New York Jets

A New York Jets player had his NFL career come to an end before it officially began.

On Wednesday, Jets quarterback Jordan Travis announced that he has been advised to retire from football. The 2024 fifth-round pick suffered a devastating leg injury toward the end of the 2023 season when he was starring for Florida State. He posted a photo of his farewell letter on social media:

pic.twitter.com/Djuqw4j6CG

— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) April 30, 2025

The Jets intend to place Travis on the reserve/retired list. The 24-year-old spent his entire rookie year on the reserve/non-football injury list while rehabbing his leg injury.

"On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn," Travis said in a statement. "I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts and my agent, I've been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply."

In his final year with the Seminoles, Travis made 11 starts and led the team to an 11-0 record while throwing for 2,734 yards, 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions and adding seven rushing scores. He completed 64.1 percent of his passes and finished fifth in the voting for the 2023 Heisman Trophy, establishing himself as an intriguing NFL draft prospect.

Unfortunately, the injury in a game against North Alabama derailed Travis' future. Florida State also suffered mightily, becoming the first undefeated Power Five conference champion to be left out of the College Football Playoff. Voters admitted that the controversial decision was made due to Travis' injury.

The Jets still took a chance by using a fifth-round pick to select Travis, though New York may not have been the best landing spot for him. ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that Travis' agent said in March that the Jets rushed his rehab and caused a setback in his recovery, though he remained "optimistic" about the signal-caller's chances to be ready for the 2025 season.

It's now clear that a return to the football field is out of the question for Travis, and he will have to pursue a new career much sooner than he ever would've expected.

"It is unfortunate that he was unable to get back on the field after working so hard," Jets general manager Darren Mougey said in a statement. "We support his decision and wish him only the best."

New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey didn't sound like someone who is anxious to trade running back Breece Hall on Thursday.

"I haven't had any talks with any teams about Breece Hall," he said, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. "He's on the team."

The comments come after NFL insider Josina Anderson cited a source Thursday who told her Hall has potentially been available "within the last week and a half."

Anderson's report was not the first time the idea of Hall being traded came up this offseason.

ESPN's Rich Cimini noted earlier this month that "Hall is among a handful of players up for a contract extension, most notably cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson—both drafted the same year as Hall. It will be difficult to keep them all long term."

New York already picked up the fifth-year options on Wilson's and Gardner's contracts, further underscoring how valuable the two playmakers are to the AFC East team. In fact, they might be the top two players on the roster and will surely be more of a priority than Hall when it comes to potential long-term deals.

Cimini also highlighted comments from new head coach Aaron Glenn when he said, "I think, mentally, [Hall] is in a good place, but I would say that we have three running backs on this team that we're going to utilize as much as possible. They're all big men, they can run, they're violent, they're physical."

Hall has just one season remaining on his deal and could be looking at a situation where he might split some carries with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis during that last year. 

RODGERS TO BREECE HALL. @nyjets take the lead!

📺: #NYJvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9YO7lGki4Y

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Perhaps getting something valuable in return with a trade before he potentially hits free agency would be the best way for the Jets to move forward, but Mougey's comments suggest that is not the path the front office will take ahead of the 2025 campaign.

When healthy, Hall is still one of the top players on the team.

He posted 1,359 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns last season after finishing with 1,585 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in 2023. While a career-worst 4.2 yards per carry last season may be of some concern, Hall's versatility makes him a valuable weapon in the offense.

And it seems like the Jets will keep that weapon this offseason.

Coming off a down year in 2024 and entering the final season of his rookie contract, Breece Hall's future with the New York Jets is a hot topic leading into the start of the NFL draft on Thursday night.

Per NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Jets have reportedly made Hall available via trade "within the last week and a half."

It hasn't been a secret that Hall's time in New York could be ending sooner than later. New head coach Aaron Glenn strongly indicated during a press conference earlier this month the team could opt for a committee approach at running back.

"I think, mentally, [Hall] is in a good place, but I would say that we have three running backs on this team that we're going to utilize as much as possible," Glenn said. "They're all big men, they can run, they're violent, they're physical."

There was briefly some buzz that Ashton Jeanty might be an option for the Jets if he's available at No. 7 overall, but ESPN's Rich Cimini noted the "sense" right now is they are going to go with a three-man backfield led by Hall.

Even if Jeanty were to be on the board when their turn comes up, the Jets have so many needs that a running back may not be the best use of their resources.

The Jets invested in two running backs during last year's draft. Braelon Allen was a fourth-round pick and Isaiah Davis was taken in the fifth round.

