Jets NFL Draft Tracker 2026: Full list of picks, roster needs, targets, and more

The New York Jets enter the 2026 NFL Draft with momentum and a chance to accelerate the rebuild in Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey’s second offseason leading the organization.

After yet another disappointing three-win campaign last year, the Jets have four picks in the top 44 and plenty of ammunition to address their remaining roster needs. That said, the hard part has yet to be completed.

The Jets were aggressive this offseason, trading for Geno Smith to become their new starting quarterback while also adding talent on both sides of the ball. The team brought in Minkah Fitzpatrick and T’Vondre Sweat via trade, while free-agent additions like Joseph Ossai and Demario Davis.

There is, of course, still work to be done, though. The Jets have multiple needs remaining and will look to use this draft class to continue building a more competitive roster for 2026 and beyond.

With premium picks and a new regime in place, this weekend could go a long way toward showing the franchise is finally moving in the right direction.

Bookmark this page to stay up to date with all things Jets draft related throughout the weekend!

Jets draft snapshot

Current draft capital: Picks No. 2, No. 16, No. 33, No. 44, No. 103, No. 140, No. 179, No. 228, No. 242
Primary needs: WR, EDGE, QB, S, CB, OL, LB
Latest mock selection: Arvell Reese, Jordyn Tyson
Last updated: April 20, 7:00 pm ET

The Jets still have a number of needs to address in this year's draft, but wide receiver feels like the only position the team must target with one of their top-44 picks. The No. 16 slot feels like a prime landing spot for a wideout.

The good news is the Jets have no shortage of draft capital to fill their remaining roster holes, with four top-44 selections. General manager Darren Mougey will have his hands full this weekend.

Draft pick tracker

Pick	Player
2	TBD
16	TBD
33	TBD
44	TBD
103	TBD
140	TBD
179	TBD
228	TBD
242	TBD

Best remaining draft targets

Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

Ohio State hybrid linebacker Arvell Reese remains the favorite to be the Jets’ pick at No. 2 overall. While there are questions about his projection to full-time edge rusher after spending much of his college career as an off-ball linebacker, few prospects in this class can match his upside.

Reese offers a rare blend of explosiveness, range, and pass-rush potential that could make him a game-changing front-seven defender at the next level. He has legitimate All-Pro upside if his traits translate and still feels like the most likely selection for the Jets entering draft week.

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey is the other name most commonly linked to the Jets at No. 2 overall. If the Jets pass on Reese, Bailey appears to be the most realistic alternative.

He is widely viewed as the most accomplished pure pass rusher in this class after recording 14.5 sacks in his lone season at Texas Tech and earning unanimous All-American honors.

Bailey offers a higher floor as an immediate pass rusher, but there are some questions about his long-term ceiling. He’ll be 23 before his rookie season begins, and run defense remains a weakness that could limit his every-down role early in his career. Still, if the Jets prioritize proven pass-rush production over projection, Bailey could be the pick.

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Jets also hold the No. 16 overall pick, where wide receiver feels like the most likely target. One of the top pass catchers in this class is USC star Makai Lemon, who many view as the best pure route runner available.

Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award last season as college football’s top receiver and consistently wins with polish, separation, and reliability. If he is still on the board at No. 16, the Jets could have a difficult time passing on him despite his lack of size and mediocre athleticism.

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in this class and has firmly worked his way into the top tier of receivers. There is even a world in which he comes off the board before Lemon.

Cooper helped Indiana win a national championship last season as one of the top playmakers in its offense. With the ability to line up outside or in the slot, he feels like a versatile receiver whose game could translate even better at the NFL level.

Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State

If the Jets pass on wide receiver at No. 16, Penn State guard Vega Ioane is a player who could make plenty of sense if he is still on the board. Ioane is widely viewed as the top interior offensive lineman in this draft class and projects as an immediate Day 1 starter.

The Jets are still searching for long-term answers at both left guard and center, even after signing former Raiders starter Dylan Parham in free agency. Ioane’s pro-ready skill set could make him an attractive option if the Jets choose to invest even more in their young offensive line.

Updated Jets depth chart

Offense

QB: Geno Smith, Brady Cook, Bailey Zappe
RB: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
FB: Andrew Beck
WR: Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams, Arian Smith
TE: Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods
OL: Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Xavier Newman

The Jets seem certain to target a wide receiver early in this draft, which is good news for a receiving corps that currently features Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith as WR3 and WR4, respectively.

Don't rule out the Jets adding an interior offensive lineman at some point as well, with Dylan Parham and Josh Myers not exactly locked into starting jobs. Quarterback, of course, could also be addressed, likely on Day 3 of the draft.

Defense

IDL: Jowon Briggs, Harrison Phillips, T'Vondre Sweat, David Onyemata
EDGE: Will McDonald, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, Tyler Baron
LB: Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Mykal Walker, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
CB: Brandon Stephens, Azareye'h Thomas, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Nahshon Wright, Qwan'tez Stiggers
S: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Malachi Moore, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco

The Jets have invested heavily in their defense this offseason, but there are still a few positions that could use revamping. The team is essentially guaranteed to add another edge rusher, be it either Arvell Reese or David Bailey at No. 2 overall.

The Jets could also benefit from adding another piece to their linebacker room, as well as another defensive back. There isn't a cornerback on the roster locked into a starting job beyond 2026, while safety is also a position that could use some work.

Tracking the AFC East rivals

Buffalo Bills:

Round 1, Pick 26
Round 3, Pick 91
Round 4, Pick 126
Round 5, Pick 165
Round 5, Pick 168
Round 6, Pick 182
Round 7, Pick 220

The Bills only have one pick in the top-90 selections to improve a roster that took a step back last season. Buffalo could use some defensive reinforcements, but might also look to address wide receiver in Joe Brady's first year as head coach.

Miami Dolphins:

Round 1, Pick 11
Round 1, Pick 30
Round 2, Pick 43
Round 3, Pick 75
Round 3, Pick 87
Round 3, Pick 90
Round 3, Pick 94
Round 4, Pick 130
Round 5, Pick 151
Round 7, Pick 227
Round 7, Pick 238

The Dolphins are one of the few teams that can rival the Jets in draft capital this season, with a whopping six top-100 selections, including multiple first-round picks, thanks to the Jaylen Waddle trade. Miami needs help a lot of roster help, most notably at wide receiver, edge defender, and cornerback.

New England Patriots:

Round 1, Pick 31
Round 2, Pick 63
Round 3, Pick 95
Round 4, Pick 125
Round 4, Pick 131
Round 5, Pick 171
Round 6, Pick 191
Round 6, Pick 198
Round 6, Pick 202
Round 6, Pick 212
Round 7, Pick 247

The defending AFC champion Patriots have a total of 11 picks to bolster one of the stronger rosters in the NFL. Expect New England to target positions such as edge defender, offensive tackle, and possibly even tight end early in this draft.

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