With four picks inside the top-50, the New York Jets truly have a chance to get this franchise in a good spot for the long-term, but the total opposite could also be true. Last season was rather forgettable for the franchise, but General Manager Darren Mougey made two major moves, trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.
New York currently has three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, a class that is projected to be much better overall, especially at quarterback, but two first and two second-round picks this year is nothing to scoff at.
This feels like the first time in Mougey's short tenure with the franchise that legitimate change can truly be brought to this team, currently in the middle of a long playoff drought with no quarterback or success in sight. In our latest Jets mock draft, the board falls perfectly for Mougey in a flat-out best-case scenario.
New York Jets mock draft sees the draft board falling perfectly into their laps
2. Arvell Reese, EDGE/ILB, Ohio State
It's between Arvell Reese and David Bailey at this point. Reese could be more of a Wild Card, as it's not entirely clear if he'll be an EDGE or an off-ball linebacker. He does have the skillset to be both, but obviously, when he gets to the NFL, he'll eventually settle into one of those positions.
As for Bailey, he profiles more as a pass-rush specialist with an insanely high, double-digit sack upside. The fanbase could truly be split on one of these players, but I guess, if nothing else, it'd be a shock if it was someone else.
16. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The injury bug with Jordyn Tyson could cause him to slip a bit. He'll come off the board at pick 16, and in this scenario, the Jets land two of the few blue-chip prospects in the class, and they address both sides of the ball in the process. Suddenly, the receiver rooms looks quite encouraging alongside Garrett Wilson, a 1,000-yard player, and Breece Hall brings an explosive element to the backfield as well.
It's easy for a front office to bank on a player staying healthy, but that's simply all it is with Tyson. The WR1 profile is there - his ceiling is insane, but it's simply just about his being able to stay on the field.
33. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Now we're talking. Ty Simpson isn't a slam-dunk first-round prospect, but he is someone who is worth taking in the second round. The main issue with the Jets' first-round picks is that both are obviously too high to slot Simpson into.
But if he somehow makes it past the Arizona Cardinals, the Jets have to make the move. Simpson has NFL-caliber traits, but is undersized and just doesn't really do anything notably well. Sitting behind Geno Smith for a year could benefit him, as he's a developmental player regardless.
And at worst, the Jets may have just drafted a high-end backup who could be a spot-starter for the franchise. New York still has three first-round picks next year.
44. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Trading Gardner during the regular season last year was a major move, so you get the sense that the Jets will draft a rookie cornerback at some point. Brandon Cisse is a borderline first-round prospect who falls to pick 44 here, making it a logical spot for the Jets to pounce.
103. Justin Joly, TE, NC State
Justin Joly could join Mason Taylor in the Jets tight end room as a young, encouraging duo. We've seen this team field top-tier defenses over the years, but it's obviously been the offense that has been the issue.
The thinking here could be that the Jets set the stage on offense with a strong offensive line and young group of play-makers in anticipation of a rookie quarterback in the 2027 draft.
140. Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
Chris McClellan is a nose tackle prospect from Missouri and could come in and serve as some nice depth and could see the field immediately near the goal-line in run situations.
179. Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Double-dipping at quarterback makes sense for the Jets and any team that doesn't have a franchise quarterback in sight. Cole Payton has the size and athleticism and really checks all of those boxes. He looks like a franchise quarterback and has high-end traits at the position, but he's a day three pick for a reason.
Still, though, the Jets seem to have some degree of interest in Payton, so that's worth mentioning.
228. CJ Daniels, WR, Miami (FL)
Now adding to the receiver room even more, the Jets snag CJ Daniels from Miami (FL) and hope for some competent depth with these late-round selections.
242. Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma
Betting on raw athleticism this late in the NFL Draft is the best course of action, and the Jets do just that with Kendal Daniels, finishing up a mock draft that sets the stage for something special for New York.