Jets 7-round mock draft starts with the new favorite at No. 2 overall

With the 2026 NFL Draft getting closer and closer, draft odds and team preferences are starting to become clearer by the day.

In the New York Jets' case, it seems like all the interest has completely turned around, flipping from Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese to Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.

How would the Jets' draft class look if they decide on picking up the pure pass rusher, rather than the jack-of-all-trades hybrid player?

Jets 7-round mock draft begins with Texas Tech edge David Bailey

Round 1, Pick 2: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech

Jets fans are going to be fighting amongst themselves until April 23 about who should be the No. 2 overall pick, when in reality, there isn't a wrong answer. Reese has the most upside, but Bailey is the best pure pass rusher in the class right now. He should be able to help jump-start a Jets' pass rush that finished with the 31st-least amount of sacks in 2025.

Round 1, Pick 16: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

With the big three wide receivers off the board, the Jets pivot to Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16. Despite drafting Mason Taylor in the second round last year and inking Jeremy Ruckert to an extension, New York gets a 6-foot-3, 241-pound weapon to use in the passing game. Imagine the 12 personnel the Jets could run with Sadiq in the mix?

Round 2, Pick 33: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Just because the Jets miss out on one of the top wide receivers doesn't mean they aren't going to scoop someone up, and they nab Denzel Boston here at the top of the second round. They added size at tight end with Sadiq, and now they add even more with the 6-foot-4 Boston. He projects as a prototypical X receiver, something New York could use across from Garrett Wilson.

Round 2, Pick 44: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

The Jets suffered some tough losses on the interior of their offensive line in free agency, but added guard Dylan Parham as a replacement. But when you pull back the curtain on Parham's contract, it's essentially a one-year deal, with no guarantees in year two. In Emmanuel Pregnon, they get the hopeful long-term starter who can learn from the sidelines in his rookie year.

Round 4, Pick 103: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

Defensive line was a weakness for the Jets at the start of the offseason, but after trading for T'Vondre Sweat and signing David Onyemata in free agency, the group looks a lot better. That doesn't change the fact that their defensive line room is relatively old, and they should look to add a young face in the draft. Enter Gracen Halton, Pro Football Focus's 16th-ranked defensive lineman in 2025. He could have a rotational role right away.

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

In a similar vein to the defensive line, the Jets emphasized overhauling their linebacker room in free agency. They let Quincy Williams walk, and added five-time All-Pro Demario Davis. The veteran is 37 years old, though, and New York needs someone waiting in the wings. LSU's Harold Perkins Jr. could be that guy. The former five-star recruit can learn from one of the best in the league and replace either Davis or Jamien Sherwood.

Round 5, Pick 179: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

The Jets selecting a quarterback is a matter of when, not if, in the 2026 NFL Draft, and in this mock draft, they grab North Dakota State's Cole Payton in the fifth round. Payton was Pro Football Focus's highest-graded quarterback in 2025 and threw for 2,719 yards along with 16 touchdowns. He may not be the future franchise quarterback the Jets are looking for, but he has a chance of developing into the long-term backup or spot starter.

Round 7, Pick 228,: Reggie Virgil, WR, Texas Tech

New York has yet to make an addition at wide receiver this offseason, so it seems like they plan at taking multiple swings at the position in the draft. After adding Boston at No. 33, they grab Reggie Virgil here in the seventh round. The Texas Tech wideout had 705 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, but is a relatively raw prospect. He wouldn't be asked to contribute right away, and can develop behind Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and Boston.

Round 7, Pick 242: Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC

The Jets don't have many long-term plans at safety. 2025 fourth-round pick Malachi Moore was okay at times last season, but didn't do enough to earn a starting job. They have two veterans on one-year deals in Andre Cisco and Dane Belton, and traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick, but they could still use another new face. USC's Bishop Fitzgerald could be a long-term project. He was graded as Pro Football Focus's seventh-best safety in college football last season.