The New York Jets are coming off an abysmal 4-13 season in 2025. The Jets ranked in the bottom 10 in both offense and defense, meaning this upcoming draft is an important one.
The Jets have been active early in the free agency period. Trades for Geno Smith and Minkah Fitzpatrick started it off. There was also a clear focus on building a defense. Signings like veteran LB Demario Davis and ballhawk CB Nahshon Wright show that New York is addressing holes through free agency.
New York traded away Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline. These trades gave the Jets much-needed draft capital for the ongoing rebuild. Gang Green is going into the 2026 draft with four picks in the first two rounds after trading their former franchise cornerstones.
Jets Draft Picks:
- Round 1: Pick 2
- Round 1: Pick 16
- Round 2: Pick 33
- Round 2: Pick 44
- Round 4: Pick 103
- Round 4: Pick 140
- Round 5: Pick 179
- Round 7: Pick 228
- Round 7: Pick 242
Jets Positions of Need:
GM Darren Mougey has expressed his excitement for the “opportunity” that the Jets have in front of them. There are a lot of holes in the roster that need addressing. New York’s actions in free agency have made the draft strategy clearer. Going into April the Jets are likely to be looking for.
- EDGE
- WR
- QB
Key Draft Targets for Jets:
Arvell Reese – OLB – Ohio State
The Jets get their pick of the litter of pass rushers at number two this year. Arvell Reese, as a pass rusher and off-ball linebacker, has versatility that has many experts projecting his name will be called second in Pittsburgh.
NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the Jets taking Reese at number two overall. Jeremiah references Reese’s versatility, which would give the Jets more flexibility in their 3-4 scheme.
Makai Lemon – WR – USC
Makai Lemon is coming off winning the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football. Pairing Lemon in the slot with Garrett Wilson on the outside would help solve the lack of pass-game weapons the Jets have.
Lemon is ranked the 13th-best prospect according to consensus mock drafts. It would be a no-brainer to bring him to Florham Park if he falls to 16.
Ty Simpson – QB – Alabama
Geno Smith is not the long-term answer for the Jets. Ty Simpson is the next best available quarterback after Fernando Mendoza and an early second-round prospect. Should the Jets take a flyer at QB this year, Simpson in the second round would make sense.
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