Final Jets 7-round mock draft predicts big swing and trade up in Round 1

Draft day is finally upon us, and later this evening, the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft will finally kick off after months of anticipation.

The New York Jets essentially hold the keys to the entire draft in their hands; all the intrigue starts with the No. 2 overall pick. Everyone and their mother knows what the Las Vegas Raiders are doing with the No. 1 overall selection.

Will the pick be Ohio State's Arvell Reese? Or will surging favorite David Bailey be the choice out of Texas Tech? Even today, no one knows for sure.

In this final mock draft, the dream scenario for the Jets will be laid out heading into tonight's first round, and how it could get even better as we progress through Friday and Saturday.

Final Jets 7-round mock draft kicks off with LB Arvell Reese at No. 2

Based on comments made by Bailey on Wednesday, it seems like the Jets' interest in the Texas Tech pass rusher waned as the pre-draft process rolled on, making Reese the favorite to be selected with the No. 2 overall pick.

Round 1, Pick 2: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Reese may be the most athletically gifted prospect in the entire 2026 class. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at roughly 240 pounds, the Jet Press's draft expert Mike Luciano says he "plays with the strength of someone 50 pounds heavier." Despite needing time to develop into a pass rusher, he comes in immediately as an elite off-ball linebacker.

When it comes to the No. 2 overall pick, the Jets need to make sure they find themselves a star, and while Bailey could be one of the league's better pass rushers, Reese has a chance of becoming one of the best all-around defenders in the NFL.

Instead of hoping for one of the class's top wide receivers to fall to No. 16, the Jets get aggressive and swing a trade with the Washington Commanders to move up to No. 7.

Round 1, Pick 7: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Tyson, especially in recent weeks, has emerged as the top wide receiver prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite his injury concerns, the explosive playmaking he brings to the table is too much for NFL teams to pass up.

At 6-foot-2, he could finally be the true X-receiver the Jets have been trying to pair up with Garrett Wilson. If he stays healthy, Tyson would make the New York wide receiver room one of the best in the league.

After trading away their other second-round pick, the Jets could try to move back from No. 33, recouping another Day 2 pick to continue building out the roster. Instead, we'll stick and pick here.

Round 2, Pick 33: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

It may not seem like it after an active free agency, but safety is still a need for the Jets. Minkah Fitzpatrick will be playing closer to the line of scrimmage as the nickel cornerback, and they'll have Malachi Moore, Andre Cisco, and Dane Belton playing deep safety.

Neither of those three guys has shown enough as of late to be considered Day 1 starters. Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, on the other hand, may have the upside to step in and start right away.

Luciano believes McNeil-Warren is at his best when playing as a centerfield roaming safety, and that's exactly what he would be for the Jets if selected here.

Round 4, Pick 103: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama

Despite having their five starters set on the offensive line heading into 2026, the Jets aren't necessarily secure in the long-term, especially on the interior.

They added Dylan Parham as a replacement for Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson this offseason, but his contract essentially boils down to a one-year deal that gives the Jets an easy out in 2027. They should look to add a long-term interior option at some point in the draft.

Enter Alabama's Parker Brailsford, Pro Football Focus's 105th-ranked center out of 307 qualified players. He allowed only 10 pressures and gave up one sack and two hits. He's not a Day 1 starter, but could have the chance to usurp either Parham or Josh Myers in 2027.

Round 4, Pick 140: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

The Jets had a linebacker problem in 2025. To rectify the problem, they let Quincy Williams walk in free agency and added Demario Davis to bring some respect back to the defense.

But New York still needs someone in the wings to take over after the 37-year-old Davis walks away from football, and that could be LSU's Harold Perkins Jr.

A five-star recruit out of high school, Perkins never quite lived up to those expectations in college. His athletic upside is what will get him drafted. The Jets can take a chance here on a guy who can sit and learn throughout his rookie season from one of the best linebackers in the modern era.

Round 5, Pick 179: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

The Jets are going to take a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft; it's just a matter of what round and which prospect. There's certainly a contingent of fans who wouldn't mind seeing the team take a swing at Ty Simpson in late Round 1 or early Day 2, but New York is better off using those premium picks on players who will help them win now.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is not going to help the Jets win right now, but he's a project worth taking on. He has some of the best physical traits of any signal caller in the upcoming class.

At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, he has the ideal size for an NFL quarterback. The problem is the mental aspect of his game. Allar needs time to sit and learn before he has any business starting in the pros.

Round 7, Pick 228: DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson

New York did a good job of overhauling their defensive line room this offseason. They signed veteran David Onyemata in free agency and traded for T'Vondre Sweat to be their new nose tackle. But they need more in the rotation with Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.

They should look to add a defensive lineman in the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, to add a younger face in the mix with the older veterans like Onyemata and Phillips. Clemson defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart could be that guy.

Despite not being the most polished player, Capehart was still a massive presence for Clemson this past season at the heart of their defensive line. He recorded one sack, seven hurries, and three hits this past season.

Round 7, Pick 242: Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College

Despite adding Tyson in Round 1, the Jets still need more depth at the wide receiver position and should add at least two in the 2026 NFL Draft. Taking a dart throw here on Boston College's Lewis Bond is worth the draft pick.

Bonds, a redshirt senior, had a nice season for the Eagles in 2025. He hauled in 88 receptions for 993 yards and a single touchdown, grading out as Pro Football Focus's 153rd-best wide receiver.

Despite not being the most explosive athlete, he limited his drops to only three and proved he at least brings a certain floor with him to the NFL. He can compete with the likes of Arian Smith to be WR4 in training camp.

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