Category: Jets News and Notes

Jets select Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley with 65th pick of draft

The YAC King is coming to the Jets

The Jets landed their pass-catcher. New York moved up from No. 72 to No. 65 in the third round to select Western Kentucky wide Malachi Corley.

The Jets traded a fifth-round pick, No. 157 overall, to move up seven spots to secure Corley.

Corley is known as the “YAC king” thanks to his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. Corley is explosive with the ball in his hands and is a receiver that can make plays all over the field once he gets into the open field.

In 2022, Corley caught 101 passes for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns. That included leading the FBS in yards after the catch as well as forced misses by a wide receiver. Last season, he caught 79 passes for 984 and 11 touchdowns in two fewer games.

The Jets may have gotten their own version of 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, just in a smaller frame (5’10”, 207 pounds). Corley will make the offense that much more exciting.

Latest Jets salary cap update before 2024 NFL Draft

Latest Jets salary cap update before 2024 NFL Draft

The day has arrived. Thursday kicks off the 2024 NFL Draft. The Jets are set to select 10th in Thursday’s first round and currently have seven total picks in the draft, one pick in Rounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 as well as two picks in Round 4. They currently do not have a pick in the second round.

According to Over the Cap, the Jets currently only have about $2.8 million in cap space. That includes the recent trade of Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos. As it stands now, the Jets will likely have to create space to sign their draft class. The projected 2024 cap hit for the 10th pick is about $4 million and a total draft pool cap hit of about $9.5 million.

Fortunately, there are still ways to do so. For example, the Jets could restructure the contract of Quinnen Williams and turning most of his $14.4 million base salary into a signing or roster bonus.

The Jets may have to get a little creative to sign their draft picks, but they have all summer in which to do so. The team should be just fine from that standpoint.

Jets to split Zach Wilson’s 2024 compensation with Broncos

The Jets were able to save some cap space thanks to their deal with the Broncos for Zach Wilson.

The Jets were finally able to find a trade partner for quarterback Zach Wilson, ending a tumultuous four-year run in New York. On Monday, the team agreed to send Wilson and the 256th pick in this week’s draft to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the No. 203 pick.

The Jets and Broncos also agreed to split the compensation owed to Wilson this season. Each team will pay $2.75 million to Wilson this season.

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The deal means the Jets save $2.75 million in cap space but Wilson leaves about $8.5 million in dead money. Per Over the Cap, the Jets have about $2.8 million in cap space heading into the draft.

Getting something for Wilson and being able to shed some cap space is a win for the Jets. They move up about 50 spots, from 256 to 203, and save almost $3 million. Had they cut Wilson outright, they would have had no cap savings at all.

Jets trading Zach Wilson to Broncos in late-round pick swap

The Jets are trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos, swapping Day 3 picks in the draft

The Zach Wilson era is finally over. After weeks of trying to find a trade partner, the Jets get a deal done before the draft this week. They are sending Wilson to the Denver Broncos in a late-round pick swap.

As expected, the Jets are also attaching a draft pick to help facilitate the trade. The Jets are sending a seventh-round pick (No. 256) to Denver and will pick up a sixth in return (No. 203). The Jets are also expected to pay a large portion of Wilson’s $5.7 million compensation for this season.

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Ultimately, the Jets get a win by being able to get something for Wilson. They essentially move up 50 spots in the draft, going from 256 to 203, and are able to save some cap space – even if they are eating some of Wilson’s salary.

Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, was thrust into action as a rookie and things just never panned out for him. 2023 was supposed to be the year he could sit and learn behind Aaron Rodgers, but then Rodgers’ Achilles injury happened in Week 1, Wilson went back into the lineup and the offense took an expected nosedive.

Wilson was also benched in each of the last two seasons and was seemingly losing a ton of confidence. Now he gets a chance to resurrect himself in Denver, who are still likely to address the position at some point during the draft, perhaps even in the first round.

The Jets now have picks 10, 72, 111, 134, 185, 203 and 257.

