NY Jets eyeing arguably the top safety in the 2024 NFL Draft class

The NY Jets re-signed fan favorite and special teams standout Ashtyn Davis on Thursday, providing the team with extra safety depth entering the 2024 NFL Draft. The team might not be done adding to the position, however.

The Jets reportedly met with Washington State safety Jaden Hicks this week, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Hicks is widely seen as one of the top safety prospects in this year's draft with some, including The Athletic's Dane Brugler, labeling him the best safety in his class.

The 21-year-old started two seasons at Washington State, earning Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors as a junior before declaring for the NFL Draft this past winter.

The Jets re-signed Chuck Clark this offseason to join Davis and Tony Adams in an inexpensive but also unspectacular safety room. Hicks would undoubtedly be a high-profile addition for Gang Green.

Will the NY Jets draft Jaden Hicks in this year's draft?

At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Hicks provides an outstanding blend of size and athleticism for the safety position. He's built like a linebacker with the speed and range of a cornerback, giving him Pro Bowl upside at the NFL level.

In a very weak safety class, Hicks has a chance to be the first player at his position off the board. That's unlikely to come in the first round, however, as the assumption is that no safety will be drafted on Day 1.

Hicks projects as more of an early-to-mid Day 2 prospect and a possible top-50 pick. The Jets don't currently possess a pick between No. 10 and No. 72 in the third round, but that could change if the team moves back on Day 1.

The Jets are heavily rumored to want to trade down in the first round of the draft with the hope of picking up an additional Day 2 selection. That could enable the team to target a player like Hicks in that range.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh loves his hybrid safety/linebacker types, and Hicks, while definitely someone you'd expect to remain a safety at the next level, has the build and athleticism that Saleh typically covets.

The Jets don't necessarily need to make a notable addition to their safety room, as a trio of Adams, Clark, and Davis is perfectly fine entering the 2024 season. But if they're looking for a genuine upgrade and potential long-term building block, they might just target Hicks.

Keep an eye on Jaden Hicks as we draw closer to the NFL Draft. He's someone the Jets are keeping close tabs on.