The landscape of the 2026 NFL Draft for the New York Jets recently took a drastic turn. Following the decision by Dante Moore to bypass the draft and return to Oregon, the Jets’ outlook has changed. Using PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator, let’s take a look at how things may unfold.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Round 1, Pick 2
Aside from quarterback, arguably the Jets’ top need is a difference-maker on their defensive front. Rueben Bain Jr. is coming off a highly productive College Football Playoff that helped Miami make a championship run. Listed at 6’3″, 270 pounds, Bain is well known for his explosive get-off and ability to convert speed to power. He wrapped up 2025 with 9.5 sacks. Bain recorded a whopping 5 sacks in Miami’s four playoff games.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Round 1, Pick 16
Sonny Styles is coming off an incredible breakout year in just his second season playing the linebacker position. He is physically gifted, listed at 6’5″, 243 pounds. To go along with his size, Styles is an elite athlete. Against the run, he shows strong instincts and eye discipline. With his arm length and athletic ability, he covers a lot of ground. Styles is also a former safety with natural coverage skills.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Round 2, Pick 33
After addressing the first two levels of the defense, the Jets add to their secondary. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a 6’2″, 202-pound safety who spent his four-year college career at Toledo. In 2025, McNeil-Warren recorded 2 interceptions, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles. As a draft prospect, he has the ability to contribute both in run support and coverage.
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Round 2, Pick 44
The Jets’ first offensive selection addresses one of their top needs at wide receiver. Germie Bernard is a polished route runner with reliable hands and dynamic run-after-catch ability. Bernard is listed at 6’1″, 204 pounds. Since transferring to Alabama in 2024, he has posted back-to-back productive seasons. Bernard finished 2024 with 50 catches, 794 yards (15.9 per catch), and two touchdowns. He improved in 2025 with 64 receptions, 862 yards (13.5 per catch), and 7 touchdowns.
KEEP READING: 2026 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Jets and Dolphins Select QBs of the Future, While 5 WRs Go in Round 1
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Round 4, Pick 103
Eli Stowers is an athletic, seam-stretching tight end who would complement Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert. In 2024, Stowers transferred to Vanderbilt and went on to produce consecutive strong seasons. That year, he recorded 49 catches for 638 yards (13 per catch) and 5 touchdowns. In 2025, Stowers posted 62 receptions, 769 yards (12.4 per catch), and 4 touchdowns. He possesses unique speed for a tight end and could create mismatches with his alignment versatility.
DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
Round 5, Pick 175
The Jets’ run defense must improve in 2026, and DeMonte Capehart could help address that need. With his long arms and 6’5″, 315-pound frame, Capehart can clog running lanes inside. He is experienced, having played in 57 games since joining Clemson in 2020. Capehart recorded a career-high five tackles for loss in 2023 and started for the Tigers over the past two seasons. He could provide quality depth at nose tackle behind Harrison Phillips.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Round 5, Pick 178
The Jets take a late-round flier on quarterback Drew Allar. He is still just 21 years old and possesses an impressive 6’5″, 235-pound frame. Allar started 35 games at Penn State. Had he declared for the draft a year earlier, he might have been a first-round pick. Here, late in the fifth round, the Jets make a low-risk bet on a prospect with the tools to potentially develop into a capable backup.
Gavin Gerhardt, OC, Cincinnati
Round 7, Pick 238
The Jets add depth to the interior of their offensive line with Gavin Gerhardt. He joined Cincinnati in 2020 and has made 49 starts since 2022. Gerhardt is listed at 6’4″, 310 pounds, and served as a three-time team captain during his tenure with the Bearcats.
Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU
Round 7, Pick 242
The Jets close out this mock draft by selecting edge rusher Patrick Payton. He spent the first four years of his college career at Florida State before transferring to LSU in 2025. While he lacked production in his lone season with the Tigers, Payton recorded 16 sacks from 2022 to 2024. His best individual season came in 2023, when he posted 7 sacks.
