WORTH A LOOK
Ten players Jets will be watching at this week’s NFL combine
NFL executives and coaches will head to Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine this week.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas will accompany other scouts and coaches to interview several highly talented prospects. Robert Saleh will not be in attendance, which may raise a few eyebrows with the Jets coming off a second consecutive 7-10 season. However, this isn’t a rare occurrence because Saleh didn’t attend last year’s scouting combine either.
The team’s myriad issues will need to be addressed either in free agency or the draft, which will be held on April 25–27, 2024 in Detroit. Gang Green will pick 10th.
Let’s look at the 10 players the Jets could keep a close eye on this week.
● JOE ALT, OT, NOTRE DAME: Alt likely won’t make it to the Jets’ selection. However, he is someone over whom the Jets must be salivating when they watch his film.
Alt started at left tackle in all three seasons at Notre Dame. He has the traits and tools to be a generational left tackle at the next level.
Alt’s father, John, was a tackle for 13 seasons for the Chiefs (1984-96), so he certainly has the NFL pedigree. At 6-foot-8, 315 pounds, Alt also has the excellent size and footwork to block various pass rushers at the next level.
The Jets will likely have to trade up if they’re interested in Alt. The problem is they’re already missing a second-round pick due to the Aaron Rodgers trade last offseason.
● ROME ODUNZE, WR, WASHINGTON: It is no secret the Jets need more explosive playmakers offensively. If Odunze is still on the board at No. 10, the Jets must consider selecting him.
After Marvin Harrison Jr, Odunze could be the best receiver in this year’s class. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Odunze has the prototypical size for a receiver.
What also stands out about Odunze are his exceptional hands and versatility. While at Washington, Odunze played both outside and in the slot. Last season for the Huskies, Odunze caught 92 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns.
● MALIK NABERS, WR, LSU: The Odunze vs. Nabers debate should really begin to heat up this week at the combine. Nabers is an explosive receiver who knows how to separate from defenders off the line of scrimmage.
He is a bit smaller than Odunze, but what Nabers lacks in size, he makes up in athletic ability. In traffic, over defenders, and deep passes, there is no catch Nabers cannot make.
Nabers can play all three receiver spots and he has the potential to be the best player in this year’s draft class.
● OLU FASHANU, OT, PENN STATE: At just 21, Fashanu has all the tools scouts want in a tackle. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Fashanu has a ton of potential and the strength to shut pass rushers down consistently.
Fashanu is effective in run blocking and can reach the second level with his athleticism. There’s a chance Fashanu is still available at No. 10. If Alt is off the board, Fashanu should be the pick for the Jets.
● TALIESE FUAGA, OT, OREGON STATE: Fuaga has continued to climb up draft boards during the last few months. His impressive Senior Bowl certainly helped Fuaga after he was consistently aggressive at the point of attack throughout practices.
Fuaga’s 6-foot-6, 334-pound frame helps keep opponents in front of him, especially with his active and fast hands and footwork. He played right tackle at Oregon State but has the potential to play at guard if needed.
● BROCK BOWERS, TE, GEORGIA: Bowers will undoubtedly be one of the best prospects available. But where he gets drafted remains a mystery.
During his time with the Bulldogs, Bowers lined up all over the field. In three seasons at Georgia, Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Not only is Bowers an excellent pass catcher, but he is a decent blocker on running and passing downs. The Jets don’t necessarily need a tight end, with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert expected to be on their roster.
But he would fill their need for an offensive playmaker.
● TYLER GUYTON, OT, OKLAHOMA: If the Jets trade down from No. 10, a player like Guyton could be in play.
Guyton doesn’t have a lot of experience after starting in just 15 games in his college career. But at 6-foot-7, 328 pounds, Guyton has the talent to play either right or left tackle in the NFL. He also has the length and athleticism to keep the top pass rushers in front of him.
● AMARIUS MIMS, OT, GEORGIA: Much like Guyton, Mims also doesn’t have much playing experience at the college level. He started in just eight games in his three seasons at Georgia.
The first thing scouts may notice about Mims is his 6-foot-7, 340-pound frame. But he has the rare combination of size, strength, and technique to succeed in the NFL.
● JC LATHAM, OT, ALABAMA: Latham is a plug-and-play tackle who demonstrates a lot of power in both run and pass protection. His size also stands out at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds. The biggest question with Latham is whether he has the quickness to keep pass rushers in front of him consistently. He is wellcoached after being in the Alabama program and starting 27 games the last two seasons.
● TROY FAUTANU, OT, WASHINGTON: Fautanu doesn’t have the size other tackle prospects in this class have (6-foot-4, 317 pounds), but he has the athleticism that would fit well in the Jets offensive scheme.
What also stands out about Fautanu is his versatility. Although most of his playing experience at Washington was at left tackle, Fautanu can also play either guard spot or at right tackle.
Any reunion between Saquon Barkley and the Giants likely won’t come via the franchise tag.
The Giants are not expected to use the $12.1 million tag on the star running back but will still explore a new contract with him, ESPN reported Monday.
A failure to reach a deal before free agency begins on March 13 would result in Barkley, 27, hitting the open market for the first time in his career.
Monday’s report is the latest to indicate Barkley will not be tagged for a second consecutive year. Barkley played last season on a revised $10.1 million tag and would be due for a 20% raise if the Giants tagged him again.
“They did it last year, so I’m numb to it,” Barkley said last month. “I don’t have any feelings toward that at all. (But) if you’re gonna do it, just don’t wait until (the deadline on) March 5. Just get it over with. If not, let me go. Simple.”
Barkley, whom the Giants drafted second overall in 2018, rushed for 962 yards on 3.9 yards per carry and scored 10 total touchdowns in 14 games last season.
The Bronx-born Barkley eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his six NFL seasons, most recently in 2022, when he recorded a career-high 1,312. He’s battled injuries throughout his career, including a torn ACL in 2020 and ankle sprains in 2019, 2021 and last year.
Losing Barkley would create a play-making void for a Giants team on which quarterback Daniel Jones, who played only six games during an injury-plagued 2023 season, finished second in rushing with 206 yards. Barkley’s backup, Matt Brieda, is set to become a free agent after rushing for 151 yards on 2.7 yards per carry in 2023.
NFL teams remain reluctant to give expensive, long-term contracts to running backs, a position with a reputation for players wearing down at younger ages.
The Raiders are also not expected to tag running back Josh Jacobs for a second consecutive season, nor are the Cowboys considered likely to tag Tony Pollard again, according to ESPN. The Titans’ Derrick Henry and the Chargers’ Austin Ekeler aren’t expected to be tagged, either.