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: Edge Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"A quarterback is unlikely at this juncture for the Jets, who have a myriad of needs to address in this draft and the next, when they are flush with picks. Only the 49ers finished with fewer sacks than the Jets in 2025, so Reese could bring New York's defense significant pass-rush upside and versatility. After playing mostly inside linebacker at Ohio State prior to last season, Reese kicked out to a primary edge role in 2025 and posted 6.5 sacks. Only Will McDonald IV had a higher sack total (8) among Jets players last season. Reese has great length, a quick first step and smooth athletic movements to bend the edge around opposing tackles."
No. 16: DT Caleb Banks – Florida
"Quarterback was once again a consideration for the Jets, but they can afford to be patient with three first-round picks in 2027. The extremely talented Banks could pair with Reese and solidify their defensive cornerstones moving forward. Banks was limited to just three games this past season due to injury, but he showcased his upside during a dominant week of practice at the Senior Bowl. At 6-foot-6, 330 pounds with 35-inch arms, his overwhelming size should translate to the NFL level. He could become a top-10 player from this class with the proper development."
No. 2: Edge Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"The Jets need to be in "best player available" mode until further notice. In no way is this team ready to put the franchise on the back of a rookie quarterback, at least not without first providing him more help. New York could take a QB this year, just perhaps not this early."
No. 16: OT Caleb Lomu – Utah
"Utah's other big, athletic tackle prospect, Lomu plays with extremely quick hands and feet. Like Fano, he can be an asset in the stretch or screen games. He's also athletic enough to play multiple spots up front, if need be."
No. 33: QB Trinidad Chambliss – Ole Miss
"Plenty have asked why Chambliss, a legit NFL Draft prospect for 2026, fought the NCAA so hard for another year of college eligibility. Part of the answer: because he's good enough that he potentially could have been in the 2027 draft's QB1 mix. He might not be ready just yet, but the team that takes him will be hoping he becomes this year's Jaxson Dart."
No. 44: CB Keith Abney II – Arizona State
No. 2: Edge Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami
"The Jets would love a quarterback good enough to take here, but there isn't one. So this is a smart time to go best player available, which very well could be Bain. He doesn't have prototypical build, but he has incredible athleticism and skill to be an impact defensive end in the NFL from Day 1."
No. 16: WR Jordon Tyson – Arizona State
"This could be a steal here for the Jets and new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who get to add another high-upside, high-floor prospect here in Tyson. Figuring out who will be throwing them the ball next season is a different story, but Tyson and Garrett Wilson is a good one-two punch for somebody."
No. 2: Edge Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"The draft suddenly gets interesting at No. 2. The Jets have a big quarterback need, and they could use Ty Simpson. But this roster needs a lot of help after trading away all its stars. So, the Jets take quite possibly the best player in the draft. Reese is a versatile defender. I think he's best when he's on the ball — he's explosive, flexible and can bend. All of those things are going to pay off in a big way for Reese at the next level. He reminds me so much of Micah Parsons, who flashed some of his pass-rushing ability in college before majoring as a pass rusher in the NFL. Reese can blitz up the middle and can tackle, too."
No. 16: CB Colton Hood – Tennessee
"I don't think it makes a ton of sense for the Jets to take a swing at wide receiver here, and we still don't know who their quarterback will be. They've got so many holes to address and I think they might be smart to wait until next offseason to be aggressive in getting a quarterback. But this was the first team in NFL history to not get an interception in a season. So, they need someone who can help in the secondary. Hood's a really good player."
No. 2: Edge Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"Reese is the NFL version of a lottery pick. He's got all the traits to be an elite pass rusher, but he's yet to actually deliver. With the success of similar off-ball to edge converts in recent years like Micah Parsons, Jalon Walker and Abdul Carter, the Jets may bet on the upside. Reese is a decidedly different type of off-ball linebacker than those three, with his length and strength serving as his calling cards, but there's still plenty of reason to believe those traits will translate off the edge."
No. 16: WR Makai Lemon – USC
"The Jets find their slot receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. While they still need to sort out the quarterback position, this pick would give whoever is under center one of the best supporting casts in the NFL. Lemon is incredibly reliable, with his limited frame serving as the only real knock."
See the action going on in Mobile, Alabama with the best photos from the 2026 Senior Bowl game.
National Team safety Deshon Singleton (29), of Nebraska, celebrates with teammates after an interception during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) of LSU, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Diego Pavia (2), of Vanderbilt, throws a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Markel Bell (70), of Miami, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team safety Kamari Ramsey (27), of USC, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Taylen Green (10), of Arkansas, throws a pass during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (12), of Missouri, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Ja'kobi Lane (89), of USC, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive tackle Tim Keenan III (96), of Alabama, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team running back Mike Washington Jr. (27), of Arkansas, carries the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team tight end John Michael Gyllenborg (84), of Wyoming, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Devin Voisin (5), of South Alabama, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover (78), of Texas A M, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team linebacker Bryce Boettcher (46), of Oregon, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) of LSU, throws a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team running back Jaydn Ott (8), of Oklahoma, carries the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman James Brockermeyer (72), of Miami, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Sawyer Robertson (12), of Baylor, throws a pass during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Cole Payton (9), of North Dakota State, drops back to pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Jude Bowry (71), of Boston College, during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team safety Michael Taaffe (16), of Texas, during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Luke Altmyer (9), of Illinois, throws a pass during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Diego Pavia (2), of Vanderbilt, throws a pass during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive end Derrick Moore (8), of Michigan, during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright (77), of Auburn, during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Taylen Green (10), of Arkansas, carries the ball during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team running back Seth McGowan (32), of Kentucky, carries the ball during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team safety Deshon Singleton (29), of Nebraska, celebrates after an interception during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team tight end Will Kacmarek (87), of Ohio State, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team kicker William Ferrin (14), of Brigham Young, kicks a field goal while punter Brett Thorson (6), of Georgia, holds during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