Jets remain open to trading Zach Wilson, who is skipping voluntary workouts

Jets remain open to trading Zach Wilson, who is skipping voluntary workouts

Zach Wilson is still a quarterback for the New York Jets…for now. It still remains a question of “when” not “if” the Jets will trade the former No. 2 overall pick.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas met with the media for his pre-draft press conference Friday and was asked about the status of Wilson. Douglas called Wilson an “asset” but that the team remains open to trading Wilson and that “there have been discussions.”

Wilson is currently skipping the voluntary workouts as he and the Jets remain in limbo over the trade discussions.

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There are a couple factors that are making trading Wilson a little more difficult for the Jets. First, many quarterback situations and even backup situations have been settled across the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers added both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Arizona Cardinals acquired Desmond Ridder to back up Kyler Murray and Buffalo brought back Mitch Trubisky as Josh Allen’s understudy, just to name a few.

Another obstacle is Wilson $5.45 million in fully guaranteed compensation, including a $4.3 million roster bonus due at the start of training camp. The Jets will either have to eat some of that money or attach a draft pick in order to facilitate a trade. If the Jets simply cut Wilson, they see no cap relief at all. But that may be an option the Jets ultimately have to take.

Whether it’s before, during or after the draft next week, one thing seems pretty certain: Wilson isn’t going to be a Jet much longer. The Jets have Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor on the roster and Douglas talked about wanting to have a “quarterback factory” like the Green Bay Packers of the 1990’s. That could lead to believe the Jets will take a quarterback later in the draft (Jordan Travis? Michael Pratt? Devin Leary?).

It’s just a matter of time at this point. Wilson is no longer part of that factory.

Jets great Marty Lyons named to Senior Bowl Hall of Fame

Jets great Marty Lyons named Senior Bowl Hall of Fame

Legendary Jets defensive lineman Marty Lyons was announced as a member of the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Lyons played his college ball at Alabama from 1975-1978, winning the 1978 national championship and being part of “The Goal Line Stand” fourth-quarter play to help win the title. Lyons also took part in the 1979 edition of the Senior Bowl.

Lyons would go on to be selected No. 14 overall in the 1979 draft and spend his entire 12-season career with the Jets as part of the famed New York Sack Exchange with Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau and Abdul Salaam.

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Lyons was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2013 following a career that included being named NFL Man of the Year in 1984 and being a two-time Pro Bowl alternate.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Senior Bowl Committee for this great honor,” said Lyons via the Senior Bowl. “It’s a privilege to represent the University of Alabama, the coaching staff, my teammates, and the great fans of the Crimson Tide. Playing in the Senior Bowl provided me with an invaluable opportunity to showcase my talent against the best players in college football. The experience played a pivotal role in my journey to becoming a first-round pick of the New York Jets, where I spent my entire 11-year NFL career. Thank you and Roll Tide!”

Also going into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame are quarterback Carson Palmer, linebacker and current Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, safety Eric Weddle and wide receiver Roddy White.

Aaron Rodgers arrives for start of Jets’ offseason program

Aaron Rodgers and the Jets are back in Florham Park.

The Jets are back in Florham Park as the team begins their offseason program Monday. One notable name among those back in action: quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers is seven months removed from his Achilles surgery. He pushed to play at the end of the season before the Jets were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15. The team still activated Rodgers from injured reserve to allow him to continue rehabbing and practicing.

Rodgers is healthier and ready to lead the Jets in what is a pressure-packed season, one that will determine the futures of various people in the building, not the least of whom are head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.

As of Monday, all 32 teams are back at their training facilities. This first phase of the program is strength and conditioning. The Jets’ first OTAs are set for May 20, and their mandatory minicamp is June 11-13.

Jets bringing back safety Ashtyn Davis

Ashtyn Davis is staying with the Jets

A key special-teams contributor and depth piece on defense is coming back to the Jets. The team is re-signing safety Ashtyn Davis, per a report by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The 2020 third-round pick out of California has become one of the key pieces for the Jets on special teams and has also made contributions on defense. He played in all 17 games last season and recorded three interceptions.

