Coming off a 3-14 season, a key draft awaits Darren Mougey, Aaron Glenn, and the New York Jets. Fortunately, they own four picks in the top 44 selections of the 2026 NFL Draft following the blockbuster trades, including Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Let’s take a look at who the Jets acquire in this mock draft using PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator.
Round 1, Pick 2: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The biggest question for the Jets entering this offseason is who their next quarterback will be. Here, they select Oregon’s Dante Moore to hopefully be their long-term answer at the position. Moore lacks experience, having only started at the collegiate level for one year. Therefore, it would be wise for Mougey and Glenn to have a veteran presence around for the short term. Moore is a talented prospect with accuracy, a quick release, the ability to throw the football from different arm angles, and a calm presence in the pocket.
Round 1, Pick 16: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Jets waste no time supporting Moore, adding arguably the best wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. Makai Lemon out of USCÂ is a route-running technician with incredible hands at the catch point and dynamic run-after-catch ability. After quarterback, wide receiver is one of the (if not the top) needs for the Jets entering the 2026 offseason. Adding Lemon alongside Garrett Wilson would give Moore a formidable wide receiver tandem.
Round 2, Pick 33: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Defensively, the Jets must get better on the second level. The presence of a true MIKE linebacker was sorely missed in 2025 following C.J. Mosley’s retirement. Georgia’s C.J. Allen has the potential to fill that void. As a draft prospect, Allen is gifted with size, physicality, and strength. He is a terrific run defender. Allen’s intelligence in the middle is exactly what the Jets defense needs.
Round 2, Pick 44: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
The Jets will need to add a defensive tackle this offseason to go along with Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs. Lee Hunter is gifted with size and can help the Jets’ run defense right away. Listed at 6’4″, 330 pounds, Hunter has the size to align as a nose tackle and take on double teams. For his size, he possesses explosive and quick athletic abilities, which could potentially develop into a strong pass rusher. Adding Hunter and Allen in the second round would bolster the middle of the Jets’ defense.
Round 4, Pick 103: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
A second consecutive pick goes to the defensive line with Dani Dennis-Sutton out of Penn State. Sutton has good size, listed at 6’5″, 265 pounds. On early downs, he can set the edge and help stop the run. As a pass rusher, Dennis-Sutton has the versatility to win inside. He has long arms and can convert to power. Dennis-Sutton is a physical presence that the Jets’ defensive line needs.
Round 5, Pick 178: Lawson Luckie, TE, Georgia
Lawson Luckie is a receiving tight end with alignment versatility. He is a gifted athlete with the potential to make plays vertically. His skill set would complement what the Jets already have at tight end with Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert. Taylor and Ruckert can play in-line and help in the passing game on the short and intermediate levels. Luckie could give Moore a similar type of presence to what he had at Oregon with Kenyon Sadiq.
Round 7, Pick 236: Bryce Foster, OC, Kansas
After re-signing Josh Myers to a two-year deal, the Jets added some depth at center with Bryce Foster. He is listed at 6’5″, 310 pounds. Foster gained a lot of starting experience in college. Over the past five years, he has started in 52 games. He is gifted with athleticism and strength, which gives him a chance to, at the very least, provide formidable depth to an offensive line.
Round 7, Pick 241: Barion Brown, WR, LSU
Barion Brown has the potential to be an effective kick returner in the NFL. Gifted with track speed, Brown is electric with the ball in his hands. Over the past four seasons in college, Brown returned six kicks for touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 36 yards per return on kickoffs in 2023. With Brown, the Jets would give special teams coordinator Chris Banjo another talented returner.
Round 7, Pick 256: Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
The Jets take a safety in Xavier Nwankpa to add some depth to the position group. Nwankpa was a starter for Iowa’s defense the last three years. He started at strong safety in 2023 and 2024. This past season, Nwankpa started at free safety for Iowa. Nwankpa has a lot of size for a safety, listed at 6’2″, 213 pounds. With that frame, Nwankpa can contribute as a run defender for the Jets.
Round 7, Pick 257: Fernando Carmona Jr., OG, Arkansas
Fernando Carmona Jr. is an experienced offensive line prospect who has started 49 games over the past four years. Carmona played at San Jose State during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before transferring to Arkansas. He is listed at 6’5″, 325 pounds. Carmona could offer the Jets offensive line depth and versatility, having played both left tackle and left guard in college.
