The New York Jets have undergone some massive changes this offseason.
The team moved on from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and hired a new coaching staff and general manager. Now, the new-look team is preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft which is less than a week away.
On the surface, the Jets have several obvious needs. The team needs a right tackle since Morgan Moses left, a couple of new pass-catchers, and some help on the defensive line.
However, there are some players the Jets would be wise to steer clear from in the first round. Today, we’re going to identify a few of those players who would be poor fits in New York.
Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Will Campbell has been a trendy pick to go inside the top five picks in the first round. However, there are some mocks that have the LSU product available for the Jets at No. 7.
Even if Campbell is available, the Jets should stay away. The team needs an immediate starter at right tackle, and Campbell’s arm length has some evalautors worried about whether can stick at tackle in the NFL.
The Jets are in a much better position at guard than they are at tackle, so taking Campbell wouldn’t make much sense. The team would be better off trying to land a true tackle like Armand Membou or Josh Simmons.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
It’s becoming increasinly difficult to pinpoint where Shedeur Sanders will land in the draft. Mocks have the quarterback going anywhere from No. 2 to out of the first round entirely.
This means it’s entirely possible the Jets could be in a position to select the passer at No. 7. And doing so would likely be enticing, considering the Hall of Fame bloodlines of Sanders and his jaw-dropping stats in college.
The Jets just gave Justin Fields a sizeable contract in free agency, though, and should see how the quarterback does in his first season with the team. Sanders is far from a sure thing, and the team has more pressing needs that need to be addressed.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Ashton Jeanty is another extremely talented player who would qualify as an unneeded luxury pick for the Jets.
The Jets have Breece Hall still, and while the running back has yet to become an elite player, the former 2nd-round pick is perfectly servicable. The team also has 2024 draft picks Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis on the roster, so using another pick on a running back wouldn’t be the best allocation of resources.
Jeanty is an awesome player and he will undoubtedly help a team. Does it really matter how talented the Jets’ running back is, though, if the offensive line can’t block and the defense can’t stop anybody?
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Another super talented player the Jets should stay away from is Georgia safety Malaki Starks.
Again, Starks is a great talent, but the Jets have bigger needs than safety. Sure, the team would probably like an upgrade over Tony Adams at strong safety, but Starks has played his best football as a free safety.
At free safety, Starks’ preferred position, the Jets brought in Andre Cisco in free agency. It’s possible the Jets could see Starks as too talented not to draft, even though he’s not a perfect positional fit.
The best bet, though, would be to go defensive or offensive line at No. 7 and try and find a more natural strong safety later in the draft.
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