Jets confident in their 4 2026 NFL Draft trade-ups despite 1 questionable move

The New York Jets had one of the best hauls of the 2026 NFL Draft, landing four premier players in the top 50 picks and finding value later on down the board, especially on Day 3.

What helped the Jets in that department was their multitude of trades. They moved up the draft board, they moved down the draft board; anywhere general manager Darren Mougey could find value, he went after it.

It's why New York has gotten such positive reviews of their 2026 draft class. Not only did they pick (hopefully) good players, but they went out and got the ones they wanted at valuable spots.

In fact, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed that New York was using multiple trade calculations and simulators to make their deals, including a system utilized by two-time Super Bowl champion Jimmy Johnson.

Jets' believe they succeeded in all of their 2026 NFL Draft trades

According to Fowler, the Jets were comfortable with all of their 2026 NFL Draft trades, thanks to the players they got and the price of the transactions.

"The Jets executed four trades last week -- and used at least six trade calculations or simulators to make their draft-day moves. They also utilize the old Jimmy Johnson-based points system that's still considered effective by some teams. New York believes it succeeded in all of its trade-ups based on its projections of what it could have if staying put, as well as what it gave up."

Jeremy Fowler

The first trade the Jets made was arguably their best. Instead of waiting and hoping for Omar Cooper Jr. to fall to them at No. 33 overall, New York sent the San Francisco 49ers their pick at the top of Round 2 and No. 179 to secure their wide receiver of choice.

Then, in the second round, the Jet moved down from pick No. 44 to No. 50, recouping an extra fourth-round pick from the Detroit Lions, and landing Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds in the process. This deal is made even better considering the fact that Ponds was considered by some to be a first-round talent.

Probably the most questionable trade the Jets ended up making was in the fourth round, when New York dealt two fourth-rounders to the Cincinnati Bengals, moving up to No. 110 and receiving an extra sixth-round pick in the deal.

It was for Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, who was the only signal caller selected in the fourth round. Another quarterback didn't come off the board until the fifth round when the Philadelphia Eagles selected NDSU's Cole Payton.

Did the Jets really need to trade up for Klubnik? We'll likely never know for sure, but it feels like this one may have been a little too aggressive.

Finally, in the sixth round, the Jets traded up, sending an extra seventh-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Miami guard Anez Cooper. This deal was harmless enough; a seventh-round pick is a true dart throw, and if New York was that infatuated with the offensive line, it was worth going up to get him.

The dust has settled on the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Jets' picks won't truly be graded until these players hit their ceiling. Only then will we be able to get a grasp on whether these trades were worth it.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow