Jets 2-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft after Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams trade

The New York Jets are ripping this roster apart as Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey try to build for the future, trading away defensive cornerstones Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. The future is now, and the 2026 NFL Draft will not be even more era-defining than many expected.

Gardner was sent to the Indianapolis Colts for Adonai Mitchell and two first-round picks, while the Jets acquired Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick from the Dallas Cowboys for Williams. The Jets now have five first-round picks in the next two years, and they have four picks currently projected to be in the top 50 selections.

The Jets not only have the ability to land a possible franchise quarterback in a 2026 class that is full of quality prospects, but they can rebuild their defensive line on the fly while still having enough capital left over to get that new quarterback some extra receivers to play with.

Jets 2-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft after Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams trades

Round 1, Pick 3: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

With the New Orleans Saints looking more likely to take a quarterback, the worse Tyler Shough plays and the Tennessee Titans in prime Rueben Bain territory, the Jets might miss out on Indiana Heisman contender Fernando Mendoza if they don't land a Top 2 pick. Mougey may be forced to choose between Moore, Alabama's Ty Simpson, and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers.

Of the three, Moore might have the strongest arm and the best accuracy from the pocket on shorter and deep passes. If Moore thrives behind this good offensive line, the Jets might be able to turn things around quicker than most expected and reverse years of futility at the position.

Round 1, Pick 32: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs are two rock-solid defensive tackles, but both of them combined don't have the pass-rush upside Williams brought to the mix. If the Jets want a defensive tackle and a consensus top 10 pick in Clemson's Peter Woods is off the board, they may be forced to choose between Banks and Oregon's A'Mauri Washington.

Washington is the better run stuffer, but Banks is a tremendous pass-rusher with some genuinely spectacular athletic ability for someone that is his size. Banks, Phillips, and Briggs all can play roles in the remade defensive line, even as Williams' hole looks like quite an ominous one to plug.

Round 2, Pick 35: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

The Jets might just miss out on that second tier of late-first pass rushers like Texas Tech's David Bailey, Texas A&M's Cashius Howell, and Oregon's Mayato Uiagalelei. Of the next tier, which includes names like Tennessee's Joshua Josephs and Alabama's LT Overton, Thomas may have the highest pass rush upside.

Even though Thomas is closer to Will McDonald than Jermaine Johnson due to his poor run defense, his tireless motor and quick first step should help give the Jets the juice off the edge that only McDonald seems to have. Thomas adding some weight and stopping the run at a passible degree is imperative for success in the NFL.

Round 2, Pick 46: Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC

Even if the Jets turn Mitchell into a player and get a No. 2 wide receiver in free agency, they need to invest a top pick into a bigger-bodied X receiver. Picking this late might lead to Louisville's Chris Bell or Tennessee's Chris Brazzell flying off the board, but Lane could sate their desire later.

Lane has a lean frame and isn't a great route-runner, but his 6-foot-4 body could give the Jets a demon in the red zone and on vertical routes they just don't have on their roster right now. Lane and Garrett Wilson should be targeted early and often by Moore in this new offense.