Since November 4th, it seemed like the Jets were starting to turn a corner.
That was the day general manager Darren Mosley made the big move, trading standout players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to the Colts and Cowboys. In exchange, the Jets received a first and second-round pick for this year, as well as two additional first-round selections for 2027.
Mosley insisted it wasn’t a “teardown.” Yet, there was a palpable sense that the Jets were deep into rebuilding mode. The remainder of the 2025 season felt like a long, drawn-out effort that pointed solely toward the offseason. Even before Thanksgiving, as people were figuring out their holiday plans, Jets fans were already eyeing the upcoming draft.
After what felt like endless months of speculation and mock drafts, the time had finally come.
The Jets now hold the No. 2 and No. 16 picks in the first round on Thursday, along with the 33rd and 44th picks in the second round on Friday. This presents a significant opportunity for Mosley to reshape the team, aiming to shift a dismal 3-14 record into a more competitive status.
“I believe we can be competitive and respectable right away next year,” Mosley said following the 2025 season.
The next couple of days could be pivotal for this process, or, you know, if the draft doesn’t go as planned, it could really set them back.
Speculation has been swirling for months about the Raiders’ intention to pick Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall. Now, it’s the Jets who have to make their decision.
It seems the choice is narrowing down to Ohio State’s Abel Reese and Texas Tech’s David Bailey. But, honestly, nobody seems to have a solid idea of which way the Jets might lean. Opinions in the draft community have been all over the place.
Reese is anticipated to switch from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher, a position where Bailey really shined last season. While some see Reese with a higher upside, Bailey comes with more visibility.
One curious detail that could hint at the Jets’ intentions—though it might not mean much—is that they scrapped their “Top 30” visit with Bailey. Mosley mentioned not to read too much into that. Conversely, some folks believe it suggests the Jets are leaning towards Reese, thinking they want to maximize time with the guy they’re considering at No. 2.
Bailey commented on the situation with SNY reporters Wednesday at the draft site in Pittsburgh.
“They canceled my 30 visits, so I wasn’t able to walk around the facility and have in-depth conversations with all the staff,” Bailey shared. “I had great interactions with them at the combine and on FaceTime calls.”
It seems Bailey might have mixed up Mosley with Cardinals GM Monty Ossenfort. It’s hard to say what that means—perhaps it just indicates limited communication between Bailey and the Jets.
At the 16th pick, the Jets are likely looking to draft a wide receiver to complement Garrett Wilson. They’ve set an unfortunate record as the first team not to produce a receiver with over 400 yards in a season since the NFL adopted a 16-game format last year. It’s evident they need to find a solid target for quarterback Geno Smith. The issue? The top three receivers—Colonel Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon—could be off the board by the time the Jets pick. Mosley might be tempted to trade up for one, although that would likely cost them the No. 44 pick.
If they stick to their spot, there may be options available. Other receivers like Omar Cooper Jr., Denzel Boston, and KC Concepcion are expected to be around in the lower 20s if things don’t go as planned.
Mosley stated that the Jets have assessed 225 draft-eligible players, with about 135 to 140 being fitting choices for their needs.
Even as the 2026 draft unfolds, the 2027 draft is already looming large on the horizon. With several promising quarterbacks expected to enter that draft, it’s anticipated to be a strong class. The Jets, possessing three first-round picks, could find their future heavily influenced by how they perform this upcoming season.
“It’s our job to grasp the overall football landscape moving forward,” Mosley noted. “We gathered some insights today: next year’s free agent class might look like this, and the draft class could look like that.” Of course, these scenarios can change quickly—injuries and performance fluctuations happen all the time. Ultimately, we need to stay focused on this draft and the current roster, aiming to bring in quality players.”
