The New York Jets turned the NFL Trade deadline upside down with two blockbuster trades that will set the tone for the franchise for the rest of the 2025 NFL season and beyond.
In trading Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys, the Jets sent a message that they are in for a roster reset. Both players brought in return valuable draft capital that will allow the Jets to control the NFL draft board over the next two seasons with two first round picks in both the 2026 NFL Draft and the 2027 NFL Draft.
Beyond that, the Jets have also accumulated multiple Day 2 picks that will also allow them to both reset and rebuild their roster with high-level young talent. That will give the team opportunities to replace Gardner and Williams at those key positions and find their franchise quarterback.
Top Draft Needs:
- Quarterback
- Cornerback
- Defensive line
Five first round targets for the New York Jets fits:
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Jets need at quarterback is obvious. The team’s experiment and hope of a Justin Fields revival has not worked out and now the franchise is once again in search of a quarterback leader. Currently with a top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets should be able to land Heisman Trophy favorite Fernando Mendoza who has showcased an elevated level of poise in the pocket while leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated record through Week 11 of the college football season.
Projected at the top quarterback prospect in the draft, Mendoza is noted for his consistent accuracy on short and intermediate throws. He also has a presence in the pocket that will make him an interesting fit for a Jets team that hasn’t been able to hit at the position.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
If Mendoza is off the board, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is a good fit for the Jets due to his quick processing, pocket awareness and ability to make plays with his legs as well. Although his lack of experience will draw pause for some NFL scouts, it’s hard to ignore the pure arm talent of Simpson who has exhibited an ability to deliver passes to all levels of the field with accuracy and precision.
At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, Simpson has ideal size for a quarterback and if he lands on a team like the Jets will patience to grow. But with what he is showing at Alabama this season, that patience should pay off rather quickly.
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
If the Jets end up with a draft pick outside the top 5, they could punt on quarterback and jump at the opportunity to find a player who could replace Quinnen Williams on the defensive line. That player is Clemson’s Peter Woods who has the talent, size and power to be a disruptive force in the middle of the Jets’ defensive line. He also has an ability to get after the passer.
At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, Woods is an explosive defender who is a nuisance for offensive lineman given his athleticism and high motor. He also has great speed for his size. He would be a great fit for the Jets given their need along the defensive line even before the trade of Williams.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
It’s going to be hard to replace a Pro-Bowl caliber defensive back like Sauce Gardner, but there will be an opportunity to land high-level cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL draft. A player they can target with their second first-round pick is LSU’s Mansoor Delane who has maturated into one of the top cornerback prospects in 2025.
Although he has a slender flame at 6-foot-0, 190 pounds, Delane is a competitive corner who is not afraid to step up inside the box and provide run support. With his ball skill, he competes for the ball and has the versatility to play in multiple skills, including press man and a boundary corner. If Aaron Glenn is still the head coach in 2026, a player he can help develop and put in positions to utilize his strengths.
Colton Hood CB, Tennessee
Another potential late-round target for the Jets is Tennessee’s Colton Hood who is projected as a late-first round or early Day 2 pick. With two second-round picks, a player like Hood should be on the radar for the Jets. A competitive cornerback, Hood is excellent whether he is playing man or zone coverage. His physicality at the line of scrimmage will intrigue most NFL teams especially the Jets who like to play physical at all three levels of their defense.
What Hood will have to work on at the next level is tackling. That one weakness is what could drop him in the draft. But, given his main strengths, that element of his game can be coached up.