Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft lands Jets two tone-setters in the trenches

The New York Jets have an opportunity in front of them to transform the team's outlook in 2026.

Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey's backs are against the wall. After a 3-14 season in 2025, they need to prove that they're the right football minds to turn the team around by putting a competent football team on the field in 2026.

It starts in March with free agency, but the true key to roster building lies in the draft. Luckily, the Jets are armed with four picks in the top 44 of April's NFL Draft, and if New York's braintrust can nail those picks, it will go a long way toward establishing trust for the future.

Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft lands the Jets David Bailey and Olaivavega Ioane

NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft provides the Jets with two players in the first round who can help the team compete in 2026 and would certainly provide the hope fans are looking for.

With the No. 2 overall pick, Jeremiah has the Jets selecting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.

"The Jets have their pick of the draft’s finest edge rushers here. Bailey’s combination of explosiveness and production is the best of the bunch."

Daniel Jeremiah

Bailey is widely regarded as one of the draft's best pass rushers, among Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Miami's Reuben Bain Jr. You'll see all three mocked to New York a bunch throughout the draft process.

The Red Raider was tied for first with the most sacks in college football last season with 14.5, and helped lead Texas Tech's top defense into the College Football Playoff.

New York already has two first-round picks at edge on their defense in Jermaine Johnson II and Will McDonald IV, but both players left a lot to be desired in 2025.

The Jets' defense totaled the second-fewest amount of sacks last season in the NFL, and while McDonald was New York's sack leader, half of his season total (eight) came in one game against the Cleveland Browns.

Adding Bailey to the mix would allow the Jets to get creative with their defensive fronts and add some juice to a position group that desperately needs it.

With the Jets' second first-round pick, No. 16 overall, Jeremiah has them picking Penn State interior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane.

"I know quarterback is a huge need for the Jets, but I don’t see a QB worthy of the 16th overall pick this year. So, they can take the best player available here. I view Ioane as the best offensive lineman in the draft. He can fill the void with the injury-plagued Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson headed for free agency."

Daniel Jeremiah

Ioane certainly fills a need for the Jets. As Jeremiah mentioned, New York has two guards set to test free agency in Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson. If neither is retained, the Nittany Lion isn't just a luxury, but a necessity.

Even if the Jets re-sign just one of Vera-Tucker or Simpson, Ioane could be a high-upside backup that sits his rookie year while he learns the ropes of becoming an NFL offensive lineman, a la Olu Fashanu's rookie season before injuries thrust him into the lineup.

Some fans may be clamoring for Alabama's Ty Simpson or a high-end wide receiver, but the Jets need to take care of their offensive line first and foremost to protect whatever veteran quarterback they end up landing this offseason.