For New York Jets fans, it always feels like draft season, and 2026 is no different. Year one under head coach Aaron Glenn came and went with growing pains, as expected, and plenty of losses during the 2025 campaign. But the bigger picture matters. With general manager Darren Mougey stockpiling draft capital over the next two years, the focus shifts from quantity to execution.
If the Jets can draft and develop the right way, this rebuild could accelerate, and that long playoff drought might finally come to an end.
Using the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator, here’s a look at how the Jets could approach the draft.
Round 1, Pick 2: Jets Select Ohio State LB/EDGE Arvell Reese
Round 1, Pick 2
The quarterback conversation looms large, but with no clear franchise passer at No. 2, the Jets opt to build a dominant foundation instead. Arvell Reese is a tone-setter.
A one-year starter, he erupted with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, earning All-America honors. At 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, with a blazing 4.46 40, he’s a rare blend of speed and power. Reese can stack and shed in the run game, rush off the edge, and bring violent energy as a blitzer.
The PFSN Consensus Big Board has him as a top-three overall prospect, highlighting his floor-to-ceiling potential. He has a higher floor with position flexibility, but his ceiling could boom as he develops into one of the NFL’s best edge rushers.
There are shades of Micah Parsons in his game. While he still needs refinement as a pass rusher, his ceiling is undeniable. For a defense that slipped to the bottom tier in 2025, Reese becomes an instant centerpiece.
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Round 1, Pick 16: Jets Add Utah OG/OT Spencer Fano
With the top receivers off the board, the Jets pivot to the trenches. Spencer Fano may project as a guard due to his arm length, but his upside is massive.
At 6-foot-5, 304 pounds, he’s an explosive mover with elite acceleration off the snap. He thrives as a run blocker with a nasty finishing mentality and shows real promise in pass protection after improving his anchor in 2025.
This pick is about stability and physicality, two things the Jets offense desperately needs.
Round 2, Pick 33: Jets Draft Toledo Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
This is where things get interesting. With a quarterback like Ty Simpson still on the board, the Jets stay patient and stick to their long-term plan, likely eyeing the 2027 QB class.
Instead, they grab a major need. After recording zero interceptions in 2025, the secondary needs playmakers badly.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren brings elite size (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) and length, paired with excellent range and physicality. He’s a tone-setter on the back end and immediately upgrades a struggling unit.
Round 2, Pick 44: Jets Take UConn WR Skyler Bell
Here comes the offensive weapon.
Skyler Bell quietly put together a monster season: 101 receptions, 1,278 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Both his yards and catches were the second most in college football. At 6-foot, 185 pounds, he’s a complete three-level threat with a polished route tree, strong ball tracking, and dynamic run-after-catch ability.
If you’re not on the Skyler Bell hype train yet, it’s time to get on.
Round 4, Pick 103: Jets Select Duke CB Chandler Rivers
The secondary rebuild continues.
Chandler Rivers is undersized at 5-foot-9, but he plays with toughness and instincts. Best suited for the slot, he thrives in zone coverage and brings feisty competitiveness. In Round 4, this is excellent value for a player who can carve out a role early.
Round 4, Pick 140: Jets Draft Penn State DT Zane Durant
A classic upside swing.
Zane Durant re-entered the spotlight after a strong combine performance, reminding scouts of the player many expected after his breakout 2024 season. With proper development, he could become a disruptive interior presence.
Round 5, Pick 179: Jets Take a Flier on Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
Here’s the quarterback flier. Once viewed as a potential first-round pick, Cade Klubnik’s 2025 season didn’t live up to expectations, but the talent is still there. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, he’s an improvisational, point guard-style passer reminiscent of Bo Nix.
Taking a chance on that skill set in Round 5? That’s a bet worth making.
Round 7, Pick 228: Jets Draft Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher
Bryce Boettcher brings versatility and athleticism as a former dual-sport athlete. He moves well in space, can cover tight ends, and stands out as a vocal leader who communicates pre-snap.
That kind of intelligence earns roster spots.
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Round 7, Pick 242: Jets Add Ohio State Safety Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Speed kills, and Lorenzo Styles has plenty of it.
After running a 4.27 40 at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he became one of the biggest combine risers. The brother of Sonny Styles, Lorenzo offers versatility and playmaking ability all over the field.
For Aaron Glenn’s defense, he could become a true chess piece.
Thank God your not the Gm.