The New York Jets haven’t made the playoffs for 15 years after back-to-back AFC Championship appearances.
So how does a cellar-dwelling team make it back to relevance after a decade and a half of abysmal seasons?
A good start is through the draft. The Jets have accrued significant capital by trading two of their best players in the last five years. The Indianapolis Colts acquired Sauce Gardner for wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, as well as a 2026 and 2027 first-round draft pick.
Quinnen Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 first-rounder. While the players have yet to pan out for the struggling franchise, the draft picks hold hope for many fans.
After a 3-14 season, New York holds the number two and number sixteen pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. These picks could prove pivotal in head coach Aaron Glenn keeping his job and turning around the franchise.
University of Oregon’s quarterback Dante Moore decided to stay in school another year, leaving the Jets unable to select who many thought would be the second pick in the draft. This has left New York fans, as well as the front office, with questions on how to proceed going forward.
Option One: Get a Quarterback
The Jets have been clamoring for an elite franchise QB since Joe Namath guaranteed a Super Bowl in 1969. If they do take the quarterback route, it makes the number two pick easy, as they can take the best player available.
The question then falls on the sixteenth pick, and whether Gang Green takes a quarterback off the board. The Jets will have to look at Alabama QB Ty Simpson, as the consensus number one pick, Fernando Mendoza, will be off the board.
The 23-year-old had a good season for the Crimson Tide. He slung 28 touchdowns to only five interceptions, along with 3,567 passing yards. The issue is that he only has 15 starts in his career.
In the past 25 years, only one quarterback drafted in the first round with under 17 collegiate starts has made a Super Bowl.
Of course, Cam Newton was a better prospect than Simpson is. This leaves the Jets placing their hopes in a young QB, putting not only the season, but the coaching staff and front office in jeopardy.
This year is likely not the year to take a quarterback early, and the New York Jets should choose a different path.
Option Two: Defense and a Weapon
The Jets had no shortage of problems last season. A lack of pass rush and wide receiver production were two of the most glaring. Only one Jet had more than four sacks in 2025.
Three good choices at pass rusher will be available at the number two pick in this draft. Rueben Bain Jr, Arvell Reese, and David Bailey all have a claim to be the second name off the board come April.
While surely each fan argues for the one that they want the most, any of these picks would bolster a pass rush that was 31st in sacks this past year.
The leading receiver for New York in 2025 was Garrett Wilson with 395 yards in just seven games. If either Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson falls to the sixteen, there should be no hesitation in the Jets’ war room to send in the envelope that calls their name.
Other options include Denzel Boston and Kevin Concepcion. They would more than likely be available for the Jets to select at that point in the draft.
Any of those four receivers would put a weapon next to Garrett Wilson to help the passing woes that plague the Jets.
These moves would take care of two undeniable needs in the New York Jets’ roster. This makes the team better overall, but it is still missing the most important position in football: quarterback.
Option Three: Trade, Trade, Trade
The Jets are bad in no uncertain terms. The selections of one draft won’t save this team, no matter who they are. Two picks in the first round are nice, but they won’t be life-changing.
The Jets should by no means throw away their first two picks. They should, however, listen to any offer that is given throughout this draft. The Jets can address issues evident on the roster by acquiring more capital and trading for a veteran bridge quarterback like Mac Jones or Kyler Murray.
The QB prospects in this draft are nothing to write home about, while the quarterback options in the 2027 draft look to be some of the best in recent history.
By trading for more draft capital and taking as many players as possible that fit Aaron Glenn’s system, nothing will make massive headlines during the draft, but it is a step in the direction of fixing a roster that has more holes than a golf course.
While fans may have to endure another year of bad football, they are used to it. The quarterback of the future, who can be found in two years instead of one, will benefit from these holes being taken care of before their arrival.
The decision to make trades could lead to one year of subpar football, but in the long run, it could be well worth it.
With this draft, it’s hard to say that the Jets will compete in the 2026 season, but every choice can be a step closer to bringing the silver Lombardi trophy back to the New York Jets.
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