While the 2023 NFL season is drawing to a close, the month of February leads to excitement in the NFL community. Not only is it the month of the Super Bowl, but draft circles are elated for Senior Bowl week. This is a prime opportunity for scouts and team executives to get a first-hand look at this year’s prospects. Few people have such a luxury as Jeff Ulbrich. The Jets’ defensive coordinator is the head coach of the National Team. So he can give Joe Douglas a real-time evaluation of the Jets Senior Bowl Prospects this week. There are interesting names for New York to keep an eye on in the Senior Bowl. These five draft prospects should be on Joe Douglas and New York’s radar.
Five Senior Bowl Prospects the Jets Should Be Interested In
Why the Senior Bowl is important?
The Senior Bowl is an annual college all-star game played in early February. A 70-year-old tradition, its purpose allows professional coaches to see the best of college upperclassmen up close for an entire week of practice. Each day with specified drills for each position groups to give certain teams a heads up before the NFL combine begins. In addition, it’s an opportunity to evaluate assistant coaches for possible head coaching jobs.
Taliese Fuaga: offensive tackle, Oregon State
The Jets offensive line must remain a priority this offseason. As Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown explore free agency, offensive tackle remains a massive need. Luckily for New York, this offensive line class is really strong. Of the prospects, few have had a better week than Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State. Moreover, Fuaga’s ability to impact the running game has pushed him further up draft boards. An open competition behind Fashanu and Alt, Fuaga has had draft grades of the third-highest offensive tackle prospect by some scouts. Expeditiously, Joe Douglas needs to do all he can to secure him for Breece Hall’s sake.
Taliese Fuaga vs Adisa Isaac💪
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 31, 2024
Tyler Guyton: offensive tackle, Oklahoma
In addition, the Jets can also look to trade back to replenish their day two draft capital for a quarterback-needy team. Should New York move down, there are still options at offensive tackle. One standout includes Tyler Guyton. Guyton has all the makings of a top-50 NFL draft pick. Even with one season of starting experience, Guyton played a major role in the offensive resurgence at Oklahoma. What he lacks in experience he makes up for in size at a staggering 6’7″ and 328 lbs.
The frame of #Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton (6-7, 328) is impressive. Has had a good week and trending towards being in the top 20 conversations. pic.twitter.com/O7NUhJZxLF
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 31, 2024
Ladd McConkey: wide receiver, Georgia
The Senior Bowl provides an excellent opportunity for players to get scouts’ attention. Accordingly, few did more than Ladd McConkey. McConkey had his work cut out for him playing alongside such great talent at Georgia. A nagging back injury played a role in limiting his playing time. Despite this, he showed teams his ability to stand out as a route runner. Amidst a loaded wide receiver class, McConkey is doing enough to hear his name called as early as the fourth round with workouts like this. Indeed, he’s the kind of prospect who can make Garrett Wilson’s life easier playing next too.
Here is every one-on-one rep by #Georgia WR Ladd McConkey on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl! pic.twitter.com/JqsDmJTwpW
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 31, 2024
Christian Haynes: offensive guard, UConn
Definitively, the offensive line remains the biggest priority for New York. Outside of tackle, the interior is just as important if the team deems Laken Tomlinson as a cap casualty. In the event he’s released, Christian Haynes is an excellent replacement. Particularly, the leadership abilities he brings as a four-year starter and team captain at UConn. Despite the limited talent of the Huskies, Haynes demonstrated the power and ferociousness needed to survive against power rushers. Without a doubt, Haynes is a name for New York to consider early on day 2 of the draft.
Christian Haynes drops the anchor and just can’t be moved. Really well-rounded IOL prospect.
(h/t @ParkerBlake60) pic.twitter.com/qLbQjlyWrA
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 1, 2024
Michael Pratt: quarterback, Tulane
Absolutely, the quarterback position must be addressed this offseason. While Aaron Rodgers is the presumptive starter, his age and injury history make it no guarantee he’ll be on par with his days in Green Bay. Furthermore, after last season New York needs to have depth be the key to this quarterback room. Alongside a veteran backup, the addition of Michael Pratt can be pragmatic. Following a four-year career at Tulane, Pratt established a legacy for himself at Tulane. What’s more, Pratt was responsible for 118 total touchdowns, finished all-conference honors, and led Tulane to its first Cotton Bowl win in school history. Furthermore, his leadership combined with learning from Rodgers can give New York a great bridge quarterback should Rodgers retire as well.
#Georgia WR Ladd McConkey gets open underneath on a shallow crosser and #Tulane QB Michael Pratt steps up and finds him for a touchdown in the team red zone session pic.twitter.com/kCqgpYXv8m
— Mike Maher (@mikeMaher) February 1, 2024
Main Photo: [Vasha Hunt] – USA Today Sports
