Jets trade up to pick Jordan Travis as potential QB of future in fifth round of NFL draft
On the third day of the draft, the Jets took a swing on a quarterback.
The team selected Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis with pick No. 171 after making a trade with the Eagles to move up.
Travis is an intriguing developmental player for the Jets.
He was a four-year starter for the Seminoles before his career ended with a broken leg last season.
“It’s a freaking dream come true,” an emotional Travis said. “It still hasn’t hit me yet. My emotions are kind of everywhere right now. Just to see the joy on my family’s face, man. It’s been such a journey and to get where we are today is just such a blessing. I’m looking forward to getting ready to work, learn from those guys ahead of me and meet my teammates. That’s the most important thing first.”
Travis is No. 1 in FSU history in total offense (10,665 yards) and total touchdowns (99).
He is a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his legs as well as his arm.
The Jets are not looking for a quarterback to play immediately.
Travis will be able to sit and watch behind veterans Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor and the Jets can hope he develops down the line.
“I can’t wait to meet Aaron and Tyrod and just pick their brains every single day, see how they treat their teammates, how they carry themselves off the field, on the field and just learn. I freaking can’t wait,” Travis said.
The Jets traded picks 185 and 190 in the sixth round to move up to pick 171 and take Travis.
“Jordan’s a dynamic player,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said. “It was obviously a tough injury for him and the team last year. Dynamic player, he came on a 30 visit and just getting a chance to spend time with him, getting to know him as a person, he’s a special guy. You can see why teammates gravitate toward him and why he’s one of the more respected guys when you talk to other players at Florida State.”
This is the first time the Jets have selected a quarterback since taking Zach Wilson with the No. 2-overall pick in 2021.
The selection of Travis was the highlight of a Day 3 that featured four trades of draft picks by Douglas and another trade of a player — defensive end John Franklin-Myers.
In all, Douglas made seven trades during this draft.
The Jets drafted five straight offensive players to begin this draft before ending it with two defensive players.
Douglas opened the day by trading down three times before taking Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen.
The Jets began the day with three fourth-round picks.
They traded pick No. 111 to the Packers in exchange for picks No. 126 (fourth round) and No. 190 (sixth round). Douglas then sent pick No. 126 to the Lions in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick.
He then traded pick No. 129 to the 49ers in exchange for two fifth-round picks this year (picks No. 173 and No. 176).
Douglas later traded up to get Travis.
The quarterback was having a monster season for the Seminoles, with 20 touchdowns and two interceptions, before breaking his leg in November.
“It’s been a grind but I love it,” Travis said of rehabbing the injury. “I love this type of stuff. I love having to wake up every single day and make a decision, make a choice who I’m going to be every single day. I just love the work and I love seeing improvement every single day.”
Travis said he is not sure exactly when he will be back on the field, but he described the player the Jets are getting.
“A playmaker,” he said. “I’d say that’s the main thing. I make plays when everything breaks down. I’m just a baller. I’m a competitor. Every single time I get on the field I want to dominate the guy across from me. And a winner. That’s the main thing for me. Throughout my career, I fell in love with winning so much. I hate losing, so I’ll do everything in my power to win.”
The Jets also drafted South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis and cornerback Qwan’Tez Stiggers, both in the fifth round.
They drafted Alabama safety Jaylen Key with the final pick of the draft in the seventh round.
