The Jets currently have the No. 2 & No. 16 picks in the 2026 draft. Below is a compilation of mock drafts. The views expressed are not representative of any Jets personnel.
No. 2: Edge David Bailey – Texas Tech
“This will likely be either Bailey or Ohio State’s Arvell Reese — New York was 31st in sacks last season with 26 — but I have to think Bailey is the guy for the Jets. He is a polished pass rusher with proven production, tying for the FBS lead in sacks (14.5) in 2025. He can be a Day 1 disrupter off the edge.
No. 16: WR Omar Cooper Jr. – Indiana
“Every GM I speak to seems to love Cooper. He’s fearless and tough as nails — and he produces, with 937 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The comp I’ve heard is Deebo Samuel, and I don’t think that’s too wild to consider. The Jets are all about creating strong culture right now and building with guys who want it more than the ones lining up against them. That’s Cooper. He’d be a great complement to Garrett Wilson.”
The Athletic – Nick Baumgardner
No. 2: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
“The Jets didn’t trade off all their valuable assets last year to save up for a future quarterback. They did it to rebuild a broken roster. New York needs to be in best-player-available mode throughout the 2026 draft. At No. 2, that’s Reese, a front-seven terror who can perform in any system.”
No. 16: TE Kenyon Sadiq – Oregon
“The Jets need help everywhere, including at receiver, so this would kill two birds with one stone — Sadiq runs like a wideout and blocks like a tight end. This also might be too low for the Oregon star, who is the prototype of a modern tight end prospect and the best of a great 2026 TE class.”
No. 33: QB Ty Simpson – Alabama
“Simpson hearing his name in the back half of Round 1 wouldn’t surprise anyone; I just have a hard time stamping him as a first-rounder based on the little evidence we have. He has NFL starting-caliber traits, but whether or not he puts them together remains a guess at best.”
No. 44: Edge Gabe Jacas – Illinois