It appears the New York Jets are leaning toward picking a pass-catching weapon in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football is reporting that the Jets are leaning toward taking a pass-catcher with their No. 10 overall pick.
From @DraftCampbell. Jets are inclined to draft Brock Bowers or Rome Odunze at 10 https://t.co/G3lAY5Q1iI
— WalterFootball (@walterfootball) April 3, 2024
Jets Leaning Toward Pass-Catching Weapon for Rodgers in 2024 NFL Draft
The New York Jets have options at No. 10 overall. That’s because of how they attacked the offseason. That said, it seems like their preferred player is Brock Bowers or Rome Odunze. In his latest mock draft, Campbell has the Jets taking Bowers.
There’s a huge debate in the Jets community on who the Jets should take: an offensive lineman, or a pass-catcher. Many believe the Jets should take an offensive lineman as a safeguard against injury. Much of that is due to the recent history of injuries on the team. Their point is valid, but just a little flawed.
The pass-catching weapon makes more sense because he will provide an immediate impact player as opposed to a player who might play, if needed.
Let’s take a look at each player’s strengths and why they make sense for the Jets in 2024.
Rome Odunze
Rodgers loves plays on the outside and ones that are quick and easy yards. He also absolutely loves go balls.
In Green Bay, Rodgers had a different style of RPO game than the rest of the NFL. It was essentially screens built like an RPO. The quick dump-offs are easy yards for him. Not only that, with Odunze, they could gain big chunks.
Odunze is also a vertical threat who can win contested catches. He can also create separation on going balls when needed.
Like @MattHarmon_BYB shows in this route tree diagram, Rome Odunze would be a perfect weapon for Aaron Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/6iOiLDJLNG
— Michael Pallas (@mtpallas) April 3, 2024
With this skill set, however, it may seem redundant with Garrett Wilson. That said, it gives the Jets multiple options for Rodgers, which is always a good thing.
Brock Bowers
Positional value is a term bandied about this time of year. Jets fans don’t like the “positional value” of a tight end at No. 10. Pigeonholing Bowers into the position of tight end is wrong, though, and limits his value to the Jets.
Very similarly to Odunze, Bowers’ route tree fits the play style of Rodgers. It may even more so fit, because of his position versatility.
Odunze will be best used as an X receiver. Bowers, on the other hand, can line up at Y (in-line TE), Z, X, or in the slot. Bowers also has YAC capability, like Odunze, but for a different reason. Odunze would with speed, and Bowers would be a tough guy to bring down, especially since they have outlawed the “hip-drop tackle”.
All-In mode for the Jets
When the Jets landed Rodgers, we all knew the window was going to be a short one. With the struggles last season, the Jets have to push all their chips to the middle of the table and go for it all. With Rodgers, it’s one year at a time.
While the injury history makes the hope for a lineman understandable, the need for immediate-impact players makes targeting Bowers of Odunze the most sense. They can still land a viable swing tackle in free agency, and the unknown of Carter Warren also should give pause in taking a lineman. In the end, it just adds up to taking a pass-catcher at 10.
Main Photo: [Troy Taormina] – USA Today Sports
