Re-grading the NY Jets 2024 NFL Draft class at the midseason point

The 2024 NFL Draft will forever be known as the final draft class of the Joe Douglas era for the NY Jets. The Jets are hoping that Douglas' parting gift to the organization will be a stacked draft class featuring multiple long-term starters and future contributors.

The early returns haven't been especially promising.

While it's far too early to make any declarative statements about the draft class, given that we're still only 11 games into each of their rookie seasons, the Jets haven't received the immediate impact they might have expected from certain members of the class.

Of course, these grades are subject to change, and likely will over the coming months and years. But with the Jets facing their bye week, now felt like a good time to do a little retrospective on this year's draft class.

NY Jets midseason draft grades for 2024

Olu Fashanu, OT (Round 1, 11th Overall)

The final first-round pick of the Joe Douglas era also has the best chance of sticking around as a long-term contributor. The Jets drafted Olu Fashanu 11th overall in April with the expectation that he wouldn't be asked to start immediately as a rookie.

That plan didn't last long, as Fashanu was quickly thrust into action at right tackle following an injury to Morgan Moses. Fashanu struggled playing a new position and was even asked to fill in at right guard — a position he had quite literally never played before at any level of football.

Since stepping in for Tyron Smith at left tackle over the last 1.5 games, Fashanu has performed well, providing optimism for his future. It's still too early to make any declarative statements about his future, but Fashanu has shown starter potential early in his career. The ceiling is very high here.

Grade: B

Malachi Corley, WR (Round 3, 65th Overall)

The Jets weren't secretive about their love of Malachi Corley in the days following the 2024 NFL Draft. Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas made the Western Kentucky product their top priority on Day 2, even leaking to reporters after the draft that he was the No. 4 wide receiver on their board.

Maybe there's a reason Saleh and Douglas are no longer with the team. Corley has struggled to make an impact in his rookie season, playing just 42 offensive snaps through seven games. He's behind Xavier Gipson on the depth chart and is essentially splitting time with special-teams ace Irv Charles.

It's possible the next regime will be able to make something work with Corley, but as of right now, he's trending toward major bust territory. 2025 will be crucial for the self-proclaimed "YAC King."

Grade: D+

Braelon Allen, RB (Round 4, 134th Overall)

Braelon Allen looked to be one of the early steals of the entire draft as the former Wisconsin standout impressed in training camp and quickly carved out an important role in the Jets' offense.

Allen averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry over the first four games of his career and soon found himself almost splitting time with Breece Hall. Unfortunately, Allen has cooled down significantly following his hot start.

The 20-year-old running back is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry since Week 5 and has seen his total number of touches go down. Allen has still exceeded expectations for a rookie fourth-round pick — especially as the youngest player in the NFL — but his stock has fallen a bit over the last couple of months.

Grade: B+

Jordan Travis, QB (Round 5, 171st Overall)

The Jets always expected 2024 to be a redshirt year for rookie quarterback Jordan Travis, and that's exactly what it's been Travis remains on the non-football injury list after suffering a devastating leg injury that cut his college career short.

It's impossible to assign a grade to Travis, given that we haven't even seen him take a snap in practice yet. The first time the Jets will get a look at the Florida State product on the field will likely be OTAs next spring.

Grade: N/A

Isaiah Davis, RB (Round 5, 173rd Overall)

The second of two running backs the Jets drafted in April, Isaiah Davis has carved out a regular role on special teams, although he's failed to make much of an impact as a returner alongside Xavier Gipson.

Davis' work on offense has been limited almost exclusively to garbage time, as he's received just six total snaps through 11 games. Still, he's quietly been a very effective special-teams player for the Jets this year.

Davis ranks second on the team in special teams tackles with five and third in overall Pro Football Focus special-teams grade behind only Chazz Surratt and Irv Charles. That's enough to carry him to a respectable grade.

Grade: C+

Qwan'Tez Stiggers, CB (Round 5, 176th Overall)

The Jets didn't expect former CFL standout Qwan'Tez Stiggers to play much early in his NFL career, given his lack of high-level football experience. That's very much been the case through 11 weeks.

Stiggers has played just one defensive snap this season, although he's been a regular on special teams in the 10 games he's been active for. The rookie defensive back has accumulated two special-teams tackles and one penalty.

The Jets could turn to Stiggers as a potential starting option in 2025, but for now, there's not much to base his grade on. He grades out a tick below Davis based solely on special-teams value.

Grade: C

Jaylen Key, SAF (Round 7, 257th Overall)

It's obviously not fair to expect much from the final pick in the entire draft, but 2024 Mr. Irrelevant Jaylen Key has certainly lived up to his name. Key struggled in the summer, failed to make the Jets' 53-man roster out of training camp, and isn't currently with the organization.

The Jets opted to keep undrafted safety Jarius Monroe on their practice squad instead of the former Alabama starter. Key lasted a grand total of two months on the practice squad before he was released in late October.

Again, expectations are always low for a player drafted this late, but it would have been nice to add someone who could at least stick around as a developmental piece on the practice squad.

Grade: D-

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