NY Jets forced into panic pick after Bills steal another perfect draft target

The New York Jets have had a strong start to the 2025 NFL Draft, but they have also been tormented by one division rival at every turn.

After a promising Day 1 and Day 2, the Buffalo Bills have now traded in front of the Jets three separate times, each time stealing a player many believed could have been a perfect fit in New York.

The latest sting came early on Day 3, when the Bills jumped the Jets at pick No. 109 to select Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker, one pick before the Jets were on the clock at No. 110.

Forced to pivot quickly, the Jets made their most confusing pick of the draft, selecting Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith. A pure speed threat with major drop issues, Smith was widely projected as a late Day 3 or even undrafted prospect.

While Smith’s athleticism is enticing, it is hard to shake the feeling that the Jets made a panic pick after losing out on yet another target to Buffalo.

Bills keep spoiling the NY Jets' draft plans

This was not an isolated incident, either. The Bills previously traded up to No. 41 in the second round to draft defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, one pick ahead of the Jets' selection at No. 42.

In that same trade, the Bills landed the No. 72 to draft Arkansas pass rusher Landon Jackson before the Jets picked Azareye'h Thomas at No. 73. Three times, the Bills moved up right before the Jets. Three times, the Jets were left scrambling for a backup plan.

The selections of Taylor and Thomas were widely praised as the cornerstones of this new era and the kind of picks that validate the Jets’ "best player available" strategy.

Both players were regarded highly by analysts and fans alike, with Taylor expected to plug a huge gap at tight end and Thomas adding value on the defensive side. They received near-universal approval, making the Jets’ approach look smart and disciplined so far.

In stark contrast, the Smith addition comes across as a panic pick. Smith, who was brought in on a top-30 visit, was projected to be available much later in the draft.

With his raw speed overshadowed by drop issues and limited route-running ability, the decision to grab him at pick 110 feels like a desperate fallback after the Bills repeatedly snatched up a potential target right in front of the Jets.

Deone Walker would have been a near-perfect pick for the Jets at this stage of the draft. A 330-pound defensive lineman with rare movement skills and raw athleticism, Walker offers the kind of upside you simply do not find often.

While he remains a work in progress, his blend of size, strength, and footwork made him one of the most intriguing defensive tackles still on the board.

For a Jets team with a clear need on the interior, where Derrick Nnadi projects as a low-ceiling starter alongside Quinnen Williams and recent additions like Byron Cowart and Jay Tufele are viewed more as depth pieces, Walker could have been a foundational building block. Instead, the Bills pounced first, forcing the Jets to pivot once again.

The Bills have spent this draft quietly tormenting the Jets at every turn, repeatedly jumping ahead and throwing a wrench into their plans. After a strong start, the Jets may have been forced into their first real misstep, and Buffalo’s fingerprints are all over it.

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