Another Garrett Wilson at No. 10 Overall? Jets in Decent Spot after Draft Order Announcement

New York snagged two superb receivers the last two times it owned the 10th pick

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Jan 10, 2024 8:47 AM EST

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It's the second time in three years that the New York Jets will own the No. 10 overall selection at the annual springtime NFL Draft.

The league office officially unveiled the 2024 draft slots for all 18 non-playoffs teams on Monday. The Jets (7-10) will pick No. 10 overall in between the Chicago Bears (7-10) and the Minnesota Vikings (7-10).

New York will be the second AFC East team to phone in its selection when the three-day event commences in Detroit. The New England Patriots (4-13) will have the third overall selection behind the Chicago Bears (via Carolina) and the Washington Commanders (4-13).

In 2022, the Jets picked twice in the Top 10. After landing Sauce Gardner at No. 4 overall, New York used the No. 10 pick to draft wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Quickly emerging as the Jets' WR1, Wilson proceeded to post back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns.

The Wilson selection marked only the third time in franchise history that the Jets used the No. 10 overall selection. In 1985, New York drafted receiver Al Toon out of Wisconsin. The dynamic pass-catcher earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections, but his career lasted only eight seasons due to a string of concussions.

The Jets were assigned the No. 13 overall selection in 2023, but swapped down to 15 as part of the trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They took raw Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald, who played on 16 percent of the team's defensive snaps as a rookie. Although the top offensive tackles were gone by the time the Jets drafted McDonald, the team chose to pass on receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zay Flowers.

With a depleted receiving corps, the Jets could hope for another Wilson or Toon at No. 10 overall this April. Offensive line is likely a priority, too.

Marvin Harrison, Jr. would look great in Green & White, but the receiver is projected to go off the board in the Top 5. LSU's Malik Nabers is another receiver who may or may not make it out of the Top 10.

The No. 10 overall pick may be high enough to snag Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.

Whether or not they get their top choice, the No. 10 selection will likely allow the Jets to add a plug-and-play difference maker on the offensive side of the ball. Some extra support for 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers is probably a good idea. Another Wilson or Toon would be a home run.