The Jets almost picked far later in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
A video released by the NFL’s social media account Friday showcased that the Rams made a strong push to acquire the Jets’ No. 10 overall pick.
More specifically, the Rams offered picks Nos. 19 and 52 in exchange for No. 10.
According to the Fitzgerald-Spielberger NFL Draft trade value chart, the package proposed by Rams GM Les Snead would have been worth more (2,506 total points) than the 10th overall pick by itself (1,833 points), making it a big “win” for the Jets.
However, the Jets also would have sacrificed nine spots worth of blue-chip talent, a proposition that’s not easy to swallow in the first round.
Instead, GM Joe Douglas opted to do business with the Vikings, moving down one spot in the first round and receiving a fourth- and fifth-rounder for a sixth-round selection.
The same trade value chart graded the move as similarly favorable for the Jets, who netted 620 points worth of value.
Subsequently, Douglas selected Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11, fortifying the team’s offensive line to protect Aaron Rodgers.
With the Saints and Bengals all selecting before pick 19, Fashanu probably would not have fallen to No. 19, which would have only thrown off the Jets’ plan further.
If the Rams had successfully moved up nine spots in the first round, rumors floated that they were intrigued by Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, though a tackle like Fashanu was also in play.
Los Angeles ultimately selected Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse at No. 19.
The Jets themselves were also viewed as a prime destination for two-time Mackey Award winner Bowers, but he fell to the Raiders, who surprisingly nabbed him at No. 13.
The first round of late April’s draft didn’t feature nearly as many trades as expected, with no swaps happening until the exchange between the Jets and Minnesota.
The 2024 NFL Draft was Douglas’ first time moving back in the first round since he took over as general manager in 2019.
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