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: S Caleb Downs – Ohio State
"This would be the highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Turner went No. 2 in 1991. Downs is worthy, though. He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense's ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets' defense didn't have a single INT in 2025 -- yes, you read that right -- and only the Cowboys gave up more points (29.6 per game). Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency."
No. 16: DT Peter Woods - Clemson
"The Jets are back on the clock, and after I handed them a difference-making safety in Caleb Downs earlier, I'll go with a Quinnen Williams replacement this time around. Three Jets defensive tackles are hitting free agency, and they've lacked a real impact player in the middle of the D-line since trading Williams at the deadline. Woods didn't have elite production in 2025, but the tape was still really good. He has the power to be a force at 3-technique for New York."
No. 2: Edge Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"Ohio State's Reese is a nice piece for a franchise with plenty of holes to fill, offering the versatility to play in the box as well as rush off the edge. He brings elite twitch and instincts, along with the size and length to hold up in multiple spots across the defense. Reese is extremely athletic as a part-time rusher and can convert speed to power while using a strong long arm. The Jets need pass rushers, and Reese gives them a bookend opposite Will McDonald IV. If he goes this high, his long-term projection is likely on the edge. His pass-rushing capabilities carry a high ceiling with more reps and time on task."
No. 16: DL Lee Hunter – Texas Tech
"If the Jets can't land a quarterback, they'll look to upgrade their defensive front, and Hunter would fit well as a 2i in their scheme. He was a massive upgrade up front for the Red Raiders, taking on doubles and letting their linebackers roam and make plays. He shows good lateral movement and quickness on stunts and games, along with the ability to crush the pocket as a rusher. Hunter is an effective pass rusher who finished with a couple sacks and 19 hurries."
No. 2: Edge Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami (FL)
"The Jets reset their defensive line with Rueben Bain Jr., who racked up an FBS-high 83 pressures while offering enough strength and versatility to key Miami's run defense. Bain would immediately change the complexion of New York's defensive front on all downs."
No. 16: WR Makai Lemon – USC
"With their second pick, the Jets address their offense by drafting Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon. Lemon led the FBS with a 91.4 PFF receiving grade while placing among the top 10 qualifiers in yards per route run and missed tackles forced in 2025. Jets wide receivers ranked 22nd or worse in all three of those categories in 2025."
No. 33: S A.J. Haulcy – LSU
No. 44: LB Anthony Hill Jr. – Texas
No. 2: Edge Arvell Reese – Ohio State
"The Jets need playmakers across the board on defense. In case you haven't heard, they set NFL records for fewest turnovers (four) and interceptions (zero) in a season. Reese can't solve all of that, but he has Micah Parsons-esque potential as a college off-ball linebacker with the skills to be a dominant pass rusher. His ability to play at multiple spots would make him a fun chess piece for Aaron Glenn to deploy as he returns to calling plays on that side of the ball. If there was a quarterback worth taking here, the Jets would do it — but unfortunately, there isn't."
No. 16: WR Denzel Boston – Washington
"GM Darren Mougey worked the phones looking both to trade up and trade back and either accumulate assets or add a quarterback of the Tanner McKee/Mac Jones ilk. There were bites — especially since the Jets aren't quite ready to dip into their stock of 2027 draft picks. The Jets hoped for one of Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson to fall here, but because they didn't, they'll be just fine with the next-best wideout on the board in Boston, a big-bodied talent who would complement Garrett Wilson well in the new Frank Reich-run offense."
No. 2: Edge Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami (FL)
"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 Jordyn 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."