Davis was the most effective player from the trio on a per-touch basis. He averaged 6.4 yards per touch, but that was only on a combined 39 rushes and receptions.

Allen averaged just 3.6 yards per attempt, but his 51.1 percent success rate would have ranked ahead of Kyren Williams (50.9) and Aaron Jones (49.8) if he had enough carries to qualify for the NFL leaderboard.

Hall averaged career-lows in yards per carry (4.2), yards per touch (5.1) and yards per game (85.0) in 16 starts. He still led the team in yards from scrimmage (1,359) and total touchdowns (eight).

Another factor that could be at play for the Jets is the depth of running back talent in the draft, so perhaps they want to bring in another player on a rookie contract with a day two or three pick.

Of course, that's also a double-edged sword because teams interested in Hall may not be willing to give up much to acquire him, knowing they could draft someone with high-ceiling talent in the middle and later rounds.

A second-round pick in the 2022 draft, Hall is owed $3.4 million this season. He has been a productive all-around back with 2,333 rushing yards, 1,292 receiving yards and 22 total touchdowns in 40 games over the past three seasons.

The New York Jets are reportedly looking to upgrade their defense through this year's NFL Draft.

Per ESPN's Matt Miller, the Jets "were mentioned as a team that wants an impact defender" with the No. 7 pick. Miller added that New York "most importantly desires a culture-building leader."

Miller suggested that the defender the Jets seek could be Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, the No. 11 overall player on the final big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

Walker, who spent three seasons with the Bulldogs, recorded 61 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 2.5 passes defended in 2024.

Miller also said Penn State tight end Tyler Warren or Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron could be options for the Jets "based on what scouts are saying."

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department projects the Jets to take offensive tackle Armand Membou out of Missouri to get some added protection for new quarterback Justin Fields.

Who the Jets will end up with will be decided on Thursday, but they're hoping to get a player that can help shift things in the right direction after years of struggles.

Multiple NFL teams believe the New York Jets "could be open to trading back" from the No. 7 pick of the 2025 draft, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

First, however, the Jets would need to find a team interested in trading up. Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said earlier this month he expects to see fewer teams climbing the board "because the draft is pretty leveled out at a certain point," per NBC Sports' Mike Florio.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport then seconded Licht's analysis, writing on April 10 that he believes there are "not a lot of teams trying to move up."

ESPN's Peter Schrager reported that the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants have received offers regarding their top-three selections since the Tennessee Titans announced Tuesday they will be keeping the No. 1 pick.

As of Tuesday, neither the Browns nor Giants were "outwardly rejecting those overtures," according to Schrager. If both franchises decide to ultimately keep their picks, however, a team looking to trade up could potentially look for a selection farther down in the top 10.

The Jets are being led into the draft by general manager Darren Mougey, formerly assistant GM for the Denver Broncos, and head coach Aaron Glenn, formerly the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator.

The Broncos made pick trades in each of the last three drafts with Mougey in the front office, and Glenn is coming from a Lions organization that was in part shaped by trading up to draft key players like Jameson Williams and Terrion Arnold.

If those experiences lead Mougey and Glenn to seek a first-round trade on Thursday, they may have to wait for the Browns' and Giants' decisions before finding a partner for a potential deal.

The Jets currently hold eight picks, starting with No. 7 including the No. 42 and No. 73 selections, heading into this weekend in Green Bay.

The New York Jets added South Alabama WR Jamaal Pritchett as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.

Jamaal Pritchett is a quick-footed and dynamic receiving prospect. 

Pritchett is similar to a stick of dynamite—small but explosive. He generates big plays as a run-after-catch receiver.

Pritchett pressures defenses with his rapid foot turnover once he has the ball. He is a quick-twitch mover with good short-area quickness. He thrives on short/quick route concepts and manufactured touches. 

Whether as a punt returner or weapon in space offensively, Pritchett presses upfield and navigates traffic urgently. He swiftly evades incoming defenders and follows blocks to spring him into the open field. Pritchett has a strong feel for space and those around him; he keeps his head on a swivel. 

Unfortunately, Pritchett’s combination of height, weight and arm length will not entice many teams to draft him before Day 3. His quickness and speed are neutralized by physicality and contact. Long-armed corners are difficult for him to shed and get past in press alignment. 

Pritchett projects as a punt return specialist and ace in the NFL. That's his best chance to make a 53-man roster. 

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 5'8½"

WEIGHT: 170

HAND: 9¼"

ARM: 29¾"

WINGSPAN: 70½"

40-YARD DASH: 4.42

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: N/A

BROAD: 9'9"

POSITIVES

— Dynamic run-after-catch threat in the open field.

