NY Jets 7-round mock draft following the Tyron Smith signing

The NY Jets' entire strategy for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft may have changed following the team's addition of Tyron Smith. That's a very good thing as well.

The Smith signing doesn't necessarily take the Jets out of the running for an offensive tackle in the first round, but it does provide a bit more draft flexibility. The Jets can still draft an offensive tackle, but they could also address other pressing needs as well.

That happens to be what we did in this mock draft. Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu were off the board, as were each of the top three wide receiver prospects. That presented a unique opportunity that we were able to explore because of the Smith signing.

With the help of Pro Football Focus' mock simulator, here is our first seven-round Jets mock draft post-Tyron Smith signing and Morgan Moses trade.

Round 1, 10th Overall, NY Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

As stated above, the likes of Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze were all off the board. Rather than reach for another receiver like Brian Thomas Jr. or target a right tackle prospect like Taliese Fuaga, we went a different route.

Georgia's Brock Bowers is very much at play for the Jets in the first round if he slides to the 10th overall pick. Bowers is considered to be one of the best tight end prospects in recent memory.

At 6-foot-3, 243 pounds, Bowers functions as an oversized wide receiver in the passing game with a rare blend of speed, athleticism, and route-running ability. He isn't quite the blocker that a player like George Kittle is, but it's an area of his game that is improving, and you can never criticize his effort.

The Jets need playmakers on offense, and Bowers would give them just that. He can split reps with Tyler Conklin as the Jets find ways to get both players on the field. Think of Bowers as an all-around offensive weapon and the pick makes more sense.

Round 3, 72nd Overall, NY Jets: Javon Baker, WR, UCF

Javon Baker is one of my favorite wide receiver prospects in this year's draft class, and that's saying a lot given how loaded this class is with receiver talent. Baker is someone who has consistently gone overlooked.

The former Alabama recruit doesn't have top-end speed or athleticism. He isn't going to wow anyone with his physical traits, but he's one of the most NFL-ready prospects in this class with outstanding route-running ability and top-notch blocking skills to boot.

Baker might never be a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level, but it's very easy to project him carving out a 10+ year career as a reliable second or third option. That's what he could be for the Jets from day one.

The Jets need floor-raisers in their receiving corps, and while Baker's ceiling isn't as high as some of the wideouts in this class, his floor is undoubtedly one of the highest.

Round 4, 111th Overall, NY Jets: Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh

Ideally, the Jets would also sign someone like David Bakhtiari in this scenario to give the team even more tackle depth going into the draft. Bakhtiari could also be an option they explore after the draft if they still feel the need to add extra depth.

Either way, the Jets finally address the offensive line with the selection of Pittsburgh's Matt Goncalves here in the fourth round. Goncalves grew up in Manorville, NY, and attended high school on Long Island, making this a bit of a hometown hero story.

At 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, Goncalves has outstanding size for the position that he blends with impressive power and versatility. He has significant experience at both tackle spots, and many even see him as a guard at the next level.

Goncalves could compete with players like Carter Warren and Max Mitchell for depth spots on the offensive line, giving the Jets another young tackle to develop into a hopeful potential starter in the future.

Round 4, 135th Overall, NY Jets: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State

The addition of Tyron Smith gives the Jets significant draft flexibility, so much so that it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team add a developmental quarterback at some point on Day 3. Here we take a chance on Florida State's Jordan Travis with the final pick in the fourth round.

Travis is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in this class, having appeared in almost 50 collegiate games. He will turn 24 years old just a few days after the draft, but that experience works in his favor.

Travis is an excellent athlete who extends plays with his legs and creates plays outside of structure. His lack of size and top-tier arm strength prevents him from being a top-draft pick, as does the fact that he's coming off a devastating season-ending leg injury.

NFL teams will love Travis's leadership and resilience, and he just seems like someone who should continue to get better at the next level. He's a worthy prospect to develop behind Aaron Rodgers as the Jets' new QB3 in the short term.

Round 6, 185th Overall, NY Jets: Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss

The Jets parted ways with Jordan Whitehead and could say goodbye to Ashtyn Davis this offseason. While the team did bring back Chuck Clark, the Jets' safety room could look pretty different in 2024.

If Davis walks, the Jets might need to add a safety who can fill his role on special teams and perhaps develop into a defensive role. That player could be Daijahn Anthony.

Anthony transferred to Ole Miss from Liberty prior to his senior season, earning an invite to both the 2024 NFL Combine and East-West Shrine Bowl following a strong campaign.

Anthony is a hard-hitting physical safety who can hold up in coverage. He's probably never going to be a deep-coverage safety, but his tackling and athletic abilities should make him an early special-teams contributor.

Round 7, 256th Overall, NY Jets: Zion Tupuola-Fetui, EDGE, Washington

Zion Tupuola-Fetui looked like a potential future first-round pick after recording seven sacks in just four games during Washington's COVID-shortened 2020 season. Unfortunately, a torn Achilles suffered in the offseason has completely derailed his career.

Tupuola-Fetui has never fully managed to recover the athleticism and burst that made him such a highly-touted prospect. He's made strides over the last few seasons, but he's still working his way back each year.

The positives with Tupuola-Fetui are that he plays with a red-hot motor and has a well-versed pass-rush skill set. He's Robert Saleh's type of player, even if he may be a little light to play 4-3 defensive end right now.

Tupuola-Fetui could come into camp and compete for a roster spot in a talented Jets pass-rush group. It's worth taking a chance on his upside even if ever can recover the athleticism lost from his Achilles injury.

Round 7, 257th Overall, NY Jets: Carson Steele, RB, UCLA

The Jets seem likely to add a veteran running back to their backfield at some point, but as of now, the only backup behind Breece Hall is 2023 rookie Israel Abanikanda.

The Jets can use a big-bodied bruising running back to complement Hall and perhaps be used in short-yardage/red-zone situations. UCLA's Carson Steele is a late-round flier who fits the bill.

Steele runs with excellent contact balance that allows him to excel in between the tackles. He's also a better-than-expected pass catcher and a willing blocker, which should allow him to carve out a role early in his career.

Steele lacks high-end athletic traits and will likely never be anything more than a rotational back, but he fills a role the Jets are currently looking to fill. He also has one of the coolest names in the draft, which never hurts.