Jets make confusing picks in Dane Brugler's first 2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler dropped his first 2026 NFL Mock Draft of the year on Wednesday, and he projected the New York Jets to walk away with a pair of first-rounders that will definitely raise some eyebrows.

At No. 7 overall, Brugler has the Jets selecting Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson in a move that absolutely tracks if the Jets don’t trade up for a quarterback. But things get a little stranger at pick No. 23 with Brugler mocking South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse to the Jets via the Indianapolis Colts pick.

Brugler’s scenario includes two trade-ups for quarterbacks, with the Browns moving to No. 1 for Indiana star Fernando Mendoza and the Raiders jumping to No. 2 for Oregon’s Dante Moore, leaving the Jets to stand pat. Tyson at seven makes some sense. Cisse at 23 is where things get confusing.

The Jets never had a shot at the top defensive talents, as Arvell Reese went No. 3 to the Saints, Auburn’s Keldric Falk surprisingly went No. 5, and Miami star Rueben Bain Jr. landed with Washington at No. 6.

They had a chance to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, but using a top-seven pick on a safety would be a tough sell. With the blue-chip defenders gone and the top quarterbacks already scooped up in trade-ups, Tyson made sense. That said, there was one surprising element to the pick.

Brugler had Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson falling all the way to No. 14. Simpson has been projected as a top-10 pick for months, and while his stock has dipped recently, seeing him slide outside the top 10 and past the Jets is a notable twist. Brugler even mentioned that Simpson might return to school.

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Jets select WR Jordyn Tyson and CB Brandon Cisse in Dane Brugler's first 2026 NFL Mock Draft

As for Tyson, despite missing time this season due to injury, the former consensus WR1 is still one of the most gifted players in the class. Brugler even likened him to prime Stefon Diggs.

Tyson posted 75 catches, 1,101 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 2024 and has remained productive this season (61/711/8 in nine games). If the Jets don’t trade up, Tyson is a completely defensible pick, especially as they look for another true difference-maker alongside Garrett Wilson.

But the real head-scratcher is the Jets’ second first-round pick. Cisse is a rising prospect with tools and upside, but he’s nowhere near a consensus first-rounder yet, and, more importantly, cornerback is arguably one of the least pressing needs on the Jets’ roster.

The Jets seem pretty committed to their trio of Brandon Stephens, Azareye’h Thomas, and Jarvis Brownlee Jr., all of whom are under contract and playing well. Taking another outside corner this early wouldn't make a ton of sense given the roster construction.

And it’s not like the board lacked better fits. Brugler has names like Texans A&M EDGE Cashius Howell, Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker, Georgia LB C.J. Allen, and Florida DT Caleb Banks all still available at 23, each of whom feels like a far more realistic Jets target.

Tyson at No. 7 is easy to defend. Passing on Simpson is also understandable. But Cisse in the first round is certainly a surprise. If this mock played out on draft night, Jets fans would probably be celebrating one pick and scratching their heads at the other.