Post-draft report suggests Jets achieved their goal with 2026 haul

Entering the 2026 offseason, the New York Jets had one clear goal in mind. Raise the competitive floor of a team that finished 3-14 last year.

In free agency, they certainly achieved that. New York signed multiple veterans who expect to help bring some respectability back to the team, specifically on the defensive side of the football.

Linebacker Demario Davis, defensive tackle David Onyemata, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick all bring a level of stability to their respective positions that the Jets didn't have last year, and it didn't end with just free agency.

While not established stars, the Jets' 2026 NFL Draft haul added real talent to positions that the Jets desperately needed, and throughout this offseason, it feels like New York has achieved what it set out to do in the draft.

Jets' 2026 draft class raises the floor of the teams competitiveness

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt believes the Jets achieved their offseason goals in his post-draft report of New York's latest additions.

"The goal for the Jets was to raise the floor for a team that was often a disaster last season, especially on defense. It was clear Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn had to add stability after the Jets bottomed out in such a significant way at season’s end. The GM and coach did that in free agency by prioritizing proven veterans and leadership at positions of need. The way they went about the draft felt similar, especially at the top."

Zack Rosenblatt

It's not like the Jets have turned themselves into a playoff contender with just one offseason, but it does feel like they've taken one step forward in their rebuild.

New York needed a star off the edge after finishing 31st in sacks last season. They landed one in Texas Tech's David Bailey, the 2026 class's most polished edge. He led college football with 14.5 sacks in 2025 and should immediately inject some juice into the Jets' pass rush.

After not adding any pass catchers in free agency, the Jets used two first-round picks on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., two players who will have an immediate role within New York's offense.

The key to this offseason was supplementing the roster and building a solid foundation for the future of the organization, and if the Jets end up drafting a quarterback in 2027 (which is incredibly likely), he's stepping into a situation where he won't have to carry a football team, and that's thanks to a 2026 offseason that was dedicated to raising the floor of a poor roster.