Jets' Rooting Guide for 2024 NFL Draft Implications of Week 13

Aaron Rodgers might be practicing again, but the New York Jets eyes should still be set on 2024. Specifically, the 2024 draft should offer some hope.

Rodgers has made an incredible recovery from the torn Achilles. The Jets opened his 21-day practice window for the quarterback to return from the injured reserve, however, head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that it, "isn't so much getting ready to play as much as it is a progression in his rehab."

Rodgers also said on an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that his return will depend on his health and the Jets' playoff possibilities. Sumer Sports puts the Jets odds at making the playoffs at just 1.3 percent.

By comparison, ESPN puts the Jets odds of getting a top-five pick in the draft at 20.7 percent.

The best path toward 2024 contention lies in holding off Rodgers' return until next season, getting a top-five pick to bolster the roster and hoping the Jets front office does enough to make this a playoff team next season.

Here are three results the Jets should be rooting for this weekend to get closer to that top five pick.

Commanders over Dolphins

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Sam Howell

At 4-8, the Washington Commanders are currently a half-game worse than the Jets. Ron Rivera's job is in serious jeopardy as a three-game skid has given them a 55.2 percent chance to land in the top five of the draft, per ESPN's projections.

Despite all the losing, the Commanders have reason to keep fighting. Rivera is likely coaching to keep his job and fighting an uphill battle. As we saw with Lovie Smith and the Texans last season, coaches on the way out aren't looking to tank any games.

Then there's Sam Howell. A top-five pick means the Commanders could be in a position to snag one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. Howell is playing this final stretch to show that he's worth a continued shot at being the franchise quarterback, even if a new coach is brought in.

Howell leads the league in passing yards, but a lot of that is the product of having 53 more passing attempts than anyone else in the league.

An unexpected win—like beating the Dolphins this week—would significantly alter the Commanders' draft outlook.

If you're looking for hope that the Commander can pull it off, it's probably in the fact that the Dolphins have the 12th-highest passer rating allowed this season. While they aren't a terrible pass defense, they aren't lights out either. They also just lost Jaelan Phillips for the season to an Achilles injury.

The Commanders are going to have to put up points to keep up with the Dolphins offense but they might be able to do it.

Titans over Colts

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Will Levis hands of to Derrick Henry

If there's a team that the Jets need to pay careful attention to over the home stretch, it's the Tennessee Titans. From a record standpoint, they are tied up at 4-7, but the real concern is that their team needs are similar.

The Titans are still in the middle of rebuilding their offensive line but could also use another wide receiver as they try to build their offense around Will Levis. The Jets are in a nearly identical boat.

Olu Fashanu and Joe Alt are Nos. 5 and 6 in the latest version of our big board. The difference between landing one of those two could come down to whether they pick in front of the Titans or not.

Unfortunately, the Titans have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league. Every team they play from here on out is in playoff contention and the Colts, who are up next, might be the weakest.

The Titans were down one in the fourth quarter in their first meeting of the season. However, the offense froze and was held scoreless in the final quarter of a 23-16 loss.

With any luck for the Jets, Will Levis can get the offense going and the Titans will pull off the minor upset after beating the Panthers 17-10 last week.

Buccaneers over Panthers

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Todd Bowles

The first two legs of this rooting guide parlay are going to be longshots. There's a reason they are right with the Jets in the draft odds, however, this NFC South collision should go the Jets way.

The Bucs are tied with the Jets at 4-7, but they get to host the Carolina Panthers who are the league's worst team right now. This will be the first game since head coach Frank Reich was fired, but that shouldn't make a difference.

Despite being three games below .500, the Bucs still have an outside shot at making the playoffs. They are just one game behind the Falcons and Saints in the NFC South and they have two games left against the Panthers.

The Jets need to hope that the Buccaneers stay in contention for as long as possible. A loss to the Panthers would be a huge blow to that goal.

Unfortunately, there are some reasons to believe this one won't be as open and shut as it is on paper. Baker Mayfield is playing through an injured ankle and the Bucs have lost six of their last seven games.