— Good in space with manufactured touches.

— Special teams value as a primary punt returner.

NEGATIVES

— Small frame and body type limits outside effectiveness in the NFL.

— Limited wingspan and arm length, nullifying his ability to win at the catch point.

— Play strength to fend off physical bump-and-run coverage.

NOTES

— Unranked recruit in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 First-Team All-Sun Belt

GRADE: 5.3 (Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential — UDFA)

OVERALL RANK: 323

POSITION RANK: WR49

PRO COMPARISON: Andy Isabella

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The New York Jets selected Georgia WR Arian Smith with the No. 110 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Arian Smith is the epitome of top-end speed.

Smith brings actual track-and-field-sprinter speed to the gridiron. He is accustomed to making big, explosive plays over the top of the defense.

Smith’s speed will force defenses to play with a safety over the top. The corner is likely burnt toast if Smith faces press alignment and wins in the contact window.

His speed should incentivize his offensive coordinator to design ways other than deep shots to get him the ball. If Smith is targeted on short routes, he will need a manufactured run lane post-catch so he can accelerate into the open field for a potential explosive yards-after-the-catch opportunity.

Smith is one of the most unreliable pass-catchers in this draft class. He drops passes at an alarming rate. There’s no confidence when the ball is heading in his direction. Smith drops uncontested catches that will make you scratch your head.

Smith's lack of strength at the catch point is no better. He is not going to bring down many highly contested catches. His route-running for a small, slender build is uninspiring. He doesn’t break with sharpness or maintain speed through the top of his routes.

Despite being a speed demon with immense success as a sprinter on the track, Smith is missing key components to be a consistent target in the NFL. His speed could be enticing to teams toward the back end of the draft to take a flyer on his elite, unteachable trait.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 179

HAND: 9"

ARM: 31¼"

WINGSPAN: 77"

40-YARD DASH: 4.36

3-CONE: 6.82

SHUTTLE: 4.19

VERTICAL: 38"

BROAD: 12'7"

POSITIVES

— Elite top-end speed to take the top off the defense.

— Dangerous manufactured-touch weapon in space.

— Ball-tracking on downfield targets.

NEGATIVES

— Unreliable hand-catcher with an alarming drop rate (17 percent in 2024)

— Inconsistent route-runner who does not maintain speed through his breaks.

— Play strength to make contested catches through contact.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 11, 2001

— 4-star recruit in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2021 Finished eighth in the 100 meters at the SEC Outdoors; Ran first leg in the school-record setting 4x100 meter relay;

GRADE: 5.6 (Backup/Draftable — 6th/7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 287

POSITION RANK: WR43

PRO COMPARISON: Kolby Listenbee

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The New York Jets selected Miami EDGE Tyler Baron with the No. 176 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

After spending four years at Tennessee before eventually making his way to Miami this past season, Tyler Baron is one of the older and more experienced edge defenders in this year's draft class.

That shows in his ability to play the run. He's consistently in the right spot and in a good position to take on blocks, especially against pullers, as either the force or spill player.

Baron also has impressive size and length, which help him set the edge when taking on blocks from tight ends. However, he plays with a sub-par pad level and lacks lower body strength to effectively anchor against offensive linemen who play with good leverage. That will result in him getting widened or washed inside in the ground game.

As a pass-rusher, the former Hurricane lacks the twitch to make offensive tackles miss consistently. But he does have decent cross-chop and hand-swipe moves to win around the edge and can play the hands. Also, while he's not super bendy, he has enough flexibility and takes good angles to have efficient paths to the quarterback.

Overall, Baron is a solid player who can be a serviceable backup in the NFL. His best role would be as a rotational defensive end in even fronts.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 258

HAND: 10"

ARM: 33⅛”

WINGSPAN: 80½”

40-YARD DASH: 4.62

3-CONE: 7.41

SHUTTLE: 4.53

VERTICAL: 35.5"

BROAD: 10'1"

POSITIVES

— Good size and frame for an NFL defensive end.

— Works the hands well as a pass-rusher.

— Solid hand-swipe and cross-chop moves that he can win with.

— Decent angles and bend when rushing the passer to take efficient paths to the quarterback.

— Good instincts as a run defender to put himself in position to take on blocks or get unblocked tackles near the line of scrimmage.

— Quick to get his hands up against the run and has good arm length and solid upper body strength to get extension and set the edge against tight ends.

NEGATIVES

— Not quick-twitched.

— Lacks explosion off the line of scrimmage to win with speed around the edge.

— Sub-par quickness and change of direction skills hurts his ability to turn speed to power.

