Jets Rumors: Brock Bowers Was Never 'a Major' NFL Draft Target, NY Wanted Rome Odunze

In the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Jets were frequently linked to talented tight end Brock Bowers, but they decided to go in a different direction by selecting left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed the thought process the Jets had entering the draft, noting that they would've selected wide receiver Rome Odunze if the Chicago Bears didn't take him with the No. 9 pick, one pick before New York was set to be on the clock. With Odunze off the board, the Jets traded back to the No. 11 pick to select Fashanu despite Bowers still being available.

"The sense around the league is the Jets were pretty set on Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 10 overall ... unless Washington receiver Rome Odunze was available. The people I've talked to believe the Jets would have jumped at Odunze, though they correctly figured Chicago was taking him there," Fowler explained. "Georgia tight end Brock Bowers was a consideration for the Jets but not a major one. New York was also very high on Washington tackle Troy Fautanu but had some long-term durability concerns about him."

Bowers wound up getting selected two picks later by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13. While that pick was somewhat surprising due to the Raiders' need for a quarterback of the future, adding a player as talented as Bowers should provide the Las Vegas offense with some much-needed firepower for the 2024 campaign.

The Jets are planning to have Fashanu play in a backup role as a rookie while he learns under veteran tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, both of whom were acquired this offseason on short-term deals.

New York is hoping that Fashanu will be ready to take over as the team's franchise left tackle in 2025 and beyond.