Best players remaining for NY Jets on Day 3 of the NFL Draft

The NY Jets have only made two picks through the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft, but you'd be hard-pressed to find many teams who have had a more successful draft to this point.

Olu Fashanu and Malachi Corley both fill immediate and future needs as potential building blocks in the Jets' offense. But with five picks still remaining entering Day 3, the Jets have the ability to make some more waves in this year's draft.

The good news is that there are still quite a few very intriguing players left on the board. Let's take a look at 15 of the most appealing targets for the Jets on Day 3 of the draft.

15. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech

If there's one position on defense that remains a need for the Jets, it's the safety position. Texas Tech's Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is one of the top safeties still available entering Day 3.

Taylor-Demerson is undersized at just 5-foot-10, 197 pounds, but he's an outstanding athlete who offers versatility as a nickel corner and core special teamer. He could be on the Jets' radar in the fourth round.

14. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

The Jets could still add another wide receiver even after drafting Malachi Corley in the third round. One player who could serve as a perfect complement to Corley is North Carolina's Devontez Walker.

The former Kent State transfer is one of the best deep threats in this class, with 4.36 speed and excellent ball-tracking ability. The Jets could double up and take another wide receiver with one of their three fourth-round picks.

13. Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

The Jets passed on drafting Georgia's Brock Bowers in the first round, but if they're still considering adding a matchup-nightmare tight end in this draft, perhaps Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders could interest them.

Sanders is more of an oversized wide receiver/H-back, who could essentially fill the role Bowers' would've occupied. He would be a nice complement to Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert if the Jets want to add another tight end.

12. Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College

The Jets could still be looking to add to their interior offensive line depth on Day 3 of the draft, and one of the top remaining players on the board is Boston College's Christian Mahogany.

Mahogany started 34 games split between left and right guard in college, earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2023 after missing the 2022 season due to a torn ACL. The New Jersey native has good size for the position and is an impressive run-blocker, making him an appealing early Day 3 target.

11. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU

Robert Saleh loves his athletic defensive tackles, and LSU's Mekhi Wingo remains one of the best players at his position still available. The Jets don't need to add a defensive lineman, but Saleh usually tends to get his way with this position group.

Wingo is an undersized but athletic 3-tech prospect with an explosive first step who would fit in well in Saleh's defense. Perhaps the Jets consider using one of their fourth-round picks on him.

10. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State

The Jets have shown considerable interest in two mid-round quarterbacks in this draft class, one of whom is Florida State's Jordan Travis. There's a very real chance he's a target for the Jets on Day 3.

Travis was one of college football's most exciting players in 2023 before a leg injury ended his Florida State career prematurely. The reigning ACC Player of the Year is an excellent athlete with underwhelming size and arm strength, but scouts have raved about his leadership qualities.

9. Brenden Rice, WR, USC

The son of the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Brenden Rice met with the Jets on a top-30 visit and projects as more of a Mike Williams/Allen Lazard-type wide receiver at the next level.

Rice is still developing as a route-runner, but he thrives as a jump-ball red-zone threat who can use his large frame to box out defenders. If the Jets can find a taker for Lazard in a trade, Rice would be a logical replacement.

8. Tanor Bortolini, C/OG, Wisconsin

Tanor Bortolini is the player who replaced Joe Tippmann at center for Wisconsin in 2023, and much like Tippmann, Bortolini is also rocking a mullet. It would be fun to reunite these two former college teammates on the Jets this season.

Bortolini has experience playing all three interior offensive line spots and could provide important interior depth for the Jets. His connection to Tippmann could make for a wholesome reunion story.

7. Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

Jaden Hicks was seen by many as arguably the best safety prospect in this year's draft, which is why it's a slight surprise that he's still available on Day 3. The Jets should seriously consider drafting him if he's still on the board when they pick next.

Hicks brings an excellent blend of size and speed with the ability to play both downhill and on the back end as a rangy cover safety. He's one of the prizes in a weak safety class and could provide an immediate boost to an unproven Jets safety room.

6. Javon Baker, WR, UCF

Javon Baker is one of my personal favorite wide receivers in this draft class. Even after adding Malachi Corley on Day 2, Baker should be one of the Jets' top targets on Saturday.

The former Alabama recruit is a well-rounded wide receiver prospect who lacks elite physical traits but makes up for it with polish, nuance, and effort. Baker projects best as a developmental Z receiver who could compete for snaps early in his career.

5. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

After six quarterbacks were drafted on Day 1, it was a little bit of a surprise that none were taken on Day 2. That leaves South Carolina's Spencer Rattler as the clear-cut top remaining quarterback on most teams' boards.

Rattler revamped his stock at South Carolina after his career at Oklahoma fizzled out, putting up some impressive numbers as a senior under offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains (yes, that Dowell Loggains). He would be a perfect mid-round QB prospect to develop behind Aaron Rodgers.

4. Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

Joe Douglas has added a running back in each of his four draft classes with the Jets to this point. There's a decent chance he will make it five in a row this year.

Notre Dame's Audric Estime has been my preferred Jets running back target for months. At 5-foot-11, 222 pounds, Estime is a bruising short-yardage back who would be a perfect complement to Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda. He should be a fourth-round target.

3. Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State

If there ever was an edge rusher in this class for Robert Saleh to fall in love with, it's Mohamed Kamara. The Jets hosted the "Bryce Huff clone" on a top-30 visit, and it's easy to see why the team is interested.

The Newark, NJ native has a lightning-quick first step and plays with a red-hot motor. He's everything Saleh covets in a pass rusher, making him a very realistic Day 3 target for the Jets.

2. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Troy Franklin might be the consensus best player available entering Day 3 of the draft. There were some who believed Franklin could sneak into the first round, which makes his slide all the more surprising.

At 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Franklin has a thin frame but remains one of the best field stretchers in this class. His downfield upside is reminiscent of a player like D.J. Chark. If he's somehow still on the board when the Jets pick in the fourth round, Franklin should be a serious consideration.

1. Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane

The Jets haven't exactly been secretive about their interest in Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt. If you're placing bets on any player to be drafted by the Jets on Day 3, it should be him.

Pratt has all the baseline tools to be a capable NFL quarterback, and while he lacks any real standout traits, he has the skill set and mental makeup to carve out a lengthy career as a fringe starter/backup. He's someone the Jets seem to be very high on, evidenced by his top-30 visit.