More than any other NFL franchise, the New York Jets are poised to go all in with the 2027 draft. Geno Smith serving as the team’s QB1 this fall, as well as three first-round picks for next April’s event, pretty much tells the entire story.
The biggest question is whether Aaron Glenn and his staff will remain in place to finally land the team’s next franchise quarterback.
New York’s front office did an exemplary job to enhance the roster’s overall talent level. Defensively, the Jets added Minkah Fitzpatrick, Demario Davis, T’Vondre Sweat, Joseph Ossai, second-round cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and this year’s second overall pick, David Bailey, to improve upon last year’s bottom eight finish.
On the other side of the ball, the Jets drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to give Smith better all-around weaponry.
Smith may not be an ideal solution, but he’s a proven veteran. Furthermore, it’s unlikely the 35-year-old will play as poorly as he did a season ago with the Las Vegas Raiders in what turned out to be a dire situation.
As a fourth-round pick, rookie Cade Klubnik doesn’t even factor into the team’s plan unless he’s forced into the lineup and plays above and beyond all expectations.
The Jets should be better this fall, which seems counterproductive to the end goal. At the same time, the franchise has a war chest of draft assets to ensure it lands a quarterback and continue its build toward a competitive squad.