New York Jets 2026 Draft Needs After Active Offseason

(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

After an aggressive offseason with many signings and trades, the New York Jets will look to continue their roster overhaul in the draft. So far during the offseason, the Jets have added QB Geno Smith, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, S Dane Belton, CB Nashon Wright, LB Demario Davis, G Dylan Parham, ED Joseph Ossai, ED Kingsley Enagbare, DL T’Vondre Sweat, DL David Onyemata, and K Cade York. Even with these additions, the Jets have a few glaring needs at some positions, while others could use reliable depth.

Need 1 - Wide Receiver

The Jets are in desperate need of a reliable WR2. Garrett Wilson did not play in a game after suffering a season-ending injury in November, and despite this, he still led the team in receiving yards at the end of the season with only 395. While the Jets still have recent trade deadline acquisition Adonai Mitchell, he has not proven himself to be a true WR2, as he has only 765 yards and two touchdowns through his two-year career. Behind Adonai Mitchell are Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith, who received PFF grades of 61.4 and 48.4, respectively. Needless to say, the Jets could also use another WR behind Adonai Mitchell on the depth chart. In this upcoming draft, the Jets are expected to explore adding a reliable WR2 on day one or two and possibly another WR on day three.

Prospects to keep an eye on: Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper Jr., Denzel Boston

Need 2 - Pass Rusher

The Jets were second-to-last in sacks this past NFL season, and with the departure of Jermaine Johnson as well, they will need to add a productive pass rusher. The Jets did, in fact, add to their defensive line so far this offseason, but all of those moves were depth pieces and run stoppers. With that in mind, all signs point to the Jets adding a blue-chip pass rusher at pick number two, whether it be the CFB sack leader David Bailey or the freak athlete Arvell Reese.

Prospects to keep an eye on: David Bailey, Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor

Need 3 - Outside Cornerback

After trading away Sauce Gardner for two first-round picks at the trade deadline, the Jets do not have a true lockdown corner. The Jets’ CB1, Brandon Stephens, had a PFF grade of 67.0, which was 35th in the NFL. Behind Brandon Stephens is Azareye'h Thomas, who is still unproven due to injuries, and recent signing Nashon Wright, who will most likely compete with Thomas for the CB2 spot. This leads the Jets to be in need of a true lockdown corner on the outside.

Prospects to keep an eye on: Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood, Chris Johnson, D'Angelo Ponds

Need 4 - Quarterback

The Jets brought back a familiar player in QB Geno Smith, who will look to redeem himself for his past struggles. Outside of Geno Smith, the Jets do not have anyone you can trust to win games if he goes down. The only other QBs on the roster are UDFA Brady Cook, who threw two touchdowns and seven interceptions, and Bailey Zappe, who will most likely be on the practice squad. On top of this, Geno Smith, age 35, is not part of the Jets’ future. This means that the Jets can look to the draft to add a much-needed backup signal-caller who can sit under Geno Smith.

Prospects to keep an eye on: Ty Simpson, Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, Carson Beck

Need 5 - Inside Linebacker

Although the Jets added veteran ILB Demario Davis, Quincy Williams left to sign with the Browns. We also saw Jamien Sherwood take an unfortunate step back from the 2024 season. Outside of Davis and Sherwood, the ILB room consists of special teamers. With Davis, age 37, only getting older and Sherwood’s uncertain future, the Jets are left with question marks in the ILB room. Fortunately, they still have the opportunity to add to the ILB room in the draft, which is likely.

Prospects to keep an eye on: CJ Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, Anthony Hill Jr., Kyle Louis

Need 6 - Kicker

Last season, the 41-year-old Nick Folk showed no signs of age, going 28/29 on field goals and 22/22 on extra points. Unfortunately for the Jets, Nick Folk signed with the Falcons in free agency. The Jets did sign Cade York in an attempt to fill the void, but after going 9/13 on field goals in his most recent season, he is not a reliable option. The Jets could use an extra kicker to have a training camp battle with Cade York, and adding one in the later rounds or signing an undrafted kicker is a realistic option.

Prospects to keep an eye on: Trey Smack, Drew Stevens, Dominic Zvada, Kansei Matsuzawa

After an active offseason for the Jets, there are still some positions of need. Fortunately, GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn have been thinking forward, which is why they have an abundance of draft picks to fill these needs. The 2026 draft will be key in helping the Jets complete their much-needed roster overhaul as they look to end their 15-season playoff drought.

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