Has free agency changed the Jets' approach to the NFL Draft?

When the offseason began, many believed the New York Jets were planning to use the No. 10 overall selection on an offensive lineman.

But now that the team has signed guard John Simpson and traded for offensive tackle Morgan Moses, perhaps the Jets may be more inclined to use their first-round pick on another position — one that’s become an emergent area of need over the last 24 hours: wide receiver.

The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt reported on Thursday afternoon that New York had granted WR Corey Davis his release after the 29-year-old applied for reinstatement to the league following a one-year hiatus.

Then a little over an hour later, the Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Jets have made Allen Lazard, the team’s second-leading wide receiver in 2023, available in trade talks this offseason.

If Lazard were to be traded, and with Randall Cobb hitting free agency, the Jets would be left with a receiving corps of Garrett Wilson, Jason Brownlee, Irvin Charles, Xavier Gipson, Lance McCutcheon and Malik Taylor — a group that has a combined 35 career catches, 378 yards and two touchdowns without Wilson’s contributions.

Some of the biggest names on the market — Calvin Ridley, Darnell Mooney, Gabe Davis, Curtis Samuel — have all signed with other teams, leaving Marquise Brown, Mike Williams, Tyler Boyd and Michael Thomas as the best remaining options in an average group of available pass-catchers.

Which brings us to the draft. 

If the Jets want to upgrade Aaron Rodgers’ supporting cast, the draft might be their best bet. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU’s Malik Nabers are expected to go early in the top 10 picks, and there’s a good chance Washington’s Rome Odunze might be gone by the time the Jets are on the clock at No. 10 as well.

However, NY has two fourth-round picks plus two compensatory seventh-round picks it could possibly deal to move up a spot or two if it wanted to grab Odunze, who led the country with 1,640 receiving yards and ranked sixth in both receptions (92) and touchdowns (13).