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From the ground up.
Every plane wants to take flight, but not before they are ready. Unlike with a car, there is a safety check involved before the pilot can head to the skies. After all, there's no spot to pull over if things get a little dicey up in the air.
When we look at the 2026 New York Jets, it's clear they are in that pre-flight stage. Aaron Glenn's crew is still making sure the pieces are in place before they can embark on the journey to becoming a contender. Of course, New York would be happy to just be a playoff contender, since the Jets own the league's longest playoff drought at 15 seasons and counting.
That's where the 2026 NFL Draft comes in.
JETS 7-ROUND MOCK DRAFT: New York picks Arvell Reese, potential QB of the future
Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are armed with eight selections in the first two rounds between the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. It's a chance to completely reshape a roster that has been among the worst the league had to offer for years.
They won't have the opportunity to draft a quarterback at the top of the draft after a 3-14 season, but there are avenues to improve Gang Green's talent around the future signal caller.
Here's what to know about the Jets' picks, needs and a mock draft for New York ahead of the big event.
The Jets have nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
2026 NFL Draft position rankings: David Bailey tops list of best Edge prospects
This section will be updated after the Jets make their first selection.
The Jets got the No. 2 pick in a draft that features just one quarterback projected to be taken in the top-five. That's just how it seems to go for this franchise, who will likely punt the decision to the 2027 NFL Draft. For now, Geno Smith is set to lead the team in the immediate future, but don't rule out the idea of drafting a project after the first round wraps up. Penn State's Drew Allar fits the mold of a quarterback the Jets could look to develop. As NFL history shows us, the best quarterbacks aren't always drafted highly.
Not only do the Jets need a quarterback, but they also need someone to get after the quarterback. It's the type of blank slate that can be exciting for Mougey and Co., who just traded Jermaine Johnson this offseason. Expect Arvell Reese or David Bailey to be the pick at No. 2.
Garrett Wilson can't do it alone. He was injured for most of the 2025 season and no receiver posted 400 yards. It's a mind-boggling stat and one the Jets will be eager to erase next season. It starts with getting another dynamic playmaker in the passing attack.
Here's what the Jets could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly's seven-round mock draft:
* Projected trade with Seattle Seahawks.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jets NFL draft tracker 2026: Full list of picks, live grades
Continue reading...
Every plane wants to take flight, but not before they are ready. Unlike with a car, there is a safety check involved before the pilot can head to the skies. After all, there's no spot to pull over if things get a little dicey up in the air.
When we look at the 2026 New York Jets, it's clear they are in that pre-flight stage. Aaron Glenn's crew is still making sure the pieces are in place before they can embark on the journey to becoming a contender. Of course, New York would be happy to just be a playoff contender, since the Jets own the league's longest playoff drought at 15 seasons and counting.
That's where the 2026 NFL Draft comes in.
JETS 7-ROUND MOCK DRAFT: New York picks Arvell Reese, potential QB of the future
Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are armed with eight selections in the first two rounds between the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. It's a chance to completely reshape a roster that has been among the worst the league had to offer for years.
They won't have the opportunity to draft a quarterback at the top of the draft after a 3-14 season, but there are avenues to improve Gang Green's talent around the future signal caller.
Here's what to know about the Jets' picks, needs and a mock draft for New York ahead of the big event.
Jets 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Jets have nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
- Round 1, Pick 2
- Round 1, Pick 16 (from Colts)
- Round 2, Pick 33
- Round 2, Pick 44 (from Cowboys)
- Round 4, Pick 103
- Round 4, Pick 140 (compensatory selection)
- Round 5, Pick 179 (compensatory selection)
- Round 7, Pick 228 (from Cowboys through Bills and Raiders)
- Round 7, Pick 242 (from Bills through Browns)
2026 NFL Draft position rankings: David Bailey tops list of best Edge prospects
Jets NFL draft grades
This section will be updated after the Jets make their first selection.
Jets 2026 NFL Draft needs
Quarterback
The Jets got the No. 2 pick in a draft that features just one quarterback projected to be taken in the top-five. That's just how it seems to go for this franchise, who will likely punt the decision to the 2027 NFL Draft. For now, Geno Smith is set to lead the team in the immediate future, but don't rule out the idea of drafting a project after the first round wraps up. Penn State's Drew Allar fits the mold of a quarterback the Jets could look to develop. As NFL history shows us, the best quarterbacks aren't always drafted highly.
Edge
Not only do the Jets need a quarterback, but they also need someone to get after the quarterback. It's the type of blank slate that can be exciting for Mougey and Co., who just traded Jermaine Johnson this offseason. Expect Arvell Reese or David Bailey to be the pick at No. 2.
Wide receiver
Garrett Wilson can't do it alone. He was injured for most of the 2025 season and no receiver posted 400 yards. It's a mind-boggling stat and one the Jets will be eager to erase next season. It starts with getting another dynamic playmaker in the passing attack.
Jets 2026 NFL mock draft
Here's what the Jets could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly's seven-round mock draft:
- Round 1, Pick 2: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
- It came down to Bailey or Arvell Reese. Bailey provides a more immediate answer to the need for an improved pass rush. He was one of the most productive edge rushers in college football in 2026 and would complement the additions the defense made in free agency to shore up its run defense.
- Round 1, Pick 16: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
- New York goes offense with their second pick in the first round with the big-bodied Boston. The Washington wide receiver excels on dig routes and is a physical receiver on the outside. He should pair well with Garrett Wilson to improve the passing attack for Geno Smith in 2026 and whoever plays quarterback for the team in 2027.
- Round 1, Pick 32*: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
- New York has a new staff under Aaron Glenn in year two of his regime and the pressure is on to win. Geno Smith is hopefully a reliable veteran starter but he's entering his age-36 season. Simpson comes at a slight premium with the move up to No. 32 overall and offers insurance for Glenn. If Smith doesn't pan out, Simpson could be an option to extend his time in New York. If Smith works, Simpson is the successor, much like Jordan Love in Green Bay. If neither works, the Jets are likely changing the regime again anyway and picking early in 2027.
- Round 2, Pick 44: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
- New York gets a potential linebacker of the future as ageless wonder DeMario Davis reaches his late-30s. Allen is the next-best off-linebacker in the class after the Buckeyes duo. He’s a bit smaller than them but a true sideline-to-sideline defender at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds.
- Round 4, Pick 103: TE Jack Endries, Texas
- Round 5, Pick 179: CB Thaddeus Dixon, North Carolina
- Round 7, Pick 228: S Jalen Huskey, Maryland
- Round 7, Pick 242: CB Marcus Allen, North Carolina
* Projected trade with Seattle Seahawks.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jets NFL draft tracker 2026: Full list of picks, live grades
Continue reading...
