Signing veteran WR would make Jets draft plan at No. 10 incredibly obvious

Just a few days ago, it seemed like a virtual certainty that the NY Jets would use the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on the best available offensive tackle that fell to them. After trading for Morgan Moses and signing Tyron Smith in free agency, Joe Douglas can now go in one of many different directions.

With some criticizing the selection of Will McDonald in 2023 for not providing the Jets with as much of an immediate boost as some may have wanted, adding a tackle behind Smith or Moses could neglect New York's pitiful wide receiver room outside of Garrett Wilson. A receiver or star tight end at No. 10 now seems more likely.

Georgia's Brock Bowers is not only the lone tight end regarded as a first-round player, but he is also considered a lock for the top half of the first round. With the Los Angeles Chargers, a popular landing spot, getting rid of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen while adding tight ends Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst, a Bowers fall could be in order.

If the Jets are able to sign a veteran to play the No. 2 wide receiver role, Douglas should sprint to the podium with Bowers' name on his card. Doing so would give the Jets a clear offensive identity as Aaron Rodgers prepares to return to a new-look offense.

NY Jets must draft Brock Bowers if they sign veteran wide receiver

The additions of Smith and John Simpson could signal a change from Kyle Shanahan-style zone blocking to a more powerful, gap-based blocking scheme. Even with Rodgers coming back, the Jets could have the personnel to ride Breece Hall to a much-improved offense.

Imagine a base offense with two tight ends in Bowers and the always-underrated Tyler Conklin, flanked on either side by Wilson and the veteran wideout to be named later. Hall would thrive, the play-action passing game could still be devastating, and Bowers could flex out to the slot thanks to his receiving skills if needed.

The Jets could further beef up their wide receiver room with their third-round pick, adding a speedster who could develop into a vertical weapon while relegating Allen Lazard to the No. 4 role. If Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are off the board (they will be), this decision will get even easier.

The Jets want to be the toughest, most physical team in the league based on their offseason signings. No player might help them achieve that goal more easily than adding Bowers would.