- Defense should be the primary focus for the Jets: New York traded away cornerstone pieces of the defense in 2025 and needs to rebuild the defense to better fit Aaron Glenn’s identity.
- If the quarterback position is not addressed in free agency, expect the Jets to take one early in the draft: While this is not a top-heavy draft at the position, the extra first-round pick the Jets own could put them in a position to make a similar move to the one the Giants made with their second early pick last year.
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This offseason will mark Aaron Glenn's second year in charge of the New York Jets, and there is plenty of work to be done. Quarterback is the most obvious need. But while the Jets hold multiple high picks that could allow them to address the position early in the draft, they could also opt for the veteran route in free agency.
They appear set at tackle for now, but the interior offensive line needs upgrading. Garrett Wilson, Mason Taylor and Adonai Mitchell likely give them enough at receiver to look elsewhere for early draft upgrades. However, Breece Hall is expected to depart via free agency, and Braelon Allen missed most of last season with an MCL sprain.
On the other side of the ball, given the headliners the Jets traded away during the season and the pending free agency of several others, there is not a single position group without a need for reinforcements. Fortunately for New York, those aggressive moves helped them acquire significant draft capital, including four of the first 44 picks in April’s draft. Those selections, along with their early fourth-round pick, will be the focus of this mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 2: EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Between subpar play and expiring contracts, the Jets need a difference-maker on the edge. Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said last season that when Glenn was in Detroit, he often emphasized that “you have to earn the right to rush the passer,” and Reese’s run-defense production at Ohio State suggests he is willing to do just that.
Reese graded positively on 13.9% of his run-defense snaps for the Buckeyes, recording 18 stops and just two missed tackles. While he was less productive as a pass rusher, he showed the ability to finish, tallying seven sacks on just 117 pass-rush snaps.
Round 1, Pick 16: QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
There could be room for a second signal-caller from Ole Miss at MetLife Stadium. The Ferris State transfer broke out for the Rebels in 2024, recording 29 big-time throws, which ranked third among draft-eligible quarterbacks. He also forced 19 missed tackles and scored eight rushing touchdowns.
Round 2, Pick 33: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Cisse was an outstanding all-around performer for South Carolina in 2024. He earned an 89.4 run-defense grade while allowing just 47.4% of targets into his coverage to be completed and forcing incompletions on 21.1% of those targets.
Round 2, Pick 44: DI Ahmad Moten, Miami
The Jets traded interior defender Quinnen Williams before the trade deadline to acquire this pick, and in this mock scenario, they coincidentally land a prospect with the size and athleticism needed to try to replace him. Moten graded positively on 24.1% of his run-defense snaps this past season and generated 27 total pressures as a pass rusher.
Round 4, Pick 103: CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Glenn values big, physical cornerbacks who excel in press coverage, so don’t be surprised if the Jets double up at the position should a player of Lee’s caliber still be on the board at this stage of the draft. He recorded nine forced incompletions in each of the past two seasons for the Aggies.
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