2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Experts don't think NY Jets will draft an OL

The NY Jets will have the opportunity to add an instant-impact offensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft later this year. With the 10th overall pick in this year's draft, most expect the team to use their top draft selection on an offensive lineman.

Notre Dame's Joe Alt and Penn State's Olu Fashanu have both been frequently connected to the Jets in mock drafts. The likes of Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga and Alabama's JC Latham have also been projected as potential Jets targets.

But what if the Jets don't draft an offensive lineman in the first round? What if they address that position group in free agency/the trade market and go in a different direction in the draft?

That's what many recent mock drafts seem to believe will happen. Here is a look at three recent mock drafts that project the Jets to add an offensive playmaker and not a lineman.

NY Jets mock drafts

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia - The Draft Network

This pick projection has been gaining a lot of steam in recent weeks, and it makes plenty of sense. Brock Bowers isn't your typical tight-end prospect — hence why most expect him to be selected at some point within the top 10 picks.

At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Bowers is essentially an oversized wide receiver who also doubles as an effective blocker. He's drawn comparisons to George Kittle and is widely seen as one of the best tight-end prospects to enter the NFL in years.

Bowers is a two-time winner of the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's best tight end, and is fresh off a Unanimous All-American season in 2023.

The Jets should be looking for any and all ways to add playmaking skill players to their offense, and while Bowers may not be the obvious first choice, he's absolutely someone who should be on their radar.

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington - Sportskeeda

If the Jets don't draft an offensive tackle in the first round, the most obvious other position the team will target is wide receiver. This year's class is loaded with receiver talent, with Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. at the top of most draft boards.

But with Harrison likely out of reach, another player the Jets could look to target is Washington's Rome Odunze. Odunze is coming off a 1,400-yard season at Washington in 2023 that helped lead his team, alongside Michael Penix Jr., to the National Championship Game.

At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Odunze is an explosive athlete and smooth route-runner who has no trouble high-pointing passes and making catches in traffic. He'd be a perfect running mate for Garrett Wilson in the Jets' offense.

Wilson was actually seen recruiting Odunze to join the Jets in a recent post on Instagram, so it seems like the team would have the approval of their star receiver. He's very much an option for the Jets in the first round.

Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State - Pro Football Network

One player who hasn't been connected to the Jets as much as the other two on this list is Florida State's Keon Coleman, but Will Helms of Pro Football Network has him going 10th overall to the Jets in his mock.

Coleman is your classic physical X receiver. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Coleman possesses elite ball skills and raw physical strength that allow him to dominate at the catch point and overwhelm opposing defensive backs.

He lacks top-level deep speed, and some have questioned his route-running ability, but Coleman's skill set would give the Jets an ideal complement to Garrett Wilson — and what the team hoped they were getting in Allen Lazard.

Coleman is seen more as a mid-to-late first-round prospect at this time, but there's a chance he could climb up draft boards with an impressive pre-draft process.