New York Jets Draft First-Round Draft Pick: 5 Best Options

With plenty of needs throughout the roster, the New York Jets could go a number of directions with the 10th overall pick.

With under two weeks to go before the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, teams everywhere are finalizing their draft boards and going over different scenarios to stay prepared for anything surprising coming through.

For the New York Jets, they remain in an interesting position. With the 10th overall pick and no second-rounder, Gang Green has plenty of options at their disposal to either acquire top talent or deal for additional draft picks.

Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu (74) gets set before a play against West Virginia at Beaver

Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

As fans of the team debate whether an offensive lineman or receiver is more prevalent, let's go over the five best options for the team to go with ranging from least likely to pretty solid expectation.

Option 5: Trade Up For Wide Receiver

It's hard to envision any team wanting to trade back with the Jets when the team doesn't have a second round pick. That being said, it's possible New York is thinking one of two things: either acquire a top pass catcher or top offensive lineman in this draft with whatever resources are necessary.

If Gang Green has top receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers comfortably ahead of the pack in the first round, and either fall to around the seventh or eighth overall pick, New York could absolutely look to trade up for either player.

At the very least, the 10th pick could start a trade conversation.

Option 4: Brock Bowers

As receiving prospects go, there's a very fair chance to say that Bowers is second only to Harrison in this draft. His only "defect" is that he plays tight end. Bowers was a slot machine in college at Georgia and was one of the more dominant players in SEC history.

It's no surprise he could go to the Jets at 10. The only debate the team should have for him is if his overall skills match what New York wants to do on offense.

Option 3: Rome Odunze

While Harrison and Nabers remain as the top receiving options, Washington's Rome Odunze seems like a likely candidate to be available at 10 - or at least within striking distance of 10. The Husky was an excellent deep-ball receiver with solid speed and route-running ability.

It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if the Jets were to somehow come away with a top receiver for Aaron Rodgers. It would also help prepare the next quarterback after him with top young weapons at his disposal.

Option 2: Offensive Lineman

Whether it's Olu Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga or even JC Latham, New York needs offensive line depth to protect the 2024 season, but also future years ahead. Fashanu, Fuaga, and Latham are the next crop of great prospects outside of Joe Alt, but Alt will be gone before the organization has a chance to decide.

Staying at 10 would mean understanding a trade back was not able to be accomplished, and getting the best available player would be a solid contingency plan.

Option 1: Trade Down

The most logical option for the Jets outside of drafting a top offensive lineman is to trade back and do the same but also add a second-round pick to their package of picks. This is one of the deepest offensive line classes in recent memory and to get multiple bites of the apple would mean the organization is expanding on the depth of their roster.

As which options are best for the team, a trade down gives the Jets exactly what they need: a chance to kill two needs with one trade.