5 players with local ties NY Jets can target in 2024 NFL Draft

2. Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky

A native of Sicklerville, NJ — the same hometown as Jets wide receiver Irv Charles — Devin Leary is a potential late-round quarterback option for a Jets team that seems likely to explore their QB options in the draft.

Leary played four years at NC State, putting together an outstanding 2021 season that saw many projecting him as a possible future first-round pick, before transferring to Kentucky in 2023.

At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Leary has an NFL-caliber arm and some impressive off-schedule abilities, but he's still looking to recapture the magic of that 2021 season. Inconsistencies and turnovers have proven to be a problem over the last two years.

Leary has more upside than some of the other Day 3 quarterback prospects, making him an intriguing candidate to be the Jets' developmental third QB.

1. Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

Audric Estime grew up in Nyack, New York, just 15 minutes north of the New Jersey border. In a relatively weak running back class, Estime is making a case to be the most undervalued player at his position in the draft.

Estime led Notre Dame in rushing in each of the last two seasons, rushing for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2023. At just 20 years old (he doesn't turn 21 until September), he's also one of the youngest players in this class.

Estime is a powerful, bruising running back who stands at 5-foot-11, 222 pounds. His 4.71 40 time at the Combine will scare some teams away, but play speed never seemed to be an issue for him on tape.

He fits the exact mold of running back the Jets should be looking for and should be available early on Day 3. Estime isn't just a feel-good local story — he's someone the Jets should legitimately look to target as Breece Hall's primary backup.