After conducting extensive research following their separation from GM Joe DouglasTHE Jets decided to try his luck against the assistant general manager Darren Mougey of the Denver Broncos.
Mougey has served in a variety of roles during his time with the organization, and now he comes to the Big Apple, where he will be tasked with helping turn around a team that finished 5-12 last season and didn’t hasn’t been to the playoffs in 14 years.
One of his first tasks: the NFL draft.
After another tough season, Gang Green currently holds the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Here’s what the experts tell them to do…
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Even if Aaron Rodgers is not back (and assuming Davante Adams won’t), the Jets will most likely roll with a veteran in 2025 and continue to build the roster for a young quarterback later. McMillan’s size, contested catching ability and red zone presence are the perfect complement against Garrett Wilson.
Charlie Campbell, Walter Football
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Davante Adams will likely be a cap casualty, and the Jets could use an upgrade opposite Garrett Wilson. In 2024, McMillan has 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. To open the season, McMillan had an incredible performance with 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns against New Mexico.
Arizona had an impressive 2023 season while featuring a dangerous passing attack. W.R. Jacob Cowing was a known factor for 2023, but McMillan became a playmaker that season. The sophomore caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. McMillan had 39 catches for 702 yards and eight scores as a freshman.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound McMillan has size that doesn’t match up to the NFL.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan is 6-foot-5, but he moves like a shifty slot receiver with the advantage of a huge catch radius and the ability to make contested catches look easy. Think Drake London but a better athlete.
Nate Tice, Yahoo! Sporty
OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State
general manager Joe Douglas may be gone, but the Jets continue to recruit defensive linemen. Carter may be up and down against the run, but he has high-end passing potential and could rebuild a once-elite unit that needs to evolve its cast of characters.
Danish Brugler, The Athletic
DT Mason Graham, Michigan
The Jets are another team that feels in limbo due to question marks at quarterback. But the roster also has plenty of other needs, particularly on the defensive line. Graham is not very long, but he will have a high floor in the NFL because he knows how to deconstruct blocks and be a factor against the run or pass.
Mel Kiper Jr, ESPN
OLB Mykel Williams, Georgia
This is another team with QB questions, but regardless of Aaron Rodgers’ future, the Jets could focus on the other side of the ball in the first round. I have a feeling Williams will be drafted higher than expected and could give New York more of an outside presence.
He needs coaching (Aaron Glenn would be great for his development) and has room to grow with his pass rush technique. But I see the potential here for 10-12 sacks per season.
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic
OLB Mykel Williams, Georgia
We shouldn’t completely rule out the Jets as a possible QB destination, at least until we see the new coach/GM setup. As with Chicago, however, the Jets should consider being aggressive in this draft if they covet a high-end player. This list, team dysfunction aside, was better than the five wins it produced this season. He just needs good leadership – and possibly a new quarterback.