Jets NFL Draft live blog updates: Observations and analysis from Round 1

Albert Bainbridge IV, NorthJersey.com

EAST RUTHERFORD -- 364 days. A day short of exactly one year ago when the Jets made a franchise altering move in acquiring four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Expectations couldn't be higher for the organization, going into the 2023-24 season with the sixth shortest odds at 12/1 to claim their first Super Bowl victory and Lombardi Trophy in 54 years.

Then came Week 1.

Jets' fans will likely remember exactly where they were the moment when Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles on only the fourth offensive snap on Monday Night Football versus the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium.

No Rodgers under center meant a lost season for Gang Green.

The Jets finished 7-10 for a second consecutive year and are still amidst the longest North American professional sports playoff drought now at 14 straight seasons and haven't had a winning season since 2015.

So what reason do Jets' fans have to be optimistic?

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Outside of the return of Rodgers, the team made a clear effort to add impactful veterans along the offensive line (Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses) and at wide receiver (Mike Williams) in free agency. General manager Joe Douglas wasn't done, as he traded with his former employer -- the Philadelphia Eagles -- for linebacker Haason Reddick, whose had four straight double-digit sack seasons with three different franchises (Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles).

In my final mock draft, I have the Jets selecting OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu at No. 10 overall as a franchise hopeful left tackle of the future to protect Rodgers and cement an offensive line that already has young pieces like center Joe Tippmann and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Here are my observations and analysis for the Jets leading up to and during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit:

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When does the NFL Draft begin?

The first round of the 2024 NFL draft kicks off Thursday at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the NFL Network.

Where do the Jets pick in the NFL Draft?

In this year's draft, Gang Green goes into the three-day event owning seven selections and are as follows:

  • No. 10 (Round 1):

  • No. 72 (Round 3):

  • No. 111 (Round 4):

  • No. 134 via BAL (Round 4):

  • No. 185 (Round 6):

  • No. 203 via DEN (Round 6):

  • No. 257 (Round 7):

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New York Jets NFL Draft live blog thoughts and analysis for first pick

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