Jets must switch draft focus from OT to WR after Tyron Smith signing

The NY Jets have one exceptional receiver in Garrett Wilson and a bunch of flotsam that barely qualifies as below average outside of him. They will need to address this lack of talent in the 2024 NFL Draft, as their plans have changed following Joe Douglas' remaking of the offensive line.

After the Jets signed left guard John Simpson to a two-year contract and traded draft picks to acquire right tackle Morgan Moses from the Baltimore Ravens, the Jets lured Tyron Smith away from the Dallas Cowboys with a one-year contract worth as much as $20 million if he hits several incentive thresholds.

The Jets were long figured to be locked into a tackle with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, but those plans could change now that their starting five is all but locked in. More immediate help is needed next to Wilson, as Aaron Rodgers needs better weapons around him.

New York needs a wide receiver, but this is a tremendous draft class to be needy at that position. The Jets could stay at No. 10 if a top player falls or trade back to acquire even more capital. Either way, the Jets need to make sure they bring in a young wideout.

NY Jets must draft a WR after Tyron Smith signing

While some might want to draft a tackle at No. 10 to find Smith's long-term successor and 2024 backup, isn't that the same logic that led to the maligned Will McDonald selection? Wasn't McDonald going at 15 not an "all-in" move? The Jets could sign a backup tackle for depth but Smith's successor sounds like a 2025 problem.

With Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. locked into the top five, the Jets need to hope that one of either LSU's Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze slips down to No. 10 overall. Considering that the Chargers, Giants, and Bears are all teams who could use their pick on a wide receiver, that seems unlikely.

The next best course of action would be trading down and pilfering a player in the middle of the first round. LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. impressed at the combine, as did a pair of Texas Longhorns: Adonai Mitchell and speed demon Xavier Worthy. Right now, the Jets' current depth chart is unacceptable.

Allen Lazard is likely penciled in as the No. 2 wide receiver, with undrafted free agents like Xavier Gipson rounding things out.

The Jets can't lean on Wilson alone if they want to throw the ball all over the field with Rodgers, and drafting someone who will compete with Carter Warren for backup tackle reps in Year 1 might not be the most helpful move.