Jets given alternate route to land wide receiver in 2026 NFL Draft

The New York Jets have consistently been mocked to grab a wide receiver at No. 16 overall, and for good reason. Behind Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, they virtually have nothing.

2025 fourth-round pick Arian Smith had a disappointing rookie season to say the least, and Isaiah Williams is a return specialist. The Jets cannot go into the 2026 season with their wide receiver room as currently constructed.

Team brass is likely keeping their fingers crossed that one of those top wideouts makes it to pick No. 16, but there's a good chance that Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon could be off the board. Some analysts have projected a Jets trade up, jumping back into the top 10 so they can have their pick of the litter.

But what if instead of moving up, the Jets trade down and get one of the 2026 NFL Draft's lesser-valued wide receiver prospects at a more palatable pick?

Jets trade down in new mock draft from The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt

Instead of reaching for a player who likely isn't worth the 16th pick in the draft, The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt has the Jets trading down with the Los Angeles Chargers, moving back several spots, picking up a third-round selection they don't currently have, and an early Day 3 pick in 2027.

"I’m not confident in Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate and/or Makai Lemon making it to No. 16 — though of the three, Lemon feels the most likely right now. Perhaps Mougey will look to trade up, but I also like the idea of trading back here, picking up a third (they don’t currently have one) and picking up a pass-catcher a little later in the round."

Zack Rosenblatt

With pick No. 22, Rosenblatt then has the Jets pivoting to Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., a popular mock draft pick at No. 16.

Cooper is a wide receiver who has been linked to the Jets multiple times throughout the pre-draft process. He isn't typically grouped in with the class's top receivers, but is still considered a first-round pick.

If New York isn't comfortable with taking a player of his stature at No. 16, moving back is certainly the best possible option. Not only would they recoup a draft pick they don't have in the third round (thank you, Joe Douglas), but they can still get a hopeful starter across from Wilson and Mitchell.

Cooper and some extra draft picks aren't a bad consolation prize if the Jets can't get their hands on Tate, Tyson, or Lemon, and if a trade is available to them, it's absolutely something Darren Mougey should look for.

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