NFL Expert Explains Why New York Jets Should Draft Offensive Lineman

Despite a growing popularity of selecting a top skill player with the 10th pick, the best chance to win next season for New York Jets comes from adding an offensive lineman.

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu (OL18) talks to the / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

It's the lone debate going through the mind of most fans of the New York Jets.

Should Gang Green opt to select an offensive lineman with the 10th overall pick, or move past their offensive line needs to take the best available skill player?

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu (OL18) talks to the / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

As we get closer to the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jets' lone question is compounded only by the realization that, with several teams looking to trade up into the top 10 this year, several excellent players could fall to New York. Deciding on who to draft won't be easy. A growing majority of the fanbase believes that the process shouldn't be too difficult. After all, with a 40-year-old quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, the Jets need to continue to go "all-in" for next season.

There are different ways to go all in, though.

New York has made moves this offseason to improve the status of their offensive line. All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith was brought in to man Rodgers' blindside, while Morgan Moses was traded for to stabilize the right tackle spot. Both players are 33 years old with injury history to boot.

It's why if the Jets are looking to seriously compete for a championship next season, selecting the best available offensive lineman with the 10th pick (or in a trade down) would be the best thing to do for the franchise.

This isn't to say that the organization cannot still find a competent wide receiver or skill player in the later rounds. If Gang Green were to trade back from the 10th overall pick and accumulate more picks, they'd get more bites of the apple in a loaded overall draft class. While taking the best offensive lineman is important, taking one after a trade down might be the best overall management of resources.

That still means an offensive lineman is the smartest pick.

Consider this hypothetical, it's Week 16 of the 2024 season, and the Jets are a win away from clinching their first division title since 2002. The problem? Smith and Moses are hurt with Moses doing everything he can to hit the field on Sunday. Who would Jets fans rather have as the starter for an injured Smith - a player like Penn State's Olu Fashanu, or mid-round selections Carter Warren or Max Mitchell?

Would they trust Aaron Rodgers to win behind Fashanu, or with Warren/Mitchell playing as he tries to throw to Rome Odunze or Brock Bowers?

Seems like a simple answer, no?

As much as the organization is high on both Warren and Mitchell individually, the Jets cannot rely on them to be the chief backups going into the new season. Especially one where both their tackles have injury concerns and will be free agents following the season.

In one of the deepest offensive line draft classes in recent memory, it would be foolish for the Jets to do anything else but draft from that well as early as possible. Even if it means sacrificing a quality skill player this season.

The thing is, though, there are quality receivers in almost every draft now. There are other free agents who can help the franchise as well. There aren't offensive lineman available that have the skillset as some of these other players, though.

That, along with taking care of Rodgers' health, is the chief reason why New York should only be focused on finding the best offensive lineman in the draft with their first round pick.