Is the New York Jets’ luck turning? If Week 18’s early-game slate is any indication, that may be the case.
Ahead of the Jets’ season finale in Buffalo, the team knew they needed to try to improve their draft stock in any possible way that they could. Currently, the team is slated to have the third overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.
That may be changing, though.
The Jets can thank the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants for that.
Jets’ improved draft stock
Thanks to their cross-town rival, the Giants and their 27-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Jets only need to lose to the Buffalo Bills, and they will earn the second overall pick.
No need for tiebreakers or strength-of-schedule nonsense. It’s that simple. Big Blue’s win (coupled with a future Jets loss) means that Gang Green will move up a single pick.
That move-up is significant. The two top projected quarterbacks in the class are Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore.
While the Las Vegas Raiders have also locked in the top overall pick in the draft, a loss to the Bills will guarantee at least one of those quarterbacks is on the board when the Jets make their pick.
But wait, there’s more.
With the Colts’ loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts now also drop further down the draft order. Going into the day, they were slated to have the 18th overall pick in the 2026 selection process.
Following their road loss, their pick (which goes to the Jets due to the Sauce Gardner trade) could move up to as high as 15 after the evening slate of contests.
Having the second overall pick and the 15th overall pick is life-changing for a team like the Jets. After getting some help, luck may be turning for Gang Green.
All they have to do is lose to Buffalo in a couple of hours.