It is hard to describe the mood of Jet fans as we gear up for the 2025 season. The epic failure of the 2024 season was crushing given the lofty expectations of a top-flight defense coupled with a healthy future hall-of-fame quarterback. Neither side of the ball met expectations, and the result was a catastrophe that has the Jets picking in the top portion of the NFL Draft again.
There is reason for optimism albeit guarded given the fragile state of Jet Nation. This is still a very young and very talented roster. There is also reason to believe that the Jets have successfully added through subtraction in the offseason. Aaron Rodgers is gone, but his prima donna persona and demands on the front office are also gone. Rodger’s wingman, Devante Adams, is gone, but Adams did not figure to be happy with Rodgers not being under center, and we’ve seen Adams act when his quarterback is not on his approved list.
While some will dispute that Rodgers and Adams departures are additions by subtraction, there is no debate that the loss of starting CB D.J. Reed is subtraction. Reed made it clear early on that he did not intend to resign with the team. The Jets signed starter Brandon Stephens from Baltimore to replace Reed. Stephens is not equal to Reed on paper, and Baltimore’s secondary was atrocious last year. Stephens may be better in New York if he has more talent around him.
The biggest free agent news besides Rodgers and Adams departures is the addition of quarterback Justin Fields. Fields will be the starter entering the 2025 season. Fields mobility gives the Jet offense a dimension it has not had, but his passing will need to improve dramatically. If Fields does not play well, Tyrod Taylor will step in. Taylor is above average as backup quarterbacks go, but the Jets best hope for their first postseason berth since 2010 is Fields taking a big step forward in his development as a passer.
On defense, the resigning of Jamien Sherwood is the biggest news. Sherwood was a bright spot for a defense that had very few of those last season. Sherwood is part of a young and talented core that new GM Darren Mougey needs to build around.
The biggest question entering last season was would the Jets additions along the offensive line hold up. The Jets added tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and drafted tackle Olu Fashanu with their first pick in the draft. Fashanu stepped in for Tyron Smith who was dreadful and played very well. Fashanu will be counted on at tackle in 2025. Moses was below average and left via free agency for New England.
So, what does it all mean for the 2025 NFL Draft? Oddly, the positions of need are not much different than last year. The Jets need an answer at quarterback if Fields does not progress. The offensive line still needs help, a second receiver is needed as is help at defensive tackle. If I were to rank the needs in terms of how badly help is needed at each position, it would look like this:
- Defensive Tackle
- Offensive Tackle
- Tight End
- Receiver
- Edge
- Quarterback
- Cornerback
- Linebacker
- Guard
- Safety
Sitting at 7th in the first round, and picking three times in the top 100, the Jets will have the opportunity to plug in a top-flight player at each of their top three need positions.
If thinking about college prospects has you looking forward to early season action, take a look at these AFL Betting Odds.
It is important to consider the depth of the positions when developing a draft strategy. Weaker positions need to be addressed earlier as the prospects later in the draft will have less impact. Considering the depth of a position and the Jets needs, the Jets need to go offensive tackle at number 7. The prospects at defensive tackle, receiver, and tight end are much stronger than the prospects at offensive tackle. The Jets are more likely to fill their needs at defensive tackle, receiver, and tight end in the second through fourth rounds than they are at offensive tackle. This is especially true for the tight-end position, which is deeper this year than it has been in many years. Penn State’s Tyler Warren is a huge talent, but is he good enough and is the tight end position impactful enough for the Jets to take a lesser rated prospect at the tackle position? I do not think Warren is the right move. With that in mind, who should the Jets grab with their first three picks?
Round One: OT Will Campbell, LSU
Campbell is the prototypical tackle at 6’6 and 323 pounds. Cambell is one of the safest picks on the board and he allows the Jets to get the top-rated player at a needed position. The Jets could cement their offensive tackle spots for the next ten years with Campbell and Fashanu on board.
Round Two: DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
Walker is a monster at 6’7 and 331 pounds. He dealt with the best of the best in the SEC. Walker will eat up blockers and space, allowing Quinnen Williams to create havoc in offensive backfields.
Round Three: TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Ferguson ran a faster 40 than Tyler Warren at the combine. He excels in route running and has above-average hands. Ferguson will need to work on his blocking as he wasn’t asked to do much in the running games at Oregon.
Let the draft debate begin. This would be a great first three picks for the Jets who fill three areas of need with top-rated talent. A developmental quarterback would be a great add somewhere in rounds 5-7, and there’s more to do in free agency between now and draft day. If Fields can take a step forward in his development, and the Jets are fortunate in the draft, they can return to playoff contention. Then maybe this story next year is about who is the best draft option for the Jets in the late first round.
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