NY Jets 7-round mock draft following the Mike Williams signing

The NY Jets will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch this draft season. It once seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Jets would draft an offensive lineman in the first round, but recent roster moves have possibly altered plans.

The Jets signed All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith to pair with fellow offseason additions Morgan Moses and John Simpson. All of a sudden, drafting an offensive lineman early was no longer a top priority for the Jets.

The same could be said about the wide receiver position following the team's signing of Mike Williams. The Jets enter the draft in an envious position where they don't have any pressing roster needs that must be addressed in the first round.

That offers the team incredible flexibility to go in a variety of different directions in this year's draft. What did we do with that flexibility? Here's a look at our latest Jets mock draft courtesy of Pro Football Focus' mock simulator.

Round 1, 17th Overall, NY Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia (via JAX)

The Jets find themselves in an excellent position to trade down to accumulate extra draft capital. That's especially important given the team's lack of a second-round pick in such a deep and talented draft class.

Our trade sees the Jets move down seven slots in the first round, picking up a second-round pick in the process. The Jets are fortunate enough that one of their top targets is still available at pick No. 17.

Brock Bowers has emerged as the latest trendy pick for the Jets in mock drafts, and it's easy to see why. The Georgia star is seen as a possibly generational tight end prospect, with many expecting him to be as high as a top-10 pick.

Positional value and team needs push him down the board here as the Jets land a potential offensive cornerstone with the 18th overall pick. Bowers fills the role of an additional offensive weapon for the Jets.

Round 2, 48th Overall, NY Jets: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan (via JAX)

The addition of a second-round pick opens up a world of possibilities for the Jets on Day 2, and instead of reaching for an offensive lineman at this spot, we added yet another playmaker in Michigan's Roman Wilson.

The most important trait for wide receiver prospects coming out of college is separation skills. Wilson might be the best pure separator in his draft class.

At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Wilson is undersized and isn't the most physically dominant receiver, but he makes up for it with outstanding route-running ability, explosive speed, and excellent hands.

Wilson would be a day-one contributor in the Jets' offense, giving the team a better WR3 option than Allen Lazard. With Mike Williams on a one-year deal and Garrett Wilson's extension eligibility next offseason, it makes sense for the Jets to get younger and cheaper at wide receiver.

Roman Wilson is one of my favorite wide receiver prospects in this year's class. He'd be a phenomenal get for the Jets.

Round 3, 72nd Overall, NY Jets: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

Even after adding three new starting offensive linemen this offseason, the Jets could still use some extra depth. That's especially true given that both Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are on one-year deals.

We addressed that depth with the addition of Houston's Patrick Paul here in the third round. Paul is an experienced NFL prospect, having started 44 games over four years as Houston's starting left tackle.

At 6-foot-7, 331 pounds, Paul has outstanding size and athleticism for the position. He's still a work in progress from a technical standpoint, but Paul has the physical traits and alpha-dog mindset to be a long-term starter in the NFL.

Paul is an ideal developmental left tackle prospect who can sit and learn behind Smith for a year before possibly taking over the starting job in 2025.

Round 4, 111th Overall, NY Jets: Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

The Jets seem likely to add a running back at some point this offseason, and while that could very well come in free agency, it wouldn't be shocking to see the team invest another mid-round draft pick into the position.

Notre Dame's Audric Estime fits the criteria of what the Jets should be looking for in a running back this offseason. At 5-foot-11, 221 pounds, Estime is a strong, powerful running back who possesses excellent contact balance and deceptive home-run ability.

Estime thrives between the tackles with fantastic contact balance and plus-vision. He also has some versatility as a pass-catcher and pass-blocker, making him valuable in third-down situations.

The Jets should be looking for a powerful short-yardage back who can complement Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda, and Estime gives them exactly that. He's going to be a good NFL player.

Round 4, 134th Overall, NY Jets: Beau Brade, S, Maryland

The Jets parted ways with Jordan Whitehead this offseason and have yet to bring back Ashtyn Davis. Though the team did re-sign Chuck Clark, it would make sense for the Jets to add to the position in the draft (if not through free agency).

Maryland's Beau Brade is one of the most well-rounded safety prospects in this year's draft. At 6-foot, 2303 pounds, Brade aligned all over Maryland's defense and is comfortable both in the box and patrolling the defensive backfield in coverage.

While Brade isn't the biggest nor the most athletic safety prospect, he comes with an NFL-ready skill set that should allow him to find a home early in his pro career.

The Jets have prioritized safeties that have the versatility to play interchangeable roles. Brade's high-floor skill set and college experience make him an ideal third safety in Robert Saleh's defense.

Round 6, 185th Overall, NY Jets: Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky

The Jets finally prioritized the backup quarterback position this offseason, signing veteran Tyrod Taylor to serve as Aaron Rodgers' primary backup. That doesn't mean the Jets are done adding to their QB room, though.

The Jets have been doing their homework on a number of mid-to-late-round QB prospects in April's draft, and one late-round quarterback who could catch their eye is Kentucky's Devin Leary.

Leary is a local product hailing from Sicklerville, NJ who spent five years at NC State before transferring to Kentucky in 2023. Although he's an older prospect, Leary still has quite a few traits that make him an intriguing developmental quarterback.

Leary has an NFL-caliber arm with the ability to create outside the pocket despite his so-so athleticism. The Jets could take a chance on this local New Jersey native with the hope that he could at least develop into a young, affordable backup.

Round 7, 257th Overall, NY Jets: Brian Ugwu, EDGE, Miami (OH)

The Jets couldn't go one draft without adding a defensive lineman, right? Robert Saleh's defense said goodbye to Bryce Huff this offseason, and while the team is still exploring the free-agent edge rusher market, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team address the position in the draft as well.

One player who has shades of Huff in his game is Brian Ugwu of Miami University in Ohio. Ugwu is a bit undersized at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, but he plays with a red-hot motor and could find a nice home in Saleh's defense.

Much like Huff, Ugwu's calling card is his quick first step and explosive athleticism that allow him to make up for his lack of overall power. He's never going to physically overwhelm opposing offensive linemen, but he is able to bend his way around them.

Ugwu is another New Jersey native (and former Rutgers commit) who never realized his potential in college. Perhaps the Jets could use their Mr. Irrelevant draft pick on the next Bryce Huff.