2026 NFL Jets Complete Mock Draft

After another disappointing season for the New York Jets, Aaron Glenn and the front office need to turn things around in 2026. The Jets have been one of the most active teams in free agency, bringing in reliable veterans who can help set the tone. It’s going to be hard to top a 3-14 season. 

The Jets traded for quarterback Geno Smith, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. New York signed linebacker Demario Davis, defensive end Joseph Ossai, defensive tackle David Onyemata, and cornerback Nahshon Wright as free agents. The message was clear: we need to be better on defense. 

The next step is to get better in the NFL Draft. The Jets have a great opportunity to dive into the long-term aspects of their goals and try to end the longest active playoff drought in the NFL. But the focus is now! Aaron Glenn, GM Darren Mougey, and the entire organization have a crucial opportunity to get the franchise moving in the right direction. Let’s dive into my 2026 NFL Jets Mock Draft. 

Jets’ 2026 NFL Draft Picks 

Round 1: Pick 2

Round 1: Pick 16 (from Colts)

Round 2: Pick 33

Round 2: Pick 44 (from Cowboys)

Round 4: Pick 103

Round 4: Pick 140 (compensatory)

Round 5: Pick 179 (compensatory)

Round 7: Pick 228 (from Cowboys through Bills and Raiders)

Round 7: Pick 242 (from Bills through Browns)

2026 Jets’ Mock Draft

Round 1: Pick 2

• LB Arvell Reese: Ohio State: Arvell Reese is my number one defensive player on my board. Reese is an elite athlete with some seriously eye-popping film, so it’s no surprise he’s the first defensive player taken after Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 to the Raiders. He lined up in a hybrid outside linebacker/EDGE role last season, but he’s got all the tools to develop into a dominant pass rusher at the next level. The Jets don’t need to rush anything; they can take their time figuring out exactly how they want to use him. And the scary part? He’s only 20 years old. He’s got all the makings of a long-term cornerstone for that defense.

Round 1: Pick 16 (from Colts)

• WR Omar Cooper: Indiana: It seems like every GM is really high on Cooper. He plays fearless, he’s tough as hell, and he backs it up with production. 937 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The comparison I keep hearing is Deebo Samuel, and honestly, that’s not a stretch. The Jets are clearly focused on building a strong culture with guys who just want it more than the opponent, and Cooper fits that perfectly. He’d be a great complement to Garrett Wilson.

Round 2: Pick 33

• QB Ty Simpson: Alabama: It wouldn’t shock anyone if Simpson ends up going late in the first round, but based on the limited tape, it’s tough to fully buy in on him as a true first-round guy. The traits are there to be an NFL starter, no question, but whether he can consistently put it all together is still a bit of a question mark. But the Jets do need a backup plan in case Geno goes down. 

Round 2: Pick 44 (from Cowboys)

• CB D’Angelo Ponds: Indiana: One of a few players who made the jump with Curt Cignetti from JMU to Indiana, Ponds is definitely undersized, but he makes up for it with his IQ, toughness, competitiveness, and willingness to tackle. He could step in and handle the slot role right away. Given that Glenn was an undersized NFL corner himself, he might really identify with a guy like Ponds. When you’re this early in a rebuild, you’ve got the flexibility to just take the best player available, no matter the position, and Ponds has the potential to develop into a long-term starter in the secondary.

Round 4: Pick 103

• CB Brandon Cisse: South Carolina: Brandon Cisse would be a strong addition for the Jets because he brings length, athleticism, and physicality to the cornerback position. Traits that fit well in a defense built on press coverage. He’s competitive at the line of scrimmage and isn’t afraid to challenge receivers, which would pair well with the Jets’ aggressive defensive identity. Cisse also shows solid instincts in zone coverage, allowing him to read quarterbacks and break on the ball. With his upside and versatility, he could develop into a reliable outside corner and add valuable depth to a secondary that thrives on talent and competition.

Round 4: Pick 140 (compensatory)

• LB Bryce Boettcher: Oregon: Bryce Boettcher would be a strong fit for the Jets because he brings toughness, leadership, and a high football IQ to the linebacker room. At Oregon, he showed he can play with physicality in the run game while also holding his own in coverage when asked to drop back. He’s the type of player who consistently finds himself around the ball and doesn’t shy away from contact. Boettcher’s effort and instincts help him play bigger than his frame, which would translate well to special teams right away. With his versatility and competitiveness, he could develop into a dependable rotational linebacker in the Jets’ defense.

Round 5: Pick 179 (compensatory)

• OT Aamil Wagner: Notre Dame: The Jets add to their offensive line with Wagner, who actually grades out higher on CBS Sports’ board than where he’s being taken here. He’s still going to need some development, but New York has the time and flexibility to bring him along the right way. He’s got 28 starts at right tackle at a high-level program, which gives you a solid foundation to work with. At this point in the draft, that’s a pretty reasonable bet for a team trying to build depth and stability up front. 

Round 7: Pick 228 (from Cowboys through Bills and Raiders)

• TE Riley Nowakowski: Indiana: Nowakowski is the kind of do-it-all player who can bring value in a lot of different ways. He runs, catches, and blocks, and his journey shows how versatile he really is. Riley started out as a linebacker at Wisconsin, moved to fullback, and eventually transitioned to tight end. Even with all those position changes, he still found a way to contribute and scored two 1-yard touchdowns for the national champion Hoosiers last season. He could step into an H-back type role and carve out a niche similar to someone like Andrew Beck. For a team looking for versatility and depth, he’s the kind of late-round piece worth taking a chance on.

Round 7: Pick 242 (from Bills through Browns)

• Edge Patrick Payton: LSU: Payton really broke out as a redshirt freshman at Florida State in 2022, putting up five sacks and six tackles for loss and immediately showing what he could do. He followed that up with an even stronger 2023 season, finishing with seven sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 10 passes defended. While he hasn’t quite hit those same numbers since, that early production is still hard to ignore and shows the kind of impact he’s capable of. The flashes are there, and in the right system, he could get back to that level. For that reason, the Jets feel like a solid fit for him.