NY Jets fortify their OL with surprising pick in 7-round mock draft

The NY Jets enter the 2024 NFL Draft in an enviable position. The team managed to address essentially every one of their most pressing needs in free agency, solidifying their offensive line and adding other big names such as Mike Williams and Haason Reddick.

Those additions give the Jets significant flexibility as they inch closer to this month's draft. That means the Jets will have the opportunity to go in a number of different directions later this month.

Some believe the Jets will use the 10th overall pick on someone like Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Others see the Jets using that pick to further bolster their offensive line. Perhaps the Jets could even consider trading up or down in the first round.

We decided to go a surprising route in our latest mock draft. Here's a look at our latest Jets projection in this seven-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft courtesy of Pro Football Focus' mock simulator.

Round 1, 10th Overall, NY Jets: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

With the top two offensive tackle prospects off the board and no appealing trade-down offers, we decided to select Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu at this spot.

Fautanu has been a bit of a late riser on media draft boards, but the versatile and talented Washington lineman is seen by many as a first-round lock and a possible top-15 pick in this year's draft.

A third-team All-American in 2023, Fautanu primarily played left tackle in college, and while some believe he may be a better fit as a guard at the next level, others believe he can continue to develop as a tackle.

The Jets add some extra depth behind Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, giving the team an athletic, hard-nosed tackle to hopefully take over as their starting left tackle in the very near future.