NFL executives and coaches will head to Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine this week.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas will accompany other scouts and coaches to interview several highly talented prospects. Robert Saleh will not be in attendance, which may raise a few eyebrows with the Jets coming off a second consecutive 7-10 season. However, this isn’t a rare occurrence because Saleh didn’t attend last year’s scouting combine either.
Gang Green has several holes to fill this offseason. That includes the offensive line, where the Jets had 14 different combinations in 17 games.
The team’s myriad issues will need to be addressed either in free agency or the NFL Draft, which will be held on April 25–27, 2024 in Detroit. Gang Green will pick 10th in this year’s draft.
My Jets big board will likely change throughout the two months before the draft. It will be based on who the Jets could draft, their most significant needs, and the best available players at No. 10.
Without further ado, let’s look at the 10 players the Jets could keep a close eye on this week.
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Let me first say I don’t believe Alt will make it to the Jets’ selection. However, he is someone over whom the Jets must be salivating when they watch his film.
Alt started at left tackle in all three seasons at Notre Dame. He has the traits and tools to be a generational left tackle at the next level.
Alt’s father, John, was a tackle for 13 seasons for the Chiefs (1984-96), so he certainly has the NFL pedigree. At 6-foot-8, 315 pounds, Alt also has the excellent size and footwork to block various pass rushers at the next level.
After being a former tight end in high school, Alt has an elite burst off the line of scrimmage. Along with that, he has the instincts and the intelligence to be a franchise left tackle for the next 10 to 12 seasons.
The Jets will likely have to trade up if they’re interested in Alt. The problem is they’re already missing a second-round pick due to the Aaron Rodgers trade last offseason.
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
It is no secret the Jets need more explosive playmakers offensively. If Odunze is still on the board at No. 10, the Jets must consider selecting him.
After Marvin Harrison Jr, Odunze could be the best receiver in this year’s class. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Odunze has the prototypical size for a receiver.
What also stands out about Odunze is his exceptional hands and versatility. While at Washington, Odunze played both outside and in the slot. Last season for the Huskies, Odunze caught 92 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Odunze vs. Nabers debate should really begin to heat up this week at the combine. Nabers is an explosive receiver who knows how to separate from defenders off the line of scrimmage.
He is a bit smaller than Odunze, but what Nabers lacks in size, he makes up in athletic ability. In traffic, over defenders, and deep passes, there is no catch Nabers cannot make.
Nabers can play all three receiver spots and he has the potential to be the best player in this year’s draft class. In 13 games for the Tigers, he finished with 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
At just 21 years old, Fashanu has all the tools scouts want in a tackle. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Fashanu has a ton of potential and the strength to shut pass rushers down consistently.
Fashanu is effective in run blocking and can reach the second level with his athleticism. There’s a chance Fashanu is still available at No. 10. If Alt is off the board, Fashanu should be the pick for the Jets.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Fuaga has continued to climb up draft boards during the last few months. His impressive Senior Bowl certainly helped Fuaga after he was consistently aggressive at the point of attack throughout practices.
Fuaga’s 6-foot-6, 334-pound frame helps keep opponents in front of him, especially with his active and fast hands and footwork. He played right tackle at Oregon State but has the potential to play at guard if needed.
After playing on defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s Senior Bowl team, Fuaga is undoubtedly on the Jets’ radar.
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers will undoubtedly be one of the best prospects available in April’s draft. But where he gets drafted remains a mystery.
During his time with the Bulldogs, Bowers lined up all over the field. In three seasons at Georgia, Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Not only is Bowers an excellent pass catcher, but he is a decent blocker on running and passing downs. The Jets don’t necessarily need a tight end, with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert expected to be on their roster. But he would fill their need for an offensive playmaker.
Most teams usually don’t draft tight ends in the top five, but Bowers could be one of the few exceptions.
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
If the Jets trade down from No. 10, a player like Guyton could be in play.
Guyton doesn’t have a lot of experience after starting in just 15 games in his college career. But at 6-foot-7, 328 pounds, Guyton has the talent to play either right or left tackle in the NFL. He also has the length and athleticism to keep the top pass rushers in front of him.
The lack of a body of work could scare some teams off, but Guyton has the potential to be one of the top tackles in this league.
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Much like Guyton, Mims also doesn’t have much playing experience at the college level. He started in just eight games in his three seasons at Georgia.
The first thing scouts may notice about Mims is his 6-foot-7, 340-pound frame. But he has the rare combination of size, strength, and technique to succeed in the NFL. But it could take some time with his limited body of work.
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Latham is a plug-and-play tackle who demonstrates a lot of power in both run and pass protection. His size also stands out at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds.
The biggest question with Latham is whether he has the quickness to keep pass rushers in front of him consistently. He is well-coached after being in the Alabama program and starting 27 games the last two seasons.
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Fautanu doesn’t have the size other tackle prospects in this class have [6-foot-4, 317 pounds], but he has the athleticism that would fit well in the Jets offensive scheme.
What also stands out about Fautanu is his versatility. Although most of his playing experience at Washington was at left tackle, Fautanu can also play either guard spot or at right tackle.
Fautanu has the skill set to make an immediate impact on the offensive line. He isn’t a player who will be selected with the first 15 picks, but Fautanu will likely be chosen anywhere from 20 to the end of the first round.
