The New York Jets have been one of the league’s worst teams over the past few seasons. However, after trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the team is now well-positioned to build its roster with young talent over the next two drafts.
While the team has defensive holes, their offense needs improvement, and they could make some significant additions in the draft to help bolster that side of the ball.
Jets Select Makai Lemon in Latest PFSN Mock Draft
After selecting Oregon quarterback with the second overall pick, the Jets are projected to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the number 16 pick in PFSN’s latest New York Jets mock draft.
“The Jets waste no time supporting Moore, adding arguably the best wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft,” said PFSN NFL Draft writer Ryan Moran.
“Makai Lemon out of USC 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.”
Lemon ranks as the No. 4 wide receiver in PFSN’s College Football wide receiver Impact rankings (WRi), after setting career highs across the board as a Junior at USC. The 21-year-old wide receiver caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, while adding a pair of touchdowns on the ground as well.
The explosive playmaker had 16 career total touchdowns at USC and would add a dynamic weapon on the outside for a team in desperate need of playmakers. New York ranked as the No. 29 offense in PFSN’s Offense Impact rankings, while ranking 29th in both total yards per game (263.6) and points per game (17.6).
Garrett Wilson is one of the most consistent and dangerous wide receivers in the league, but the team has very little help alongside him for whoever is under center in 2026. Wilson led the team in receiving yards (395) and receiving touchdowns (four) while finishing second in targets (59) and receptions (36) despite only playing in seven games.
Wilson is locked in for the long term, having signed a four-year extension worth $130 million ahead of the 2026 season. Pairing Wilson with Lemon alongside him would make things challenging for opposing defenses, while making the life of a young quarterback much simpler.
With Breece Hall, their top running back, and third leading receiver set to be a free agent, the team’s need to add at least one weapon on offense only grows. The team has a range of needs and may look to add the best player available in the draft to maximize their roster’s talent.
With an array of picks and cap space to add to the roster, the Jets are in a position to strengthen their roster and improve on their 2025 season. How the Jets utilize those picks and their cap space remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on general manager Darren Mougey as he looks to rebuild the Jets roster into a contender.
