It has been clear for a long time that the New York Jets are an absolute disaster. Whatever hopes this franchise had of Aaron Rodgers saving them at least in the 2024 season were long in the dust. However, what remains unclear looking ahead to 2025 and beyond is whether the Jets will choose to bounce back with Rodgers, especially since the quarterback showed significant improvement in the final stretch of this season.

Rodgers presents the Jets with an intriguing conundrum. The organization has succumbed to many of his whims since his arrival ahead of the 2023 campaign, including ushering in a regime change that now has New York searching for a new head coach and general manager. Do they want a clean break with the new regime, whoever it may be, or do they want another try?

We don’t have a definitive answer to that question, so it’s worth thinking about what the offseason, particularly the 2025 NFL Draft, could look like for the Jets, both with and without Rodgers’ return. The process could be very different, so let’s dive into both scenarios, with a 3-round mock draft prediction for New York for Rodgers’ return and for a post-Rodgers squad.

Round 1: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

If Rodgers returns to New York, I expect the Jets process to focus on the franchise continuing to target the multiple MVP at quarterback. So this starts in the first round. While offensive tackle might be a bigger need given the ages of Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith as a stopgap, there is a possibility that the two best players at the position are gone. Even if that’s not the case, adding a player like Mizzou wideout Luther Burden III feels like a quicker way to help QB1.

With rumors surrounding Garrett Wilson already hinting at possible talk about the incumbent receiver’s future in New York, the Jets could be in dire need of another high-end pass-catcher, especially given concerns about Davante Adams’ age eligibility at this point are. Whatever the case, Burden is a prospect not to be missed. While his size isn’t elite, his route-running skills and weapon after the catch make him a potential 1A or 1B option for any passing offense.

Round 2: Gray Zabel, OT, North Dakota State

In Round 2, the Jets can then turn their attention to the offensive line, particularly a player like, in this case, Gray Zabel. Ideally, someone like West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum would land in New York on day two, but you can’t rely on that.

Zabel showed a ton of potential at NDSU and, more importantly, he seems to check the boxes in terms of size and movement ability that one might worry about if an FCS contender makes the jump. However, if there is a learning curve, the return of Moses or Smith as a veteran stopgap could ultimately give Zabel the runway he needs to get up to speed (and size) in the NFL and be a long-term protector with Olu Fashanu as the bookend.

Round 3 (via DET): Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan

While first-round picks Mason Graham and Will Johnson get the most love as Michigan draft prospects, don’t discount Josaiah Stewart either. He recorded nine sacks for the Wolverines last season. While that’s impressive in its own right, PFF metrics ($) show him to be even more disruptive with a pass rush rating of over 92 in the 2024 season.

The Haason Reddick move was a touch of epic proportions for the Jets considering he didn’t play more than half the season, but he’s also poised to hit free agency this offseason. A rejuvenation on defense and especially on the perimeter could be of great benefit to New York both immediately and in the long term.

Round 1: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

This starts with the idea that Rodgers’ new regime would diverge, either through a trade or even a full (albeit costly) release this offseason. If that happens, Jets fans will hopefully witness a wholesale infrastructural change in the way the team would conduct business. This would then mean that the organization would be best served by taking care of the dirty work. That then draws attention to a player like Kelvin Banks Jr. at tackle.

After taking Fashanu in the first round of last year’s draft, doubling down would be wise. As mentioned, they need to get younger at the position, and although Will Campbell ranks ahead of Banks at most spots, the Texas product is my favorite tackle prospect in the 2025 draft. He has played more than 1,700 snaps in the last two seasons allowed just two sacks and two hits and could give the Jets and whoever they use the quarterback role – they probably won’t be in range to get a worthwhile option in the draft – Elite, young protection on both sides.

Round 2: Fürstliche Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

Regardless of whether Rodgers returns or not, the Jets’ position remains when it comes to replacing Reddick and getting younger on defense, but the veteran quarterback’s absence could present New York with a better opportunity to acquire a more quality player than to sign edge rushers than if they would be more inclined to directly help Rodgers by taking a wide receiver in the top 50 picks. Welcome to the Big Apple, Princely Umanmielen.

After transferring from Florida to Ole Miss last season, Umanmielen really broke out, recording an impressive 11 sacks for the Rebels and becoming a force on defense. In addition, he stands out for his height of 1.80 m and a weight of 110 kg and is a player who can be successful with his pass rush at the professional level, but also has the ability to be consistent against the run to enforce. That’s the kind of advantage the Jets should be excited about.

Round 3 (via DET): Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

Due to the Adams transfer, the Jets don’t have their own third-rounder, but they do have the Lions’, which we didn’t mention before. That could potentially put them out of range of some attractive wide receiver options they need to add. On the other hand, Jaylin Noel is already on my short list of the most underrated players in the 2025 draft – and not just as a receiver.

Even though he’s not particularly tall at 5-foot-7, he has a strong frame that was evident last year with a 45.5% win rate in contested catch situations for the Cyclones. He’s not an elite athlete, but he shows the speed and quickness necessary to reach the next level. What reinforces this is smooth, clean, nervy route running that gives him the space he needs with extremely strong hands. It would be worth pairing him with Adams and Wilson or even in a WR2 role so the next Jets quarterback would have more options available.