What will the New York Jets do in the 2026 NFL Draft with two first round picks?
A team that finished in last place in the AFC East, the Jets set themselves up to cash in in the 2026 NFL Draft and 2027 NFL Draft with a total of five first round picks combined. They also have multiple second round picks to play around with.
Unfortunately, in the 2026 NFL Draft, the quarterback class is considered a weak class filled with question marks and what ifs beyond Fernando Mendoza who is expected to go No. 1 overall.
With Aaron Glenn getting another season at head coach, there’s an opportunity to change the culture of the green machine and add impact players on both sides of the football. With the No. 2 overall pick, there is a major opportunity to add a generational type player at a key position. While the intrigue is there, what may be more fascinating is what the Jets do with the No. 16 overall pick.
Here's a look at what a couple of NFL Draft analysts predict for the New York Jets at No. 16.
ESPN 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jets land Quinnen Williams replacement
Mel Kiper Jr. dropped his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft predictions and has the Jets landing Caleb Downs with the No. 2 overall pick and then sticking with defense to select Clemson’s Peter Woods with the No. 16 overall pick. With this pick, Kiper notes the Jets can bolster the defensive line with a talent like Woods and add what they lost in the blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys prior to the 2025 NFL draft deadline.
Kiper Jr writes:
“The Jets are back on the clock, and after I handed them a difference-making safety in Caleb Downs earlier, I'll go with a Quinnen Williams replacement this time around. Three Jets defensive tackles are hitting free agency, and they've lacked a real impact player in the middle of the D-line since trading Williams at the deadline. Woods didn't have elite production in 2025, but the tape was still really good. He has the power to be a force at 3-technique for New York.”
Kiper does note he could see the Jets taking Ty Simpson at this spot, which seems more plausible given the Jets have two second rounds in which they can still add defensive line help. If Simpson impresses at the NFL Combine this week, his stock can rise and put pressure on the Jets to take him with one of their two first round pick, preferably at No. 16.
NFL.com Mock Draft: Jets land outstanding playmaker
In his latest NFL Mock Draft, NFL.Com’s Bucky Brooks stuck with the theme of the Jets going defensive with their top pick in the first round by selecting Texas Tech Edge David Baily. But, at No. 16, the NFL.com analyst has the Jets selecting one of the top 3 wide receivers in the draft in Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
Brooks writes:
“If the Jets find a quarterback via trade or free agency, they could add another perimeter weapon to the mix to alleviate some of the pressure on WR1 Garrett Wilson. Tyson's injury history is a concern, but the Arizona State star is a polished route runner with outstanding hands and ball skills.”
Will Tyson fall to No. 16 is the question, but if he does this is not a bad pick for a Jets team that was stagnant offensively most of the season. If they have a plan at QB, whether that be selecting Simpson, a Day 2 QB or adding a veteran to hold down the role until the 2027 NFL Draft, then creating a duo of Wilson and Tyson should excite Jets fans. With four picks in the first two rounds, the Jets can address both sides of the ball with high impact prospect potential.
So, should it be defense or offense with the No. 16 overall pick for the Jets?
NFL Mocks sway towards offense given the Jets go defense at No. 2 overall.
NFL Mocks pick for Jets at No. 16
In our Pre-Combine edition of the NFL Mock Draft, the Jets take Arvell Reese No. 2 overall and then take Ty Simpson at No. 16 overall with the main motivation being simply that the Jets have nothing else to lose.
“With four picks in the first two rounds, the Jets can afford to take a gamble at quarterback. What else do they have to lose? Though Ty Simpson needs time to develop, his skillset, toughness and arm talent, along with his mobility will draw intrigue from multiple NFL teams. The Jets don’t let him get past them at No. 16.”
Again, this will depend on both Simpson’s performance at the NFL Combine and the other QBs looking to catch NFL scout’s attention, but the middle of the draft feels like a prime spot for the second QB to fall off the board. With the Jets having many needs, you really can’t sneeze at any of these predictions.
Woods would be great in the middle of the Jets defensive line. Tyson would add another dynamic playmaker to the mix. But, if there is no plan at quarterback, the Jets will find themselves right back in this position in 2027. But, at least then, there will be a better shot to solve their long-term plans at the QB position…especially with three 2027 first-round picks.