Pro Football Focus Reveals Middle, Late-Round Receivers for New York Jets

The New York Jets may find their next starting receiver with the 10th pick, but if they opt for an offensive tackle in Round 1, where could they add a target?

Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowing (2) scores on a / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets have emerged from free agency with fewer pressing needs and a newfound ability to go in several directions in the NFL Draft. No longer are they tethered to the top remaining tackle, and with tight end Brock Bowers and the possibility of a star receiver hanging around, New York may find itself adding an element of explosiveness to its offense.

A segment of the fanbase – and presumably, front office – is hoping either LSU’s Malik Nabers or Washington’s Rome Odunze falls to No. 10. In the event neither occurs, though, the Jets will be looking to Days 2 and 3 for additional receiver help.

Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowing (2) scores on a / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If New York kicks the can down the draft at receiver, who could they target?

Pro Football Focus recently identified potential targets in the middle and late rounds that best fit with the Jets. Unsurprisingly, outside of the first round – where receivers boast the skill set and versatility to play across the formation – New York is likely to specialize. With receivers Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams already on the roster, that likely means a slot receiver is of interest.

The Jets don’t have a second-round pick at the moment, but if they go after a receiver in the third round, Washington’s Jalen McMillan makes sense.

“The Jets produced the lowest slot receiving grade in the NFL last season. Part of that was because of poor quarterback play, but they could use a legitimate option in the slot,” Dalton Wasserman wrote. “Washington’s Jalen McMillan battled injuries in 2023 but was still productive when he did play and had more than 1,000 yards in 2022. He would give Aaron Rodgers another reliable route runner to work with.”

Receiver Xavier Gipson’s rookie season was a success, but it didn’t come with monstrous production. Even so, just 21 catches for 229 yards isn’t much to write home about, and his best fit may be as a return man.

McMillan is a strong athlete with the flexibility and body control to start from the jump. He can struggle with physicality at times, but checks the requisite boxes as a separator and catcher to inspire confidence as an ancillary weapon for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

If the Jets turn to a lineman, tight end, or defensive depth on Day 2, they’ll take on more risk at the receiver room. As a result, they could find themselves a match with Arizona receiver Jacob Cowing.

“Cowing earned a PFF receiving grade above 70.0 or better in all five of his college seasons between UTEP and Arizona,” Gordon McGuinness wrote. “He’s going to fall down some draft boards due to his size, but he has the speed to make an impact for the right NFL team.”

Cowing has impressed over the last few seasons in particular, but his prospect profile is interesting. He’s dangerously undersized (5-foot-8, 168 pounds) yet looks the part of an exciting slot receiver. In many ways, he is similar to Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell – a rousing success despite his limitations.

Is Dell an outlier, or is Cowing next in the line of small receivers that play big enough to stick?

Cowing offers more nuance and technical prowess than Gipson, with similar special teams ability. Whether his size plays is yet to be seen, but at his price point in the middle of Day 3, he’s an acceptable roll of the dice.