Jets rumors: Insider confirms what we all knew about Brock Bowers, Rome Odunze

The NY Jets may have surprised a small segment of their fanbase when they selected Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Many expected the Jets to target a skill position player like Georgia tight end Brock Bowers or Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

The Jets were particularly high on Odunze, even reportedly trying to trade up before the Chicago Bears took him at No. 9 overall. Despite all the pre-draft connections, Bowers was passed over before the Las Vegas Raiders took the best layer available at No. 13 overall.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler gave further validity to the recent scuttlebutt, hinting that Odunze would have been the pick over Fashanu if he was available. Bowers, meanwhile, wasn't as popular in Joe Douglas' office as the wave of mock drafts beforehand may have suggested.

"The sense around the league is the Jets were pretty set on Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 10 overall, unless Washington receiver Rome Odunze was available," Fowler said. The people I've talked to believe the Jets would have jumped at Odunze, though they correctly figured Chicago was taking him there. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers was a consideration for the Jets but not a major one."

NY Jets rumors: Team liked Rome Odunze, not in on Brock Bowers

Odunze could have been the team's WR2 for the future, pairing with Mike Williams and Garrett Wilson to create arguably the best trio in the league. The Jets addressed wide receiver with their next pick, trading up to No. 65 overall to select Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley.

While Bowers is such a unique tight end prospect that he warranted a pick in the top half of the first round due to his receiving skills, the Jets seem content with Tyler Conklin as the starter and Jeremy Ruckert as the backup heading into the 2024 season.

Fashanu is likely not going to play much during his rookie season, as Tyron Smith will hold down the left tackle spot while Morgan Moses starts over at right tackle. With the Jets' top receiver off the board, Douglas thought the best way to go was finding a left tackle who could start for the next decade if he reaches his full potential.

Odunze will hit the ground running in Chicago, while Bowers will get targets in Las Vegas. The Jets, meanwhile, seem confident in Fashanu being an offensive cornerstone.