2 small school playmakers Jets should monitor at the NFL Combine

The New York Jets learned long ago that the NFL Combine is not the end-all, be-all of the draft process. Lighting it up at the Underwear Olympics can have little correlation to actual success on the football field. Most of the top prospects these days don't even participate in most drills.

But for the few small-school players who are invited to attend the event, it can be vital. For these guys, it's about proving they have NFL-caliber athleticism and can provide hope that they can overcome the even more pronounced leap in competition that they will face.

The Jets have an impressive collection of draft capital heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. The war chest includes four picks in the first two rounds, and then a fourth-rounder, a sixth-rounder, and two sevenths. The two round one picks are likely to be used on a defensive player and a quarterback, but beyond that, there will still be many needs to attack.

One of the biggest points of emphasis will be adding playmakers, and with that in mind, there are a couple of small-school gamechangers who the team should have its eyes on during the combine. These guys aren't going to go at the top of the draft, but in the mid-to-late rounds, they could be steals.

The Jets need to watch these two small-school playmakers' performances at the NFL Combine

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

The younger brother of San Francisco 49ers draft bust, Trey Lance, Bryce Lance also took the field for the North Dakota State Bisons, setting the school record for receiving touchdowns in 2024 with 17.

At six-foot-three, 209 pounds, he has prototypical X-receiver size and the play style to match. He's gone over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, and averaged a whopping 21.2 yards per reception in 2025. His high-flying nature and effectiveness as a redzone target make him a perfect fit for Frank Reich's scheme.

He's already garnered some attention, coming in at No. 99 on Dane Brugler's top-100 prospects list. Seeing how he performs in the 40 and the agility drills will be crucial to determining his ultimate draft slot. If he proves he belongs, he could be a mid-round steal thanks to the depth of this year's receiver class.

Eli Heidenreich, WR/RB, Navy

Eli Heidenreich has done everything for the Naval Academy over the past three seasons. Navy has lined him up out wide, in the slot, as a tailback, and as a fullback. No matter where he is on the field, he makes plays.

Listed at six-feet, 206 pounds, Heidenreich rushed 77 times for 499 yards while also hauling in 51 passes for 941 yards. At 18.5 yards per reception, he's not just hauling in screens. Despite having the look and feel of a gadget player, Heidenreich can track and high point the ball downfield, but he can also flash some shiftiness in the open field on the shorter throws.

Throw in some solid vision as a runner and solid blocking technique and effort on the outside, and you've got a real weapon. He could be what the Jets were hoping that Malachi Corley would be, but with even more tricks in his bag and a military background that will prevent all the issues that derailed Corley.

He's not going to go very high, and his testing will be important, but as a late-round flyer, you could do a lot worse. If he hits, he's a Swiss army knife kind of weapon that very few teams possess.