— Needs to rush with a plan, doesn't show counter moves if his initial move doesn't work.

— Plays high and lacks lower body strength to anchor as a run defender against offensive linemen with good leverage.

— Older prospect, will be a 24-year-old rookie.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 22, 2001

— A 4-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2024 (Undisclosed, missed spring practice at Louisville)

— Played at Tennessee from 2020 to 2023, committed to Ole Miss out of the transfer portal originally, then flipped to Louisville and enrolled in the spring before transferring again to Miami ahead of summer camp

— 2024: Honorable Mention All-ACC

GRADE: 6.5 (Potential Role Player — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 168

POSITION RANK: EDGE19

PRO COMPARISON: Dawuane Smoot

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

The New York Jets selected Florida State CB Azareye'h Thomas with the No. 73 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Thomas is an intriguing cornerback prospect from Florida State who combines impressive length and size with promising physical tools. At 6'2" and 198 pounds, Thomas has the prototypical frame for an NFL cornerback, utilizing his long arms and body control to disrupt plays in coverage and compete in the run game. While still developing in some areas of his game, Thomas' physicality, ball skills, and athleticism make him a versatile option for teams seeking a boundary defender with upside.

Thomas' length and body control are standout traits in coverage, particularly when contesting passes. He can track the ball in flight, using his size and timing to break up passes at the catch point. His physicality allows him to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage and disrupt their timing. However, his press technique remains inconsistent, with occasional free releases that force him into recovery mode. Additionally, Thomas can be overly handsy when trailing in coverage, risking penalties at the next level. At the same time, he shows adequate speed when in phase; his ability to close ground and recover when out of position is less refined, limiting his effectiveness against quicker, more explosive receivers. His overall turnover production has also been lacking despite his ball skills.

Thomas brings a physical approach to the run game, where his willingness to trigger downhill and take on blocks stands out. He excels when close to the line of scrimmage, showcasing aggression and efficiency when blitzing or disrupting outside runs. His tackling mechanics are solid, with a tendency to wrap and secure ball carriers. However, Thomas' ability to maintain leverage is inconsistent, as he occasionally takes poor angles that allow runners to exploit gaps. Improving his awareness and reaction speed in run defense will be key for him to maximize his impact at the next level.

Azareye'h Thomas projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a starting outside cornerback in the NFL. Though he has shown decent man skills; his size, length, and physicality make him an appealing fit for press and zone-heavy schemes, where his ability to disrupt routes and contest passes will be maximized. While his technique and consistency in both the run and pass games need improvement, Thomas' athletic traits and competitive mentality provide a solid foundation for growth. With refinement, he has the potential to become a valuable contributor in an NFL secondary.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 197

HAND: 10"

ARM: 32⅜”

WINGSPAN: 78"

40-YARD DASH: 4.58

SHUTTLE: 4.21

BROAD: 10'2"

POSITIVES

— Athlete with long arms and a good frame. Uses his length well in both run and pass game.

— Shows very good body control for his size, with the ability to judge the ball's flight path and ball skills to display great timing through the catch point.

— Willing tackler who triggers quickly. Physical in the run game close to the line of scrimmage and is efficient as a blitzer.

NEGATIVES

— Too often takes poor angles when approaching ball-carriers, giving up his leverage leading to big plays.

— Allows free releases in press, while often looking to slingshot back into position.

— Has lacked turnover production over his career.

NOTES

— Born July 6, 2004

— Games Started: 13

— 4 Star recruit in the 2022 class, per 247Sports

GRADE: 7.6 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 42

POSITION RANK: CB6

PRO COMPARISON: Benjamin St.-Juste

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

While many expect the New York Jets to target an offensive addition with the No. 7 pick in Thursday's NFL draft, one expert feels that the team is looking at the other side of the ball.

During Monday's episode of The McShay Show, draft guru Todd McShay revealed that while the Jets have been linked to Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou, first-year head coach Aaron Glenn's defensive background could influence the team to go in a different direction.

"I think the Jets could be a surprise team," McShay said around the 32:00 mark. "I think Tyler Warren is in play, but I think this is Aaron Glenn, and I think this is a defense that's good and has talent, but they want to be exceptional. I think that they could go defense with this pick."

McShay went on to name Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker and Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron as potential targets for the Jets.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted in its mock draft that Membou would be New York's selection at No. 7. However, the team has multiple holes to fill on both sides of the ball as Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey try to rebuild the roster.

Depending on how the draft board plays out ahead of them, the Jets could simply pick the best player available when they're on the clock. New York will be picking from a talented group of prospects, so the team should choose the player who can make the biggest impact over the long run.