Most NFL mock drafts are a shot in the dark. However, with most of NFL free agency behind us, we can start to have an idea of what kind of direction the New York Jets will be going in as they prepare for the 2025 NFL draft. With that in mind, this will be my first of multiple mock drafts for the Jets for GGN. I’ll try to be as reasonable as possible in my selections and trade decisions, and will be going in-depth to explain why I’ve selected the chosen player in each round.
NY Jets Mock Draft 1.0
Round 1, Pick 07: Armand Membou, OT - Missouri
The first pick for the Jets has been all over the board. Some believe the Jets will select a tight end, while others believe it could be a wide receiver. However, I believe that Aaron Glenn will be looking to build around the offense in the most important unit - the offensive line.
In that regard, some may see Will Campbell as the pick. However, I and most scouts believe that he’s more fit to play inside at the NFL level. On the flip side, Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou is the perfect fit to slide into the right tackle position for the Jets after Morgan Moses’ departure.
The Mizzou prospect posted elite pass-blocking and run-blocking grades for the Tigers last year. He also has the arm length that most NFL teams look for in the tackle position. Adding Membou to the roster allows Olu Fashanu to take over at left tackle full-time, setting the cornerstone of the offensive line for the foreseeable future.
Round 2, Pick 42: Jaxson Dart, QB - Ole Miss
To be honest, I was surprised to see Dart on the board at this pick. However, given how volatile his stock has been since the end of the college football season, it’s truly anyone’s guess as to where he’ll end up. I won’t go too in-depth in this pick, as I’ve discussed Dart extensively in a prior article.
Yes, the Jets signed Justin Fields in free agency. However, there’s no question that the team is looking for a franchise quarterback going forward. There may be a chance that Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe ends up being the choice here. But for now, we’re going to go with Dart as the potential QB of the future for New York.
Round 3, Pick 74: Xavier Restrepo, WR - Miami
Prior to this pick, I traded the Jets’ 73rd overall selection to move back one spot, while picking up a 2026 sixth round pick (and to be honest, that could end up as a future fifth-round pick in a more realistic scenario). And with that pick, I chose Hurricanes’ wide receiver Xavier Restrepo.
I wrote in detail about why Restrepo is a realistic option for the Jets. The biggest reason why Restrepo would be a great selection for the Jets is his ability to perform on broken plays. The Miami wideout has an incredibly high football IQ, and whether it’s Fields or Dart, having a player who can get open off-script is important for the current Jets’ signal callers.
Round 4, Pick 110: Terrance Ferguson, TE - Oregon
With Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt as the only viable tight ends on the Jets’ roster, the team takes on a playmaker at the position in Terrance Ferguson. The Jets had their TE coach and co-director of player personnel at Oregon’s Pro Day to get a better look at the Ducks’ tight end.
Ferguson impressed at the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.63 40-yard dash. While his collegiate career is underwhelming from a statistical standpoint, tight end is a position that can be a complete crapshoot. And, if the Jets like the intangibles Ferguson brings to the table, there’s a solid chance he becomes the pick at the beginning of Day 3.
Round 5, Pick 145: Elijah Roberts, DL - SMU
Since transferring from Miami to SMU, Elijah Roberts has performed at an incredibly high level. In 2023, the SMU product had 13 sacks, producing elite defensive and pass-rushing grades. Roberts performed at a similar level in 2024, putting together 8 sacks and 60 total pressures.
In true pass sets, Roberts was elite. His 32.7 win-rate ranked seventh out of 220 qualifiers. Meanwhile in normal pass-rushing sets, he still ranked 10th among EDGE players. And on top of his regular-season accolades, Roberts also put together an impressive display at the Shrine Bowl.
Roberts is a massive EDGE prospect in this year’s draft. The Mustang measured at 6-foot-4 inches and 285 pounds at the NFL Combine, with 33 5/8 inch arms. Given that size, Roberts has the potential versatility to play both inside and outside. That’s a luxury the Jets desperately could use, considering the health of Jermaine Johnson, and the lack of run-support help from Will McDonald. The SMU EDGE has also already met with the Jets, showing that there is mutual interest there.
SMU DL Elijah Roberts tells me he had a “great” meeting with #Jets DL coach Eric Washington.
More on his meeting with the Jets, his background, and his football journey in the link below! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fHBfcCIgOC
— Justin Fried (@JustinTFried) March 18, 2025
Round 5, Pick 162: Hollin Pierce, OT - Rutgers
This could be the biggest steal of the draft. Hollin Pierce would be a great insurance policy in case Armand (or even Olu) doesn’t work out.
I’ve mentioned Pierce previously in an “underrated draft targets” article on GGN, so I won’t go into crazy depth. With that said, it’s hard to not root for a player like Pierce - who was once homeless and a walk-on, to becoming a four-year starter at a P4 program in college football.
Pierce impressed at the Shrine Bowl, and he has the length and strength to be a player like Tyron Smith (just hopefully not the version who played for the Jets).
Round 6, Pick 186: Upton Stout, CB - Western Kentucky
Upton Stout may have measured at only 5-foot-8 at the NFL Combine, but he plays with similar tenacity to former Jets’ cornerback DJ Reed, with the coverage skills of Michael Carter II. Stout shows great prowess as a coverage corner, but more importantly, he’s not afraid to put his head down and make a play in the run game.
Stout performed very well at the Senior Bowl to end his final campaign at Western Kentucky.
With the Jets’ adding versatile pieces to the secondary in free agency, there could be multiple ways Stout finds himself on the field if given an opportunity. Plus, a player with the mentality of Stout would likely do well with coach Glenn.
Round 6, Pick 208: Fadil Diggs, EDGE - Syracuse
Prior to this pick, I traded the Jets 207th overall selection to add a 2026 seventh-round pick
To be honest, there are so many players on the back-end of Day 3 in current mock drafts that could be potential players in the NFL, that it’s hard to fault anyone for their decision here. I chose to go with Fadil Diggs from Syracuse. I’ve written about him in the past as well, so I won’t try to go too deep in this blurb.
Diggs is an athletic specimen, who really performed well at the NFL Combine and at the Syracuse Pro Day.
At his Pro Day, Diggs hit 26 reps on the bench, which would have been tied for eighth at the NFL Combine. He also displayed quickness in the agility testing to match his strength.
However, one of the biggest assets Diggs has is his football IQ and leadership. He was taught well by coach Fran Brown, and that type of character is one the NY Jets should add to a defense that needs better accountability and leadership from their younger players.
On top of that, he could be an excellent option for the team going forward if he continues to develop as an EDGE.