This hypothetical move may not have drastically altered the Jets' timeline, but it's still an absolute failure.
In the world of professional sports, the New York Jets are and have historically been viewed as a laughingstock. Constantly picking the wrong coaches and players has led to them missing the playoffs now for 15 years straight.
Even if it's slowly, the tide currently does feel like it could be changing for the Jets. They have a wealth of high-caliber picks over this year and next, as well as seemingly having a solid head coach and general manager combination between Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey.
Even in the midst of a rebuild, Mougey has been able to capitalize on essentially every trade to come out on top and has been frugal with the team's spending in free agency as well.
He's also proven to be fairly competent when it comes to drafting by selecting guys like Armand Membou and Mason Taylor. This is a far cry from their predecessor, Joe Douglas.
A report recently came out from Rich Cimini that the past regime of Douglas and Salah likely fumbled a golden opportunity to add elite talent to their team based on poor evaluation skills.
Jets Could Have Added Jaxon Smith-Njigba Alongside Garrett Wilson
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) talk during football training camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesIt was reported by Cimini that in the 2023 draft, the Jets were eyeing a wide receiver to pair alongside Garrett Wilson. That draft was by no means rife with WR talent, but there was a clear choice.
The Jets had the opportunity to link up two elite former Buckeyes by bringing in Jaxon Smith-Njigba to add next to Garrett Wilson.
The Jets' front office chose not to go that route due to reasons that now look frankly foolish. They viewed him purely as a slot receiver and thought his 4.48 40-yard dash was too slow to consider him in the first round.
Since then, Smith-Njigba has amassed 282 catches, 3,551 yards, and 20 touchdowns while also becoming an NFL Offensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl champion.
Now, you can point to the fact that if he were drafted to the Jets, he wouldn't have found that same level of success. After all, the Jets still wouldn't have had a solid QB under center to get him the ball.
Regardless, this now looks like a massive mistake on the old regime's part to have another young and elite-level player suiting up for the Jets each Sunday.
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