After a lengthy wait, the New York Jets finally completed a trade with the Green Bay Packers for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
On Monday, the Jets landed Rodgers, the No. 15 and No. 170 selections from the Packers in exchange for the No. 13, No. 42 and No. 207 picks plus a 2024 conditional second-rounder that will become a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the club’s offensive snaps.
Unsurprisingly, the Jets are also reportedly eyeing one of the top offensive weapons in the first round of Thursday’s draft:
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, the Jets have “spent considerable time” looking at Ohio State Buckeyes wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba:
“Based on conversations with people around the league and sources with knowledge of the Jets’ draft plans, the team has spent considerable time and resources doing work on another Buckeyes wide receiver.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, my top-ranked wideout, is expected to be off the board by the time the Jets draft at No. 15 — he might even go to the Packers at No. 13 following their swap as part of the Aaron Rodgers deal — but if you’re looking for a Thursday night surprise, this could be it.”
Smith-Njigba, Boston College’s Zay Flowers, USC’s Jordan Addison and TCU’s Quentin Johnston are the consensus top four wide receiver prospects in this year’s class. All four are widely expected to be first-round picks.
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The Jets already have one star wideout in Garrett Wilson, the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Veteran Corey Davis and free agent pickups Mecole Hardman and Allen Lazard (Rodgers’ old Green Bay teammate) and second-year running back Breece Hall round out the Jets’ deep set of playmakers.
Smith-Njigba was limited to three games in his final collegiate season because of a hamstring injury. In 2021, his last healthy season, Smith-Njigba recorded 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.
Wide receiver isn’t necessarily a pressing need for the Jets, but it doesn’t help to supply their new franchise quarterback with as many weapons as possible. We’ll find out soon enough if the Jets are content to add another pass-catcher with the No. 15 pick.
