Darren Mougey reveals Jets are open for business during the 2026 NFL Draft

New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey is no stranger to trades. Since taking over as the lead decision maker for New York, he's made over a dozen deals.

It started last summer when Mougey flipped a couple of Day 3 picks for interior defensive linemen, and continued into the season when he traded three established players, Michael Carter II, Sauce Gardner, and Quinnen Williams, for future assets to help rebuild the team.

This offseason has been no different, and Mougey has quietly rebuilt the Jets' foundation with trades, landing quarterback Geno Smith and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick as cornerstones of both the offense and defense.

Could Mougey continue his wheeling and dealing ways, all the way up into the 2026 NFL Draft?

Jets' Darren Mougey open to trading down in 2026 NFL Draft

Mougey's media appearance at the annual league owners' meetings featured a lot of questions and a lot of non-answers, as most well-trained NFL figures do with the media.

But the general manager did provide some interesting insight, especially regarding the Jets' willingness to make trades during the draft.

SNY's Connor Hughes shared that Mougey told reporters the team "is open to moving back" in April's draft, and that he'll pick up the phone if teams call.

It makes sense. It's not like the Jets are locked in on any top quarterback prospects with the No. 2 overall pick, and should be willing to move the selection if the right offer comes.

New York is probably open to the idea of picking up another first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, where the team already holds three first-round selections with an eye on a future quarterback.

In the short-term, the ideal trade sees the Jets moving back from No. 2 overall but remaining in the top 10. There, they could pick up a prospect such as wide receiver Carnell Tate or safety Caleb Downs, players who are the best at their respective positions, but not necessarily good enough to grab with the second pick in the draft.

All it will take is some other team falling in love with a player like edge rusher Arvell Reese, or running back Jeremiyah Love, who's been touted as one of the best overall prospects in the entire class.

Mougey's comments are likely him trying to drum up interest in the No. 2 pick, but as it takes with any NFL trade, it takes two to tango, and some other team will have to come knocking.