We did a full seven-round draft using the “consensus player list” that combines data from The Athletic, ESPN, PFF, and PFSN. The simulator made picks for 31 GMs. I made the picks for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey.
In 1.0 we avoided trades because it’s too early in the evaluation process to determine which teams will be looking to move up in the draft. We also avoided taking a quarterback in the first two rounds — despite having Ty Simpson staring at us with picks 16, 33 and 44 — because the general feeling is the Jets are content to wait until 2027 before taking their next swing at a franchise quarterback.
New York Jets 2026 Mock NFL Draft (1.0)
With Aaron Glenn adding defensive playcalling duties, the hiring of Brian Duker as Defensive Coordinator, and the Jets’ trade of DE Jermaine Johnson for DT/NT T’Vondre Sweat — it’s a fait accompli that they will be moving to a base 3-4. Which is why most draft experts are predicting that the Jets will pursue a pass rusher with their second overall pick.
Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, and Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr are the favorites, but I’m going with Reese’s Buckeyes partner Sonny Styles.
In a packed wide receiver class, the Top 3 WRs on most boards — Makai Lemon (USC), Carnell Tate (Ohio State), and Jordyn Tyson — were not available at #16. Rather than reach for the next WR, I took the consensus top-ranked tight end Kenyon Sadig, who played both on the line and in the slot for the Oregon Ducks in 2025.
2026 Mock NFL Draft (1.0) First Round
I assume OC Frank Reich is going to have a strong opinion on what the Jets should do if Alabama’s Ty Simpson is staring them in the face at #33. But I had to stick with the “no QB” rule, and selected Boston who surprisingly dropped out of the first round.
Now, I really do not see Simpson being available at #44 in real life, but we passed on him again to take Ohio State’s massive DT Kayden McDonald.
2026 Mock NFL Draft (1.0) Second Round
We finally selected a quarterback in the early fourth round. Miami’s Carson Beck has had an up-and-down career, but he has prototypical size and arm strength, and at times has excelled as a processor. Inconsistency is what has dropped him from a sure-fire first-round pick to a Day 3 pick.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh — round one on Thursday, April 23, rounds two and three on Friday, April 24, and rounds four through seven on Saturday, April 25.