The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone. Free agency is, literally, around the corner.

But for the New York Jets and their fans, the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25) in Pittsburgh is the big enchilada, so to speak: 4 picks among the first 44 selections. That shakes out to Nos. 2 and 16 in the first round and Nos. 33 (the first selection in Round 2) and 44.

"That's the key ... four starters in the first 44 that would be my goal," ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller told team reporter Eric Allen on the "Now Boarding" series. "I mean, put it on a T-shirt. You got to find starters. You have to build up the infrastructure. Because is this the year the Jets find their quarterback of the future? Probably not. I don't know that that's this draft, but this can be the year that you build that team so that when you get the quarterback, they're ready to roll."

Beyond the 2026 draft, the Jets have stockpiled a trio of first-round picks in 2027. That draft could potentially include a handful of QBs (like Arch Manning of Texas, Dante Moore of Oregon and others) worthy of being called franchise players. The Raiders have the No. 1 overall selection, need a QB and are expected to take Fernando Mendoza.

"This should not be a quick-fix philosophy. It is something that should take time," Miller said, referring to the Jets. "So I do look at it and say, as much as I love Fernando Mendoza, and I'm rooting for him and think he's a good quarterback, I think having the picks this year and next year are incredibly valuable to where maybe you are looking at a two-draft rebuild. If you can hit on those four picks in the top 44 this year, then the three first rounders next year, while maintaining that flexibility to go up [in 2027] if you have to next year to get a Manning or Moore or someone else who maybe you know comes along over the next year."

He added: "The Jets and a lot of other teams are going to be in a position where you have that need, that clear cut need at the quarterback spot, but you're not going to be able to fill that void. And so, I think this becomes a draft where you try to set the table for that quarterback when you can get them. And maybe that's 2027."

As he works through the next 8 weeks or so toward his 16th NFL Draft, Miller took us through his mock draft encompassing the first round; plus his other observations and sleepers to keep an eye on.

No. 2 -- Looking for That Edge
After the recent trade of Jermaine Johnson to Tennessee and an expected change on defense to a 3-4, many believe the Jets will choose from one of three highly rated players: Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) or David Bailey (Texas Tech).

"I do think it comes down to one of those edge rushers, and it's almost daily, which one I would pick for you?" Miller said before the combine. "It's David Bailey's speed. It's Rueben Bain's power and with Arvell Reese, it's the flexibility positionally and the upside that he brings to the table."

Who has the highest ceiling?

"I think it's Arvell Reese," Miller said. "But he also has the lowest floor right now, and he's not coming in with a huge pass rush plan, because he hasn't done it full time, whereas these other guys have." He added: "I think the upside is the highest for him, but it is a gamble."

No. 16 -- A Complement to WR Garrett Wilson
In his recent mock draft, Miller had the Jets selecting USC's diminutive WR Makai Lemon (5-11, 192), the winner of the Biletnikoff Award. But there are other receiving targets who could be intriguing matches for the Green & White as well.

"I always go back to, let's build a basketball team at wide receiver," Miller said. "So, I think you do want some size, and you're going to get that more with [Washington's] Denzel Boston [6-4, 212]. You're going to get that more with Malachi Fields [6-4, 218] from Notre Dame.

"Those are the types of body types that I would look at to be the complement to the true route runner that Garrett Wilson has been."

Miller pointed out the depth at the position, which could yield quality in Rounds 2 or 3 via a player like Louisville's Chris Bell (6-2, 222). "He has speed. That's the type of player I would want opposite someone like Garrett Wilson."

Best Pure Players
Do the Jets draft for need? Or do they follow the conventional wisdom and draft "the best available" player, regardless of position.

Asked for his take on the best pure players in the draft he did not hesitate: Safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and running back Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

"Downs is a do-it-all safety," Miller said. "And I know he doesn't have the elite size [6-0, 206), but what he does have is elite processing ability. He's so smart, the football IQ is through the roof." He added: "He's been asked to do a lot of different things from the safety position. You can walk him up in the box, you can play [him] in single high you can play split safeties with him. I think his coverage ability to carry tight ends and receivers is really, really, really good. He's just a complete player."

Miller called Love "a home run hitter."

"He had a touchdown run of 98 yards and a touchdown run of 94 yards this year," he said. "It's a Notre Dame record to have multiple 90-plus-yard touchdown runs. He's a pretty good player, and I think he's just scratching the surface with what he can be as a receiver as well. You can get him in the slot. You can motion him, wheels out of the backfield, screen games are going to be huge for him, but then he has the lower body power at 6-0, 212 to run through players. He can run through that traffic."

Finally, Pick No. 33
Miller calls the Jets' selection at the top of Round 2 "one of the most valuable picks in the draft."

"You're either getting a player that fell through the cracks, or you're taking calls all day Friday, because people come up to get that pick, and we see it every year, right?" Miller said. "There's no way this guy should have still been on the board, or you take calls all day and you can sell that 33rd pick for a ransom."