Jets All-Defense 2026 NFL Mock Draft builds Aaron Glenn an elite unit

The New York Jets are still looking for a franchise quarterback, but some of the offensive pieces around that QB spot are actually worth investing in. The defense is a problem, as Aaron Glenn was unable to get the most out of a unit lacking depth in essentially every big area.

The Jets have four picks in the top 50 in the 2026 NFL Draft. With oodles of cap space, New York might be inclined to overpay for a standout wide receiver while using the draft capital to add some young talent on Glenn and new DC Brian Duker's side of the ball.

If the Jets use all four of their top picks on the defensive side of the ball, which may not be the worst idea in the world if they splurge on the offensive side in free agency, following this plan would be wise.

New York Jets All-Defense 2-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

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

Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. is a high-floor wrecking ball on the edge, and Texas Tech's David Bailey will be piling up the sacks, but in terms of having the highest ceiling in this class, Reese's versatility and mind-bending athletic ability could be enough to clinch the top spot if Fernando Mendoza is excluded.

Reese split time between inside linebacker and edge rusher last year, but he could develop into a genuinely freakish missile on the outside in the pros with a full season of reps under his belt. Reese is the kind of player an entire defense can be built around.

Round 1, Pick 16: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Styles is the best pure inside linebacker in this class, and he could be the MIKE starter the Jets have been looking for. Not only is Styles a smart player who is a vacuum when it comes to making plays in run defense, but it could also help Jamien Sherwood switch back to his old position, where he had a ton of success.

Round 2, Pick 33: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Hunter has seen his stock shoot up at the Senior Bowl, even in a class that is regarded as very deep at defensive tackle. Hunter is a space-eater in the middle that serves as both a great compliment to Jowon Briggs and a long-term successor to the aging Harrison Phillips.

Round 2, Pick 44: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Jets could consider a player like Oregon's Dillon Thieneman earlier, but McNeil-Warren is one heck of a consolation prize. Not only is he 6-2 and in possession of some truly impressive hitting power, but he plays with his hair on fire and covers a ton of ground in zone coverage.