Getting Davis back brings the Jets back up to four safeties currently on the roster. The safety room includes Tony Adams, Chuck Clark and Jarrick Bernard-Converse. A rookie option could still be in the cards for the Jets but getting Davis back at least gives the team a solid group of four heading into the offseason program, which begins Monday.

Jets land Georgia TE Brock Bowers in Mel Kiper’s latest two-round mock

Jets land Georgia TE Brock Bowers in Mel Kiper’s latest two-round mock

The list of mock drafts sending Georgia tight end Brock Bowers to the New York Jets is becoming countless. The latest on the list is the latest two-round mock from the great Mel Kiper of ESPN.

Kiper sees this as a logical match as the Jets continue to surround quarterback Aaron Rodgers with weapons in a push to make a postseason run this season and end their 13-season drought. With the upgrades along the offensive line, the Jets have the flexibility to secure the talents of Bowers and add firepower to the middle of the field with Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams on the outside.

Here is what Kiper had to say about the pick:

This is really the first logical match I see for Bowers, the two-time Mackey Award winner who is head and shoulders above the other tight ends in this class. If the Jets are all-in around quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season, taking Bowers would give them the best chance to make a playoff run. They brought in left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle Morgan Moses last month, which lessens the need for an immediate starter at tackle. This just makes sense.

There are other good tight ends in this class, like Theo Johnson of Penn State and Ben Sinnott of Kansas State, just to name a few, but as Kiper said, Bowers is well above the rest of the class. The Jets have a good quarterback room but will strongly consider the excellent receiving ability of Bowers to further improve the group that also includes Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah and Zack Kuntz.

An interesting note here from ESPN’s Rich Cimini: Bowers would be only the fifth tight end the Jets have taken in the first round if they make the selection and the first since 2008 with Dustin Keller.

The others were Anthony Becht (2000), Kyle Brady (1995), Johnny Mitchell (1992) and Jerome Barkum (1972). Keller’s career was riddled with injuries. Becht and Brady were nice but the Brady pick will always be remembered for not being Warren Sapp. Mitchell, the 15th pick, played just 57 games in his career. Barkum had almost 4,800 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career, not bad for the 1970s. He spent his entire 12-season career with the Jets.

The Jets can use a game-changer this season. Bowers can be that game-changer.

Jets to meet with LSU WR Malik Nabers Tuesday

The Jets are meeting with another top wide receiver prospect this week.

The Jets are set to meet with another top wide receiver prospect this week as they get all the final intel they can just before the start of the draft. On Tuesday, the Jets will meet with LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.
The consensus All-American and Biletnikoff finalist caught 89 passs for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. Nabers had nine games with over 100 yards including a 239-yard performance against Mississippi State.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Nabers as his No. 3 wide receiver and No. 4 player overall on his latest top 50 big board. Here’s his scouting report on Nabers:

Nabers is a dynamic receiver with outstanding competitiveness and production. He explodes off the line in his release, creating immediate separation. He sets up defenders before snapping off his route. He isn’t afraid to work in the middle of the field and has strong hands to finish through contact. When working back to the quarterback, he prefers to let the ball travel into his body, but his drops are limited. He can scoop low throws off his shoes and easily adjusts to balls on his back hip. He does a lot of damage on slot fades, where he uses his speed to win early, and he tracks the ball with ease. After the catch, he explodes through tackles and also has a nasty stiff arm. Overall, Nabers is an electric playmaker who reminds me of DJ Moore with the ball in his hands.

Nabers is absolutely in play for the Jets at No 10 if they choose to stay at that position. Another dynamic weapon on this offense would always be welcomed going into this season, given the pressure surrounding this team. The Jets have the flexibility to select the best player available and Nabers can certainly be that player based on how the draft plays out.