The New York Jets had a golden opportunity to move into a playoff spot after nine weeks if they would have defeated the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. Instead, they fell to 11th in the AFC playoff standings and currently sit in the middle of the draft order at the halfway point of the season.
At 4-4, the Jets would currently hold the 16th pick in the 2024 draft, which will be held April 25-27, 2024 in Detroit.
Technically, the Jets do not control that pick because of the condition of the Aaron Rodgers trade with the Green Bay Packers. If Rodgers plays 65 percent of the offensive snaps, the Jets would send a first-round pick instead of a second. Obviously, Rodgers has not played 65 percent of the snaps. He has played four. Even if he returns at some point this season, he likely won’t play enough to reach that threshold.
The Jets won’t officially control their top pick until next offseason, likely around the Scouting Combine, but the likelihood is that they will keep their first pick and send their second to the Packers.
The Arizona Cardinals, at 1-8, hold the top pick. The Chicago Bears would currently have the next two picks. The Carolina Panthers have their second-worst record at 1-7 but owe their pick to the Bears as part of last year’s trade that saw the Panthers acquire the No. 1 pick to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
The New York Giants (2-7) and New England Patriots (2-7) round out the top five.
Here is the current order among non-playoff teams.
1. Arizona Cardinals (1-8)
2. Chicago Bears (via CAR 1-7)
3. Chicago Bears (2-7)
4. New York Giants (2-7)
5. New England Patriots (2-7)
6. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)
7. Green Bay Packers (3-5)
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
9. Denver Broncos (3-5)
10. Tennessee Titans (3-5)
11. Atlanta Falcons (4-5)
12. Washington Commanders (4-5)
13. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)
15. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU 4-4)
16. New York Jets (4-4)
17. Los Angeles Chargers (4-4)
18. Buffalo Bills (5-4)
