Latest mock draft from The Athletic gives Jets perfect first-round scenario

At this point in the pre-draft process, everyone has seen just about every scenario that could play out in the 2026 NFL Draft for their team, including New York Jets fans.

Of course, there's always the ideal scenario of how things can play out, and for the Jets, it's hard to imagine a better way for April 23 to go than how Dane Brugler laid it out in his most recent mock draft for The Athletic.

In the first round, he has New York addressing their two biggest needs and getting two of the best prospects at those respective positions.

The Athletic mock draft has Jets grabbing Arvell Reese & Makai Lemon

Brugler's pick at No. 2 overall was Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, despite all the chatter in recent weeks about the Jets leaning more towards Texas Tech's David Bailey.

"A pass rusher, be it Reese or David Bailey, appears to be the Jets’ favorite. Reese isn’t a tweener — he is a “whatever you want him to be” edge defender. He can set an edge, play off or be a full-time pass rusher. That type of hybrid skill set can be utilized."

Dane Brugler

Some insiders insist the Jets are dead set on taking Bailey. They cite his high-floor as the reason why the warm-seated Aaron Glenn may want a win-now player on his defense.

But what that ignores is Reese's ability to contribute right away, not just as a pass rusher, but as an all-around defender. At Ohio State, the linebacker did it all, chasing down opposing quarterbacks, playing in coverage, and setting the edge as a run defender. He would be an incredible addition in New York.

At No. 16, Brugler expects USC wide receiver Makai Lemon to slip all the way down to the Jets, addressing arguably the biggest hole on their roster with a blue-chip prospect.

"The Jets not having a player with more than 400 receiving yards last season still blows my mind. Lemon doesn’t have elite size or speed, but he is extremely quarterback-friendly with his route manipulation and toughness."

Dane Brugler

Brugler compared Lemon's skillset to that of Detroit Lions superstar Amon-Ra St. Brown, a talent Glenn should be very familiar with.

Lemon immediately slides in as one of the Jets' starting wide receivers across from Garrett Wilson, and makes New York's pass-catching group much more respectable. A trio of Wilson, Lemon, and Adonai Mitchell can scare opposing defenses.

Among mock drafts that have come out as we inch closer and closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, this one arguably has the best possible outcome for the Jets, especially with one of those top wide receivers slipping all the way to No. 16.

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