NY Jets news: Jets compensatory draft picks, Robert Saleh is proud

It's been six years since the NY Jets last made a compensatory draft pick, but that streak could come to an end in 2024. Through the first two weeks of free agency, the Jets are in line to receive three compensatory selections in the seventh round, per Over The Cap.

The Sheldon Rankins and Allen Lazard signings cancel out a fifth-round compensatory pick, while the Nathan Shepherd and Mecole Hardman cancel out a sixth-round pick. Per OTC, the losses of Mike White, Nate Herbig, and Dan Feeney in free agency could net the Jets three seventh-round picks.

Of course, those picks could get canceled out if the Jets make other free-agent additions. It should be noted, however, that the likes of Calais Campbell, Ben Jones, and Odell Beckham — three reported Jets targets — would not count toward the compensatory formula.

Players who didn't play the previous season (Beckham) and players who were released (Campbell, Jones) don't count. The Jets might actually receive compensatory draft picks in 2024.

Other NY Jets news

Robert Saleh is proud of the Jets' progress

Head coach Robert Saleh shared a little perspective on his journey with the Jets when speaking with NFL.com's Judy Battista on Sunday.

Per Battista, Saleh reflected on how far the Jets have come since his hire in 2021, specifically emphasizing how the team was able to attract a player like Aaron Rodgers.

"Two years ago when we first got there, just thinking about where we were and how far we’ve come, to have a guy like him want to play for us is pretty cool and shows how far we’ve come."

- Robert Saleh

Saleh has a point. Two years ago, the Jets were coming off arguably their most dreadful season in franchise history, a 2-14 year highlighted by Sam Darnold's downfall and Adam Gase's ineptitude. Two years later, they're on the verge of trading for one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

The Jets have changed the narrative in Florham Park. Players want to play for the Jets. Rodgers is a big part of that, but Saleh and the current regime deserve recognition as well.

Jets add athletic DT in 2023 NFL mock draft

NFL.com's Charles Davis released his first mock draft of the year on Sunday, and he had the Jets making a surprising selection at pick No. 13. Davis has the Jets taking Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey with their first-round pick.

Kancey is considered one of the best defensive tackle prospects in this year's class. The undersized but athletic defensive tackle has drawn obvious comparisons to Aaron Donald, another former undersized defensive tackle prospect out of Pittsburgh.

Davis highlighted the Jets' obvious need at defensive tackle as well as Robert Saleh's history of valuing defensive line depth. It's a fair discussion, even if some might not prefer the idea of the Jets drafting an interior defensive lineman this early.

Most expect the Jets to address the offensive line in the first round, but don't rule out positions like safety, wide receiver, and, yes, even defensive tackle.