A year ago, the Jets found themselves in a similar situation entering the NFL Draft.
The team was weighing whether to select a dynamic tight end to help their passing game or draft an offensive tackle to help the quarterback stay upright.
Ultimately, the Jets traded back one spot to 11th overall with the Vikings to select left tackle Olu Fashanu over tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers, who the Raiders chose at 13th overall, was selected as a first-time All-Pro. Fashanu started seven games and was solid during his limited snaps last season.
Now, less than two weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jets are in an almost identical set of circumstances. Last year, with then-coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, the Jets felt they had the talent at the skill positions. But things looks different for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, who took over as coach and general manager in late January.
Gone are wide receiver Davante Adams, whom the Jets acquired in a trade with the Raiders last October, and tight end Tyler Conklin. Adams was released last month and signed with the Rams, and Conklin signed with the Chargers.
The Jets did add tight end Stone Smartt and wide receivers Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson in free agency, but all are low-cost depth veteran pieces.
Given the Jets signed quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, the case can be made to add a skill position playmaker at No. 7. But the Jets could rely a lot on their rushing attack next season.
ROUND 1, PICK 7: OL ARMAND MEMBOU, MISSOURI
At the NFL’s annual meeting last week, Glenn hinted to reporters that he planned to use a lot of Breece Hall and his backups, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.
“We have three running backs on this team that we are going to utilize as much as possible,” Glenn said. “They are all big men who can run. They are violent, they are physical.
“I think every player is going to be happy with the way that we go about this offense. If we can get them all on the field at one time, we’ll do that.”
With Fields’ rushing ability at the quarterback position, the Jets are expected to lean heavily into their ground attack. With that being the case, Membou makes sense here.
Membou is arguably the best tackle in this year’s draft class with his excellent combination of power and athleticism. At 6-4, 332 pounds, Membou is a big man who’s challenging to move because of his thick build. He can also get to the second level of the defense and knock players to the ground, which can create more lanes for ball carriers.
The Lions were in a similar situation in 2021 after Glenn took over as defensive coordinator. Detroit coach Dan Campbell decided to build his team in the trenches by selecting tackle Penei Sewell at seventh overall. Seems like this could be a bit of deja vu.
Plenty of Jets fans want Gang Green to draft Penn State’s Tyler Warren at No. 7. However, this year’s draft class at the tight end position is one of the deepest and strongest units on the offensive side of the ball. So if the Jets were to pass on Warren, they could find a starter in Rounds 2 or 3.
ROUND 2, PICK 42: WR JAYLIN NOEL, IOWA STATE
Noel is an exciting receiver with excellent speed and burst. In 14 games for the Cyclones last season, Noel caught 80 passes for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns. He projects as a slot receiver in the NFL with his 5-10, 194-pound frame.
Noel also provides value as a returner, which the Jets could desperately use. Xavier Gipson has been the team’s returner for the last two seasons, but has been inconsistent.
Although he likely won’t be a top receiver option, Noel can be a home run threat who can win matchups on opposing defenses’ three levels.
ROUND 3, PICK 73: TE HAROLD FANNIN JR., BOWLING GREEN
The Jets certainly need a tight end, and they finally addressed this need in the third round by selecting Fannin, one of the more underrated players available in the draft.
Fannin has excellent athleticism and can be used in the slot or the backfield. He can also line up in an H-back role. Last season, Fannin led the nation in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555).
If Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand can creatively use Fannin, he has the potential to be a breakthrough star in the league.
ROUND 4: PICK 110: EDGE ANTWAUN POWELL-RYLAND JR., VIRGINIA TECH
The Jets don’t necessarily need pass rush help with Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson on the roster. But as the saying goes, you can never have too many players who can get pressure on the quarterback, and Powell-Ryland can undoubtedly do that very well.
After transferring from Florida to Virginia Tech in 2023, Powell-Ryland became one of the best pass rushers in the nation. He registered 25.5 sacks over the last two seasons, including 16 in 2024. However, questions about his arm length and ability to stop the run are likely why Powell-Ryland may slip to Day 3 of the draft.
But his pass-rushing skills and production are worth a flier in Round 4.
ROUND 5, PICK 145: QB KYLE MCCORD, SYRACUSE
Some draft experts expect the Jets to draft a quarterback early. However, with Fields and Tyrod Taylor on the roster, the Jets don’t have to rush to take one. That’s why they wait until Round 5 to draft McCord, who impressed during his only season at Syracuse. In 13 games for the Orange, McCord passed for 4,779 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
McCord is an accurate pocket passer who can get the ball out quickly. However, he has less-than-average athleticism and can get in trouble with his mechanics when pressure is in his face. In the fifth round, the Jets could take McCord to see if he could develop into a starter eventually.
ROUND 5, PICK 162: S KITAN CRAWFORD, NEVADA
The Jets signed Andre Cisco in free agency and brought back Isaiah Oliver. But that shouldn’t preclude them from drafting a safety at some point.
Crawford, who transferred to Nevada after three seasons at Texas, is a hard-hitting safety with good athleticism and tackling ability. His special-teams experience will be helpful as he tries to work his way up the depth chart.
ROUND 6, PICK 186: TE JACKSON HAWES, GEORGIA TECH
Hawes is a bright and talented blocker with the versatility to line up as an in-line tight end or in the backfield. Hawes doesn’t have ideal hands or the athleticism to separate from defenders. However, Hawes will likely be a 10-year veteran in the NFL simply because of what he provides as an in-line blocker in the run and passing game.
ROUND 6, PICK 207: CB JASON MARSHALL JR., FLORIDA
With Glenn being a former cornerback, I assume the Jets will select one at some point and their final pick could be where they do. Marshall has good speed in covering both man and zone coverages.
He is a liability when it comes to tackling. Like Crawford, Marshall can play on special teams, which could earn him a 53-man roster spot.
