New York Jets officially sign six rookies
Six of the New York Jets 2024 draft selections are officially under contract.
On Monday, the team officially signed first-round draft pick Olu Fashanu to his rookie deal. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the agreement is a four-year, $20.510 million guaranteed contract with a fifth-year option.
The Jets and first OT Olu Fashanu have agreed to his four-year, $20.510M fully guaranteed rookie contract with a fifth-year team option.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 13, 2024
OFFICIAL: @olu_fashanu is a New York JET ✈
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 13, 2024
Additionally, the team signed running back Braelon Allen to his rookie deal. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the contract is the slotted amount of $4.5 million over four years.
The Jets have signed fourth-round RB Braelon Allen, the team announced. It’s a four-year contract for about $4.5 million, the slotted amount. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 13, 2024
Quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Isaiah Davis, and cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers, who were the team’s three fifth-round selections, all signed deals for four years and about $4.3 million.
The Jets have signed QB Jordan Travis, the first of their three fifth-round picks. The former Florida State star gets a four-year contract for about $4.3 million. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 13, 2024
And now RB Isaiah Davis, the second of three picks in the fifth round, has signed his rookie contract — four years, about $4.3 million. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 13, 2024
And yet another #Jets draft pick has signed — CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, the last of three picks in the fifth round. It’s four years for about $4.3M for a player with no college experience and one year in the CFL.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 13, 2024
Safety Jaylen Key, who was 2024’s Mr. Irrelevant, signed his four-year deal for $4.1 million.
Mr. Irrelevant is official: Seventh-round S Jaylen Key has signed his rookie deal — four years about $4.1 million. It leaves third-round WR Malachi Corley as the only unsigned pick. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 13, 2024
Unlike in recent years, the Jets seem to be moving quickly in signing their draft selections. There have been no reports of holdouts over guarantees or “offset language,” phrases with which fans and those covering the team are all too familiar. They have signed six of their seven draft selections before the start of OTAs, with wide receiver Malachi Corley being the only player yet to sign.
Instead of dragging things out, New York looks to be keeping “the main thing the main thing.” Essentially, the Jets are shifting away from dealing with unnecessary situations with their youngest players.
Fashanu is arguably one of the most critical players on the roster, as he will provide critical offensive tackle depth in 2024 and is the potential left tackle of the team’s foreseeable future. Travis is an important development option at quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. Allen and Davis are key to establishing the team’s physical offensive identity. Stiggers should provide cornerback and special teams depth while he could develop into a starting option. Key hopes to do the same at safety.
From an organizational perspective, wasting time on contract talks only gives room for distractions. By getting the deals done quickly, the newly-drafted Jets can immediately get to work and make the most significant impact possible.
