The Jets currently have the No. 2 & No. 16 picks in the 2026 draft. Below is a compilation of mock drafts. The views expressed are not representative of any Jets personnel.
No. 2: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"I think this is the surest bet for future stardom in this draft. There's a handful of other guys with really high ceilings; Reese not only has a sky-high ceiling but an extremely high floor, too. At 6-4 and 241 pounds, Reese (who turns 21 in August) overtook teammate Caleb Downs as the biggest star of the Buckeyes' terrific defense in 2025. By mid-September, rival Big Ten coaches were raving about Reese's ability to menace their offensive game plans. He's rangy. He's explosive — he ran a 4.46 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine — and he strikes violently on the field with elite knock-back. His stats might not have been eye-popping (69 tackles, 6.5 sacks), but his film is."
No. 16: WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State
"The Jets could also go with Omar Cooper Jr. or Denzel Boston here, but pencil them in for the star who made more than his share of spectacular plays as the Sun Devils went from being a mess to the Playoff in 2024. Tyson won Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year after catching 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 TDs, but he did miss the Big 12 title game and the CFP quarterfinals due to a broken collarbone."
No. 2: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"I have the Jets opting for the upside of Reese over the proven production of Texas Tech's David Bailey. Reese has double-digit sack potential in the NFL and can be a versatile player for coach Aaron Glenn."
No. 16: WR Omar Cooper Jr. – Indiana
"Cooper solidified his status as a first-round pick with a breakout 2025 season that included 13 receiving touchdowns, an average of 7.3 yards after catch and numerous clutch plays. He would pair well with Garrett Wilson."
No. 33: QB Ty Simpson – Alabama
"There isn't as much risk in taking Simpson -- who had just 15 career starts, all in 2025 -- in Round 2. The Jets can roll Geno Smith out and let Simpson develop a bit. I like his pocket presence and accuracy, but he will need some time."
No. 44: QB Chris Johnson – San Diego State
"The Jets can continue to check off needs with their four top-50 picks, taking a cornerback after trading away Sauce Gardner last season. Johnson blazed a 4.40-second 40 at the combine."
No. 2: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"The Jets were active in bringing in vet after vet to shore up their defense. They now drop in an explosive weapon in Reese to continue to reinvent this side of the ball. Reese's best spot will likely be on the line of scrimmage, where he flashes as a high-end pass rusher and already shows the ability to hold the edge in the run game. His versatility to play off-ball is a bonus if the Jets want to get creative in getting all of their pass rushers on the field."
No. 16: OL Olaivavega Ioane – Penn State
"After losing John Simpson and former first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency, the Jets look to reinforce their offensive line with another first-round selection. Ioane has good size and is comfortable in space. He showed off good awareness as a player this past season, which is encouraging for him to hit the field early in the pros. The Jets could go in a few directions with this pick, but I think they defer to the trenches (again) here."
No. 2: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"I've gone back and forth on how the Jets may view this selection. Would Aaron Glenn want a player seen as more of a finished product (David Bailey) or one with more upside (Arvell Reese)? Some of the signings in free agency take the pressure off Reese contributing immediately, which makes the upside play easier to justify."
No. 16: WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State
"Stocking the receiver room with players who have battled injuries is a precarious form of roster-building, but Jordyn Tyson is a top-10 prospect in this class, in my opinion. If the Jets can keep him healthy, they will have an elite, flexible unit."
No. 33: DL Kayden McDonald – Ohio State
No. 44: CB Brandon Cisse – South Carolina
