5 way-too-early 2024 NFL Draft prospects the NY Jets could target

We're still just two months removed from the 2023 NFL Draft that netted the NY Jets a number of intriguing potential building blocks, but it's always fun to look ahead to the future — especially when it's June, and there isn't much else to talk about.

The Jets, of course, hope that they aren't picking early in next year's draft. In fact, the Jets are hoping that they don't have a first-round pick at all. If Aaron Rodgers plays 65 percent of the team's offensive snaps in 2023, the Jets will send a first-round pick to Green Bay as part of the agreed-upon trade.

That doesn't mean we can't still look at a few potential targets in next year's draft, however. It's too early to say if the Jets will have the opportunity to draft any of these players (or what their draft stock will be), but they could, at least, be names to keep an eye on.

Let's take a look at five way-too-early 2024 NFL Draft prospects Jets fans should monitor over the coming season.

5. Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State

The Jets' offensive line remains a sizable work in progress entering the 2023 season. In short, there are more question marks than answers at the moment. The Jets are in need of additional long-term building blocks along the offensive line.

Kansas State's Cooper Beebe could be that player. Beebe would have likely been one of the highest-ranked offensive line prospects had he declared after his redshirt sophomore season in 2022. Instead, he returns in 2023 with a chance to solidify himself as the guy next year.

The 22-year-old began his career as a standout left tackle, starting 13 games in 2021 en route to earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. Kansas State moved him inside to left guard in 2022, and he responded with a fantastic season that saw him named first-team All-American.

Beebe projects as a Day 1 prospect right now, but it's impossible to predict how the upcoming season will go. He's definitely an offensive line prospect to keep tabs on over the coming months.

4. Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

The Jets have added edge rushers in the first round of each of the last two drafts, but if there's one thing we know about Robert Saleh, it's that he can never have enough pass rushers.

If the Jets are looking to go the same route again in 2024, Florida State's Jared Verse is definitely someone they could be eyeing. Much like Beebe, Verse likely would've been a first-round pick had he declared for this year's draft.

The former Albany standout transferred to Florida State prior to the 2022 season, and he quickly proved that the step up in competition wasn't an issue. Verse recorded 9.0 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss, earning first-team All-American honors in the process.

Verse has the inside track to being the top edge rusher in next year's draft class. Whether for the Jets or another team, he's definitely a top prospect to monitor this season.

3. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Jets are still trying to figure out their offensive tackle situation as we enter the 2023 season. As it stands, there isn't a tackle on the Jets' roster who is guaranteed to be on the team in 2024.

That could lead the team to target the position early in next year's draft. Notre Dame's Joe Alt fits the prototype that the current seems to prefer in their offensive tackle prospects.

Alt stands at 6-foot-8, 315 pounds with impressive athleticism, especially given his background as a tight end. He's entering his third year as Notre Dame's starting left tackle in 2023 and figures to be one of the top offensive tackle prospects in next year's draft.

Mekhi Becton's future is uncertain, and Duane Brown seems unlikely to play another year. Don't be surprised if the Jets add an offensive tackle early in the 2024 NFL Draft, with Alt as an obvious target.

2. Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson

Another position that remains a significant question mark for the Jets at the moment is safety. Jordan Whitehead, Adrian Amos, and Chuck Clark are all set to be free agents at the end of the season, meaning that no current/projected starter will be under contract in 2024.

The Jets could decide to completely overhaul the safety position next offseason, and if they do, Clemson's Andrew Mukuba could be a potential target. Mukuba is an early candidate to be the top safety in a potentially thin class in 2024.

At 6-foot, 185 pounds, Mukuba doesn't have the size that other top safeties do. Instead, it's his versatility and athleticism that help him stand out. Mukuba is a true Swiss Amy Knife in Clemson's defense, capable of playing everywhere from box safety to free safety to nickel cornerback.

He's very much a modern-day safety and quite possibly exactly what this Jets' defense is missing. Mukuba is definitely someone the Jets should keep a close eye on.

1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Ideally, the Jets won't have the opportunity to draft Ohio State superstar Marvin Harrison Jr. The son of the legendary Marvin Harrison is seen as one of the top prospects in next year's draft and a likely top-10 pick entering the season.

Ohio State has produced some incredible wide receivers in recent years. From Garrett Wilson to Chris Olave to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Terry McLaurin to Michael Thomas, the Buckeyes have become a pipeline for receivers in the NFL. Harrison has the potential to be better than all of them.

In his first season as a starter in 2022, Harrison finished with 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns en route to being named a Unanimous All-American.

Barring any unforeseen events, the Jets likely won't have an opportunity to draft Harrison, but if somehow disaster strikes in 2023, at least the team could potentially look forward to targeting one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory.