Jennings, OL, USF

The Jets could still be searching for offensive line depth after adding Olu Fashanu on Day 1. One versatile and experienced Day 3 lineman who could catch their eye is Donovan Jennings.

Jennings told The Jet Press that he spoke to the Jets "a lot" in the pre-draft process including an extended meeting at the East-West Shrine Bowl. With nearly 50 career starts under his belt, Jennings could be an intriguing tackle-to-guard convert at the NFL level.

6. Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall

Back to another top-30 visit this time with experienced Marshall cornerback Micah Abraham. The Florida native played a whopping 62 career games at Marshall and has experience playing both safety and cornerback.

At just 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Abraham projects best as a backup nickel corner and potential special-teamer in the NFL. His. 4.43 speed should help him earn a roster spot for some NFL team this summer.

5. Austin Reed, QB, Western Kentucky

The Jets drafted Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Day 2 of the draft. Why not draft his college roommate and quarterback Austin Reed on Day 3?

Reed developed a very close relationship with Corley in college, and while he lacks the desired physical traits for the quarterback position, he could stick around as QB3 who could develop into an affordable long-term backup.

4. Michael Hiers, QB, Samford

The Jets hosted three quarterbacks on top-30 visits this spring, but the only one likely in play for the Mr. Irrelevant selection is Samford's Michael Hiers. Hiers went the JUCO route before finishing his college career at FCS-level Samford in 2023 and 2023.

At just 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Hiers also lacks the expected physical traits to be a true developental quarterback. He's probably more of a camp body who could develop into a potential backup if he reaches his ceiling.

3. Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire

General manager Joe Douglas has drafted a running back in every year he's been with the organization, and that might not stop this year. If the Jets want to go the local route, New Hampshire Dylan Laube could be a fun story.

The Long Island native has drawn comparisons to former Jets running back Danny Woodhead. At just 5-foot-9, 206 pounds, Laube isn't an overly explosive athlete, but he's an accomplished pass catcher who could provide value as a third-down back.

2. Javontae Jean-Baptiste, EDGE, Notre Dame

Robert Saleh likely isn't going to leave this draft without adding at least one defensive lineman. One Day 3 target the team brought in for a top-30 visit is Notre Dame's Javonte Jean-Baptiste.

The New York native had a productive senior season at Notre Dame after spending five years struggling for playing time at Ohio State. He's not your typical explosive Saleh pass rusher, but he plays with a high motor and can be effective in run defense.

1. Giovanni Manu, OT, British Columbia

At 6-foot-7, 352 pounds, Giovanni Manu caught the NFL by storm during the pre-draft process when he recorded a 5.06 40-yard dash and a ridiculous 33.5-inch vertical at his pro day.

The British Columbia (Canada) product is as raw as offensive tackles come, but his absurd size and athleticism prompted nearly half the league to host him on a top-30 visit, the Jets included. Manu has a chance to be the largest Mr. Irrelevant selection in NFL history.