The NFL Draft has already begun and the premier sides in the NFL are looking to bolster their squads ahead of next season.
Round 1 proved frenetic with a record six quarterbacks being chosen in the first 12 picks as sides look to find their own version of Patrick Mahomes.
Thursday’s first round of the draft in Detroit was attended by an estimated total of 250,000 people. But the NFL is a global sport now and Ireland will play its own role in the draft in the early hours of Saturday morning.
This is wild. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/vpelH2vJsX
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2024
New York Jets to make NFL Draft pick in Dublin
2024, of course, has been the year that Ireland found its place on the NFL map with Down GAA kicker joining the New Orleans Saints and three other Irishmen entering the NFL’s International Pathway Programme.
NFL franchises are also looking to deepen their footprint in Ireland.
It was announced in late March that the Jets will follow the Pittsburgh Steelers into the Irish market through the NFL’s ‘Global Market Program’.
The franchise wears its famous green and white colours as their former owner Sonny Werblin was born on St Patrick’s Day.
They are wasting little time in building their NFL brand on these shores – revealing their plan to make their draft pick live from the Irish capital on Saturday, April 27.
Irish Rugby Sevens star Greg O’Shea – who also works as a host on Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock Show – will reveal their third round selection late tonight from Dublin.
O’Shea will make the 72nd selection in the NFL draft tonight from Dublin. It’ll be the Jets second pick of the draft.
The New York Jets have not won a Super Bowl since 1969 are keen to put things right.
That second pick will take place in round three, having already acquired Ola Fashunu – an offensive tackle – with the 11th first round pick from Penn State.
Unlike most of their rivals, the Jets have little concern over the calibre of their quarter-back Aaron Rodgers, who signed last season but tore his achilles before he could show his well-documented quality.
The veteran – who steered Green Bay Packers to the Vince Lombardi Trophy 2010 – seemed pleased in welcoming Fashunu to his side.
Awesome moment ❤️. Welcome @olu_fashanu 🛩️ # https://t.co/DtufWmSWGE
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) April 26, 2024
The franchise is also planning other activities in the future such as watch parties to broaden its current fanbase in Ireland.
One of the Jets’ Irish admirers is soccer legend Roy Keane – who attended their season opener last September.