Questions abound for the New York Jets ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the new regime under head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will have their first selection at No. 7 overall.
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers was reportedly informed that the franchise will move on despite the starting passer having one year remaining on his three-year, $112.5 million deal signed in 2023.
Free agency could be the likely avenue for the Jets to address the void, as the quarterback draft class is considerably heavy at the top.
According to ESPN's new mock draft from Jordan Reid, the top-two passers – Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders – go No. 1 and No. 2 overall, respectively, to the Giants (trade via Tennessee) and the Browns.
With the highly-touted quarterbacks off the board, the Jets are projected to address another area by adding Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart, a combine standout last week in Indianapolis.
"New Jets coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey are in position to add an impact defender alongside Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams and star cornerback Sauce Gardner," Reid wrote. "Stewart was the talk of the combine, as he ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, posted a 40-inch vertical leap and had a 10-foot-11 broad jump."
Stewart showed explosive athleticism despite standing 6-foot-5, 267 pounds. However, his collegiate production has caused hesitation among some in the pre-draft process.
Stewart signed with the Aggies in the No. 1 ranked class of 2022 as the No. 1 player in Florida (Opa Locka), the No. 3 defensive lineman and the No. 9 overall recruit (247Sports).
The former five-star recruit didn't standout on the stat sheet at Texas A&M, totaling 65-career tackles with 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in 37 games over three seasons.
"He is the quintessential "potential over production" prospect, as Stewart had only 4.5 sacks in three college seasons," Reid wrote. "But his time to first pressure (2.43 seconds) topped the FBS, suggesting there's production to be unlocked. 'He has similar size and skill set to Jadeveon Clowney because he can fit in any scheme,' said one scout following his combine workout."
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24-26.
