New York Jets 2026 NFL Draft Preview
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.