The New York Jets are, unfortunately, one of the worst and most dysfunctional teams in football, but that doesn't mean they don't have good players. Before the deadline in 2025, the Jets sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.
That ended up giving the Jets, in total with their own picks, five first-round selections in the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. You'd have to think that the Jets could at least find two impact players with those five picks, but you just never know. Not only did the Jets make those two major moves, but they had to, at some point, come to a solution with Breece Ball, their stud running back.
And on Tuesday, the Jets ended up doing something rather unsurprising, as they placed the franchise tag on him, getting him under contract for at least one more season, and doing this could slightly impact their plans in the 2026 NFL Draft.
New York Jets mock draft following Breece Hall franchise tag
2. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese put on a show at the NFL Combine and appears to have the ability to be an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker. He profiles nicely at both positions and could be dangerous in multiple roles. The Jets defense was obviously gutted a bit, as the once-stout unit does need a good bit of help.
With the second overall pick here, the Jets make a solid move and take Reese.
16. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Peter Woods is a versatile defensive tackle who can fill in the gaps with the loss of Williams, but the Jets did recently send Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for T'Vondre Sweat, so this team would continue to reshape the defensive line in a big way if they went with Reese and Woods here. All of a sudden, the defensive line has something brewing.
33. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Jets take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson here at pick 33. Simpson falling this far would be something the Jets have to take advantage of. I'd be shocked if New York used pick 16 on him, as Simpson simply might not be a first-round prospect.
But it's a different story at pick 33.
44. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell is absolutely someone who could go in Round 1, so it would be impossible for General Manager Darren Mougey to pass him up at pick 44, the second of two second-round picks. The Jets being able to rebuild the defensive line like this in just one offseason would really do wonders for the rest of the defense. Being stout in the trenches is a must in today's NFL.
103. Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Ja'Kobi Lane does profile as a quality WR2 in the NFL, and, paired up with Garrett Wilson, could form a nice duo. Whoever is playing quarterback for the Jets in 2026, whether it's Simpson or someone else, could have a nice stable of weaponry with a young receiver duo and Mason Taylor, who could make a year two leap.
And with Hall under contract for at least one more season, the Jets have some encouraging pieces on offense.
139. Harold Perkins Jr, LB, LSU
A linebacker prospect who was once thought of a bit higher than this, Harold Perkins Jr goes off the board at pick 139 to the Jets in a massive shift on defense.
179. Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State
Adding some quality depth here, the Jets snag Caden Curry from Ohio State. Curry did have a surprisingly productive 2025 season for the Buckeyes and could be a high-end depth piece.
237. Charlie Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
I do believe cornerback could be a Round 1 need for the Jets, but no matter how you slice it, the Jets are surely going to address the position at least once in the NFL Draft.
241. Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
Surprise! The Jets used their final two picks on cornerbacks in a very clear 'let's see what happens' scenario.