2026 NFL Draft: Final Jets Wire staff mock predictions
· Yahoo Sports
With the 2026 NFL Draft nearly here, the staff at Jets Wire has put together our final predictions for the event in a mock.
Our mock predictions are for the New York Jets' picks that are in the first two days of this year's draft. On those days, we'll see Rounds 1-3 unfold and in that area the Jets have four selections at Nos. 2, 16, 33, and 44.
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Making mock projections for each of those picks will be Jets Wire editor Nick Wojton along with contributing writers Geoffrey Knox and Craig Moffett.
Jets Wire's full final 2026 mock draft can be found below:
Round 1, pick No. 2
Wojton's pick: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State.
It's down to either Reese or Bailey here. We've seen a lot of reports indicating the Jets want both players. Because Reese is considered the one to have a higher potential and a personal feeling that Bailey talk is more of a "smokescreen" to entice potential trades, Reese is the pick. Reese has an NFL build and versatility that he'd bring to the Jets
Knox's pick: ED David Bailey, Texas Tech.
The top two edge rushers in this draft are Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey. Both lack what is often called 'NFL size', though for some, it's hard to say two six-foot-three athletes lack length.
Anyway, that won't scare off the Jets here. Bailey has been linked to New York with the second overall selection for a while now, and though Bain might be the best pass rusher in this class by a slight margin, no one will complain about adding a bona fide pass rusher to a Brian Duker-led defense that needs one.
Moffett's pick: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State.
There's definitely been some speculation the Jets could select Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with this pick. Bailey wouldn't be a bad selection at this spot, but many consider Reese to be the top player in the entire draft and after the Jets cancelled their visit with Bailey, it sounds like they are leaning towards the Ohio State linebacker.
With the Jets using plenty of different fronts now that Aaron Glenn is calling the plays on defense, he can have Reese line up as an outside linebacker or as a defensive end in a 4-3. Reese had eight sacks last season and 23 pressures. He'll slide right in on the outside and be an impact player the minute he walks through the doors at Florham Park.
Round 1, pick No. 16
Wojton's pick: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana.
There could be a few wide receivers on the Jets' radar in this area. Cooper has dynamic ability and could be an asset. In 16 games played last year, Cooper had 69 catches, 937 yards and 13 touchdowns and won the National Championship. On top of his skill, the Jets brought Cooper in for a top-30 visit.
Knox's pick: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana.
It's been months, and it has become impossible to find negative feedback on Omar Cooper Jr. Some have actually compared him to prime Deebo Samuel.
Time will tell. Cooper hasn't played a down of professional football yet, but teamed with Garrett Wilson, it will be hard to imagine scenarios where the pairing fails.
Moffett's pick: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon.
Sadiq is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He's 6'3, 241 lbs. and ran a 4.36 40 yard dash at the combine. He led all tight ends with eight touchdowns last year and generated 214 yards after the catch. He may be listed as a tight end, but he's an explosive athlete who can line up as a slot receiver in Frank Reich's offense.
While Mason Taylor is the team's starting tight end, he's also coming off a neck injury so the Jets will probably bring him back slowly through training camp. But, drafting Sadiq doesn't mean Taylor's role is in jeopardy and Frank Reich will find a way to have both on the field. Geno Smith had a great tight end with the Raiders in Brock Bowers. He'll have another one with the Jets in Sadiq.
Round 2, pick No. 33
Wojton's pick: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee.
The Jets and Hood have met pre-draft and there have been additional reports that the team likes him. While the Jets have the likes of Brandon Stephens and Azareye'h Thomas at cornerback, a defense that failed to even record a single interception last season could use additions in the secondary. The six-foot defensive back broke up five passes and hauled in a interception last season. Hood had two interceptions in 2024 as well.
Knox's pick: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama.
Some have connected the Jets to TY Simpson at 16. Arguments can be made that he'll still be available at the top of the second round. In this scenario, new offensive coordinator Frank Reich gets lucky.
New York could bet on Geno Smith for a year and wait to add a franchise QB next April, but this class is deeper at other positions than it is at quarterback. After watching Sam Darnold grow into a functional signal-caller and win a Super Bowl elsewhere, it's time the Jets find their face of the franchise.
Moffett's pick: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo.
The Jets complete the overhaul of the safety position with the selection of McNeil-Warren, a player with plenty of size (6'3", 209 lbs.) and a PFF coverage grade of 92.1, ranking him second out of 914 safeties.
He had two interceptions and three forced fumbles last season for Toledo, has excellent closing speed on the ball and holds his own on short and intermediate routes. The Jets added Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton to the secondary to go along with Malachi Moore, their fourth-round pick from last year. Adding McNeil-Warren to the secondary should make this unit dangerous and primed for forcing plenty of turnovers after they failed to do last season.
Round 2, pick No. 44
Wojton's pick: ED Malachi Lawrence, UCF.
Lawrence is another Jets' top-30 visit and an NFL ready prospect thanks to his 6-foot-4, 253-pound size. Lawrence has potential to win battles in the trenches both on the inside and outside which matches well with the different fronts the Jets could start showing in 2026.
Knox's pick: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee.
Many view Jermod McCoy as the top cornerback in this class who is not named Mansoor Delane. That's all attributable to his 2024 tape because injury kept him from playing last season.
What we learned in his absence was that teams would test Colton Hood after assuming CB1 responsibilities. That led to a discovery, three of them actually. First, Hood was up for the challenge. Second, inexperience (one full season as a starter) led to some understandable, inconsistent play at times. Third, he needs further development, but also has the stuff to compete at the next level. That's okay. That's why NFL teams hire position coaches.
Other prospects like D'Angelo Ponds and Brandon Cisse may also be available when the Jets are on the clock here. Cisse may lack the physicality that an Aaron Glenn-led team will want to play with, while Ponds. at five-foot-nine, grades out as a slot corner at the next level.
Moffett's pick: WR Chris Bell, Louisville.
After landing Kenyon Sadiq in the first round, the Jets add another big receiver in Bell, who had seven touchdowns last year with the Cardinals. Bell is 6'2", 227 lbs. and will bring plenty of playmaking ability to the Jets offense. He's got quick feet and is very reliable in the middle of the field.
The downside is that Bell tore his ACL towards the end of the 2025 season and couldn't participate in any pre-draft workouts. The Jets will probably add another veteran receiver at some point before training camp and they can bring Bell along slowly in his recovery. Once cleared, he'll be an impact player for this Jets offense who will take plenty of pressure off of Garrett Wilson and be another weapon for Geno Smith.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets Wire staff final 2026 NFL Draft mock predictions