It has been over a week since the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft and that means rookie minicamps are here which signals rookie numbers being released. Despite these numbers potentially changing before the regular season kicks off in September it is still exciting to see each draft pick in their new threads for the first time. For the New York Jets, rookie minicamp was this weekend and Jets fans got their first look at the 2024 draft class.
Today, let’s look at each of the Jets’ seven draft picks’ numbers and the history behind each.
New York Jets Release Rookie Numbers
Braelon Allen: 0
The nickname ‘Agent 0’ that Braelon Allen has gone by since his college days at Wisconsin will continue in The Big Apple. The fourth-round pick is just 20 years old, the youngest in the 2024 class. Allen gives New York exactly what they need, a third-down back who can step up in short-yardage situations behind Breece Hall. Since 2021, Allen’s 1,493 rush yards up the middle ranked second best in the FBS only behind Blake Corum who was selected in round three.
The number zero probably won’t ring a bell for many Jets fans and it shouldn’t. Only one player in franchise history has worn zero and that was safety Adrian Amos who wore it for 11 games last season before getting cut and signing with the Houston Texans for the remainder of the 2023 campaign. This means, Allen will be just the second Jet in history and the first running back to rep zero.
Jordan Travis: 3
After wearing six with Louisville and then 13 with Florida State, Jordan Travis has gone back to signal digits dawning the number three. Travis a fifth-round pick, will have a great opportunity to sit behind both Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor which will be invaluable for him. Before his injury in 2023, Travis completed 63.9% of his passes for 2,756 yards and 20 touchdowns while committing just two interceptions.
Travis will become the 14th Jet to wear number three. The first Jet to do so was kicker Bobby Howfield who wore it from 1971-1974. The most recent came in the last two seasons when safety Jordan Whitehead wore it during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Whitehead has since returned to Tampa Bay where he signed a two-year deal in March. Travis will also become just the fourth quarterback in history to wear the number.
Malachi Corley: 17
Malachi Corley will enter his rookie season as arguably the most hyped-up prospect amongst Jets fans. The ‘YAC King’ entered the draft as one of the most intriguing and exciting wide receiver prospects drawing comparisons to Deebo Samuel. During his four-year collegiate career, Corley hauled in 259 receptions for 3,035 yards and 29 touchdowns. Most importantly and what has earned him the nickname ‘YAC King’ is his 2,068 yards after the catch since 2021 which led all of college football during that time.
Corley will enter good company wearing 17 as the most recent Jet to do so will be playing alongside him in Garrett Wilson. During Wilson’s first two seasons repping 17, he hauled in 178 receptions for 2,145 yards and seven touchdowns. Wilson will return to number five which he wore in college. Another successful Jet wideout who who wore 17 was Braylon Edwards who wore the number during his two stints in New York. Overall, Corley will become the 18th Jet all-time to wear 17 and will join pretty good company.
Isaiah Davis: 32
Taking Isaiah Davis one round after selecting Braelon Allen caught many Jets fans by surprise. New York will now enter Training Camp with plenty of competition behind Breece Hall. Whether or not Davis plays a big role in New York in a loaded running back room his college numbers are extremely impressive. In 2o23, Davis rushed for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns both of which led the FCS. On top of that, in his collegiate career, Davis rushed 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns. With the new kickoff rules in 2024, Davis could also be a name to watch on special teams.
The number 32 has seen a lot of use over the last four seasons and that will continue in 2024. In 2020, Ashtyn Davis wore the number during his rookie year before changing to 21 which he has worn ever since. After Davis switched, Michael Carter who was selected in 2021 wore it for two and half seasons before being released during the 2023 campaign. However, the most notable name to rock 32 in Gang Green was Emerson Boozer who spent his entire ten-year career with the Jets. Boozer was a part of New York’s 1969 Super Bowl Championship team and now resides in the Jets Ring of Honor. Davis will become the 17th Jet to wear 32.
Jaylen Key: 33
New York’s second Mr. Irrelevant selection in franchise history and the second Alabama player to be Mr. Irrelevant will wear number 33. Jaylen Key spent five seasons in college football, four coming at UAB and one coming with Alabama under Nick Saban in 2023. During his lone season at Bama, Key logged 60 tackles, one pass defended, and one interception.
Number 33 should ring a bell for Jets fans, especially in the safety position. One of the most notable recent Jets to wear 33 was Jamal Adams who wore the number during his three seasons in New York before being dealt to the Seattle Seahawks. Other players to wear the number have included Chris Ivory, Dalvin Cook, and Elijah Riley. In total, 19 Jets have worn 33 making Key the 20th.
Qwan’tez Stiggers: 37
Joe Douglas and the New York Jets made history when they selected Qwan’tez Stiggers in the fifth round. With this selection, Stiggers became the first CFL player to be taken in the NFL Draft. It hasn’t been an easy path but his story to get to where he is now is a special one. He will have a chance to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. In 2023, Stiggers took home the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award when he tallied 56 tackles and five interceptions in 16 games.
Stiggers will have to look to make his impact wearing 37 as it doesn’t have a rich history among the Jets franchise. It was first worn in 1966 by Allen Smith who only played one game with Gang Green. Most recently, 2020 fifth-round pick Bryce Hall wore 37 during his four seasons in New York. In March, Hall signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stiggers will become the 21st player in Jets history to wear 37.
Olu Fashanu: 74
Last but certainly not least is New York’s first-round selection, left tackle Olu Fashanu. After trading back one spot with the Minnesota Vikings, Douglas went with the safe selection in Fashanu at pick eleven. In his college career, Fashanu allowed just one sack in 1,304 total snaps played. He also allowed just a 1.1% pressure rate during his career at Penn State.
An offensive lineman wearing 74 for the New York Jets? That sounds good if you’re a Jets fan because the last player to wear 74 with Gang Green was Jets legend, Nick Mangold. Mangold spent his entire eleven-year career in The Big Apple and is now a member of the Jets Ring of Honor. Along with Mangold, another all-time Jet who wore 74 was Abdul Salaam, who was a member of the New York Sack Exchange. Similar to Mangold, Salaam also spent his entire NFL career with the Jets. When week one rolls around, Fashanu will become the 19th Jet to wear 74.
Main Image; Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
