5 players the NY Jets could've drafted instead of Will McDonald

4. The NY Jets could've drafted Zay Flowers instead of Will McDonald

The Jets could not have messed up the wide receiver position more if they tried last offseason. A large part of their failure comes from how the team viewed the wide receivers in the 2023 draft class.

Multiple reports have confirmed that the Jets didn't have a single first-round grade on a wide receiver in last year's draft. Yes, that includes possible Rookie of the Year Puka Nacua, although it's fair to excuse them for that, given that he was widely seen as a Day 3 prospect.

The same can't be said about Zay Flowers, however. Flowers was seen as one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 draft class, and he lived up to the hype as a rookie, finishing with 77 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns.

Flowers is already the top wideout in Baltimore and could've been a massive addition to the Jets' offense. Alas, the team put all their eggs in the Allan Lazard and Mecole Hardman baskets instead.

3. The NY Jets could've drafted Dalton Kincaid instead of Will McDonald

There were reports around draft season last year that the Jets had interest in former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. Ultimately, the Jets went with McDonald, while Kincaid fell 10 spots to No. 25 overall, where he was selected by the Buffalo Bills.

Kincaid split time at tight end with Dawson Knox as a rookie, but he still managed to finish the season with 73 catches for 673 yards and two touchdowns. In a year of outstanding rookie tight ends, Kincaid may have been a little overshadowed, but he still produced at a high level.

More of an oversized wide receiver than a true tight end, Kincaid would've been an excellent addition to a Jets' offense that was trotting out Randall Cobb and a trio of undrafted free agents alongside Garrett Wilson for much of the season.

Kincaid would have been an unorthodox selection for the Jets in Round 1, but there's no denying he would've had a larger impact in year one than McDonald.