Jets NFL draft grades: Top marks for Darren Mougey's 2026 class

Are the New York Jets headed for Gang Green-er pastures? General manager Darren Mougey had his work cut out for him entering the 2026 NFL Draft , coming off a putrid 3-14 season in his first year as Jets GM that left the team without some of its star talent and with the No. 2 overall selection.

While the on-field product was bad, Mougey demonstrated shrewdness in deals during his tenure that may ultimately help New York in the long run. The blockbuster trades of cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive line cornerstone Quinnen Williams resulted in a massive bolstering of the Jets' draft capital in the 2026 and beyond. With some of that capital, Mougey's second draft may have done a bit to sharpen his reputation as an efficient drafter – that is, according to some NFL experts, including those at USA TODAY Sports.

Here's how the Jets' individual picks graded out, as well as a grade for their overall draft class: Jets draft pick grades The Jets made eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's how each pick graded out, per USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz and Jacob Camenker: 2. New York Jets: David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech - Grade: B The mystery is over.

After being tied to Arvell Reese for much of the pre-draft process, Gang Green seemed to be attached more closely to Bailey in recent weeks. On some level, taking a proven pass rusher makes sense for a regime that needs to show it deserves the chance to build this team from the ground up. And he provides a more clear projection to the pros than Reese, the linebacker who only dabbled at edge rushing at Ohio State.