NY Jets' draft direction feels painfully obvious at this point

The NY Jets have the flexibility to explore a number of different routes in the 2024 NFL Draft. They've been connected to seemingly every wide receiver and offensive line prospect, they've been tied to Brock Bowers, and they've been projected both to trade down and trade up.

As we sit here on the week of the draft, however, one clear draft plan has emerged as the most likely route for the team to take — at least as far as reading the tea leaves is concerned.

The Jets seem likely to target a pass catcher over an offensive lineman. It's unclear if that pass catcher will be Bowers or a wide receiver. It's unclear if the team will stay put at No. 10 or trade their pick.

What does seem evident, however, is that nearly every projection has the Jets selecting a pass catcher. Nearly every NFL insider and Jets reporter believes that's the route the Jets will take.

NY Jets seem likely to draft an offensive weapon in Round 1

SNY's Connor Hughes has the Jets trading up to draft Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first round. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt believes they will move up to draft Washington's Rome Odunze.

ESPN's Rich Cimini directly suggested that he believes the Jets will target a pass catcher in the first round — not an offensive lineman. All the latest betting odds agree the Jets are much more likely to draft Bowers or a wide receiver at this point as well.

Of course, nothing is confirmed until the Jets make their selection Thursday night, but the growing belief around the NFL is that Gang Green will draft a pass catcher, and they might be aggressive in pursuit of one of their top targets.

If one of the big three wide receivers — Harrison, LSU's Malik Nabers, or Odunze — starts to slide, don't be surprised if the Jets move up to grab one of them. They seem more confident in the state of their offensive line than their receiving corps.

The Jets did sign former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams in free agency, but he's coming off a torn ACL and is on a one-year deal. The team also doesn't have a designated WR3 behind him and Garrett Wilson, with Allen Lazard currently filling that role.

There's an argument to be made in favor of either draft direction, but the Jets seem to have narrowed in on their choice. They want a pass catcher in Round 1.

Unless this is a giant smokescreen, the Jets' draft plans feel painfully obvious at this point.