Indeed, The NFL draft probably had a familiar feel for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. At least on Day 1. Since 2012, his teams have picked a defensive player with 12 of their past 13 first-round picks. It is true that New York needed an offensive tackle. Also, fans were pining for a top wide receiver. Instead, the New York Jets opted for pass-rusher Will McDonald IV with the 15th pick. Correlate that the Jets didn’t take a receiver with any of their seven picks. That, coupled with the ill-fated pursuit of Odell Beckham Jr., raises NFL odds concerns.
NFL Future Odds Post Draft 2023-24 New York Jets
| Super Bowl Championship SBG Odds: | +1400 |
|---|---|
| AFC Championship SBG Odds: | +800 |
| AFC East Division Championship SBG Odds: | +250 |
| 2023 Over/Under Win Total: | 9.5 |
It’s Now or Never for New York Jets
It is true the Jets are in win-now mode with a 39-year-old quarterback. Rodgers says he wants to add some company to the “lonely” Lombardi Trophy in the team’s lobby showcase.
Now, the Jets’ objective is to surround Rodgers with as many weapons as possible. First, they replaced Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios with 6-foot-5 Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman Jr. Thus, adding size and experience (nine combined NFL seasons) to the position. But the Jets’ top four receivers have combined for only 15 100-yard performances out of 209 career games.
Of course, the Jets’ online betting hope is that Rodgers elevates everyone around him. At his introductory news conference, Rodgers sounded content with his supporting cast.
While in Green Bay, Rodgers was accustomed to excellent line play. Consider the Packers recorded the highest pass block NFL betting odds win rate over the past five seasons.
By contrast, the Jets, who finished 21st last season, have many moving parts. Subsequently, New York will attempt to settle on a starting five. Also, Rodgers had one of the best receivers in the sport, Davante Adams, for eight years. In comparison, the Jets are counting on Wilson, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, to be That Guy.
Certainly, the fan base is excited. In fact, the Jets posted a slow-motion video of Rodgers throwing to Wilson on the practice field that generated over two million views on Twitter.
Rodgers already has a comfort level with Allen Lazard. Cause by him being a Green Bay teammate for five seasons. The Jets invested a lot in Lazard (four years, $44 million) and expected him to be a major factor.
In addition to catching passes, Lazard will be the “translator,” as Rodgers called him. Specifically, Lazard will teach the quarterback’s hand signals and quirks to the receiver room.
Davis is the most seasoned receiver, with six seasons on the team. However, he’s coming off two injury-plagued seasons. That he’s still on the team is a mild surprise. Cause by his lack of production (66 catches in two years) and relatively high cap charge ($11.2 million), his roster spot could have been in jeopardy. But unless the Jets add a starting-caliber receiver before the season, he’s not going anywhere.
And then Hardman, rehabbing from core-muscle surgery, provides a new dimension. Hardman brings a sub-4.4 speed in the 40. Speed is what Hardman brings to the offense. So the Jets hope to expand his role. Hardman wasn’t an every-down receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs. Instead, he was mainly a “gadget” player used on quick screens and an occasional deep shot.