New York Jets Protect Aaron Rodgers in Latest SI Mock Draft

The New York Jets decided to go with an offensive lineman in the latest mock draft put together by Sports Illustrated.

Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu | Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The first round of the NFL draft is one week away and the New York Jets are in a prime spot to get an impact player who should help this roster out on day one.

There are a couple ways they could go with their approach in the first round.

It's one of the best wide receiver draft classes in a long time, so landing one of the elite prospects, or even potential superstar tight end Brock Bowers, would give Aaron Rodgers another weapon to throw to during this important season.

They could also take the approach of protecting their quarterback, something that did not happen last year.

Matt Verderame of SportsIllustrated put out his latest mock draft and had the Jets taking the latter of the two approaches with their selection of Olumuyiwa Fashanu out of Penn State.

The 6-foot-6, 312-pound offensive tackle was a starter for the past two seasons and is coming off winning the Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year award, in addition to earning a first-team All-American selection.

New York has been weighing multiple options at the offensive tackle position having met with JC Lathum for a couple days and later bringing in Troy Fautanu for a visit as well.

For those fans who want the Jets to get a skill position player, Verderame has the three best wide receivers all being selected before the 10th pick, so the only truly elite option they would have the opportunity to select would be Bowers.

There are many people out there who think they should draft the talented tight end.

But with all the issues New York had across their offensive line last season, it seems like a mistake not to draft one of the top lineman in this class to get the tackle of their future onto this roster.