2026 NFL Mock Draft: New York Jets grab quarterback

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 1: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to a game against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The New York Jets entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear objective: overhaul a roster that sputtered to a 3-14 finish. After securing the cornerstone of their defense at No.

2 , the front office stunned the league at No. 16 by selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson—a move that signals a boom-or-bust philosophy for the franchise’s future. The Foundation: With the second overall pick, the Jets took the safe route by selecting Arvell Reese, the standout linebacker/edge hybrid from Ohio State.

Reese, a consensus All-American, is widely viewed as a positionless weapon who can instantly elevate a Jets defense that allowed nearly 30 points per game last season. Standing 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds with 4. 46 speed, Reese is the blue-chip athlete the Jets desperately needed to anchor their front seven.

The Gamble: While Reese was the consensus choice, the decision to take Ty Simpson at No. 16 is already being labeled a massive reach. Despite having only 15 collegiate starts, Simpson showcased elite potential in 2025, throwing for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns.