Jets turned down this surprising trade offer from the Rams 2024 NFL Draft

According to Fitzgerald-Spielberger’s NFL Draft trade value chart, the package offered by Rams general manager Les Snead would have been worth more (2,506 total points) than the 10th overall pick (1,833 points), which which makes it a big “win” for the Jets.

However, the Jets also would have sacrificed nine blue-chip talent spots, a proposition that isn’t easy to swallow in the first round.

Instead, general manager Joe Douglas opted to deal with the Vikings, losing a first-round spot and receiving a fourth- and fifth-rounder for a sixth-round selection.

The same trade value chart deemed this move just as favorable for the Jets, who earned a value of 620 points.

Subsequently, Douglas selected Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11, strengthening the team’s offensive line to protect Aaron Rodgers.

With the Saints and Bengals all selecting before pick 19, Fashanu likely wouldn’t have fallen to No. 19, which would only have further thwarted the Jets’ plan.

Had the Rams managed to move up nine spots in the first round, rumors swirled that they were intrigued by Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, even though a tackle like Fashanu was also in play.

Los Angeles ultimately selected Florida State favorite Jared Verse at 19th overall.

The Jets themselves were also considered a top destination for two-time Mackey Award winner Bowers, but he fell to the Raiders, who surprisingly nabbed him at 13th overall.

The first round of the draft in late April didn’t feature as many trades as expected, with no trades occurring prior to the Jets’ trade to Minnesota.

The 2024 NFL Draft was Douglas’ first time back in the first round since taking over as general manager in 2019.