Are the New York Jets headed for Gang Green-er pastures?

General manager Darren Mougey had his work cut out for him entering the 2026 NFL Draft, coming off a putrid 3-14 season in his first year as Jets GM that left the team without some of its star talent and with the No. 2 overall selection.

While the on-field product was bad, Mougey demonstrated shrewdness in deals during his tenure that may ultimately help New York in the long run. The blockbuster trades of cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive line cornerstone Quinnen Williams resulted in a massive bolstering of the Jets' draft capital in the 2026 and beyond.

With some of that capital, Mougey's second draft may have done a bit to sharpen his reputation as an efficient drafter – that is, according to some NFL experts, including those at USA TODAY Sports.

Here's how the Jets' individual picks graded out, as well as a grade for their overall draft class:

2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders2025: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) - Tennessee Titans2024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC - Chicago Bears2023: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - Carolina Panthers2022: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia - Jacksonville Jaguars2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - Jacksonville Jaguars2020: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU - Cincinnati Bengals2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - Arizona Cardinals2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma - Cleveland Browns2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M - Cleveland Browns2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Los Angeles Rams2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Tampa Bay Buccaneers2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Houston Texans2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit Lions2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Miami Dolphins2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - Oakland Raiders2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss - San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC - Cincinnati Bengals2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State - Houston Texans2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - Atlanta Falcons2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State - Cleveland Browns1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - Cleveland Browns1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee - Indianapolis Colts1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State - St. Louis Rams1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC - New York Jets1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State - Cincinnati Bengals1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington - Indianapolis Colts1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami - Dallas Cowboys1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois - Indianapolis Colts1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA - Dallas Cowboys1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn - Atlanta Falcons1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami - Tampa Bay Buccaneers1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech - Buffalo Bills1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska - New England Patriots1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)

1 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders1 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders2 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832025: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) - Tennessee Titans3 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC - Chicago Bears4 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832023: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - Carolina Panthers5 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832022: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia - Jacksonville Jaguars6 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - Jacksonville Jaguars7 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832020: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU - Cincinnati Bengals8 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - Arizona Cardinals9 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma - Cleveland Browns10 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M - Cleveland Browns11 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Los Angeles Rams12 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Tampa Bay Buccaneers13 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Houston Texans14 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit Lions15 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Miami Dolphins16 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - Oakland Raiders17 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss - San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)18 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC - Cincinnati Bengals19 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State - Houston Texans20 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - Atlanta Falcons21 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19832000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State - Cleveland Browns22 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - Cleveland Browns23 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee - Indianapolis Colts24 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State - St. Louis Rams25 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC - New York Jets26 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals27 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State - Cincinnati Bengals28 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington - Indianapolis Colts29 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami - Dallas Cowboys30 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois - Indianapolis Colts31 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA - Dallas Cowboys32 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn - Atlanta Falcons33 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami - Tampa Bay Buccaneers34 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)35 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech - Buffalo Bills36 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska - New England Patriots37 / 37No. 1 NFL draft picks since 19831983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)

The Jets made eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's how each pick graded out, per USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz and Jacob Camenker:

The mystery is over. After being tied to Arvell Reese for much of the pre-draft process, Gang Green seemed to be attached more closely to Bailey in recent weeks. On some level, taking a proven pass rusher makes sense for a regime that needs to show it deserves the chance to build this team from the ground up. And he provides a more clear projection to the pros than Reese, the linebacker who only dabbled at edge rushing at Ohio State. But Reese might be have more upside as the bigger overall game-wrecker, and Bailey's pairing with the similarly built Will McDonald IV might prompt some issues for the Jets' run defense. Still, the instant disruption Bailey can provide to a group that registered just 26 sacks last season is undeniable. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Gang Green couldn't afford to keep pinning so much on Garrett Wilson in the passing game. That dynamic led many to believe that the Jets would target a pass catcher here. Rather than go for a wideout such as Makai Lemon or Omar Cooper Jr., however, New York rolls the dice on Sadiq. An instant mismatch due to his field-stretching speed, Sadiq has significant untapped potential as a seam threat, which he could unlock with Geno Smith attacking vertically. He's still somewhat of an unfinished product, though, so his acclimation period could be an extended one. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

If Gang Green had taken Cooper at No. 16 overall, the move likely would have been lauded. Instead, the Jets managed to secure Kenyon Sadiq and still circle back to Cooper with a trade toward the end of the first. The slippery run-after-catch threat pairs well with Sadiq and Garrett Wilson, as he can own the underneath area and serve as a safety valve in the passing game. With a solid offensive line, Breece Hall and an upgraded receiving corps, things sure are setting up nicely for Geno Smith ... or a 2027 quarterback pick. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Aaron Glenn can surely appreciate an undersized cornerback who punches above his weight class. Ponds' limitations at just under 5-9 might be inescapable, but he otherwise checks off plenty of boxes of a high-end starter. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

The Jets added T'Vondre Sweat in a trade with the Giants but still need more talent along the interior defensive line to help replace Quinnen Williams. Jackson has great size at 6-6, 315 pounds with a huge wingspan and hands, but he's raw and needs to hone his technique to find consistent success at the next level. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Here's your Day 3 flier at quarterback for the Jets. Klubnik was discussed as a potential early first-round pick heading into his final year, but things quickly went south for him and Clemson. That draft projection always looked lofty for a passer without a true calling card, but the former five-star still offers some occasional flashes when he's in rhythm. Inconsistency, however, has plagued him, particularly in his decision-making and ball placement to every level. Klubnik landing ahead of Garrett Nussmeier comes as a surprise, but he could hold down a backup spot and maybe even get a late trial run if New York determines it has seen enough from Geno Smith. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Cooper is a big-bodied guard (6-6, 334 pounds) who showed strong hands and point-of-attack power with the Hurricanes. His pro-ready size could allow him to challenge for a starting role sooner than expected, at least for a Day 3 pick, and the Jets needed interior offensive line depth after losing Alijah Vera-Tucker to the Patriots. – Jacob Camenker

Payne is a versatile, do-it-all safety who has a nice combination of size (6-3, 209 pounds) and speed. He could have gone much earlier than this, so this is an excellent value pick for the Jets. – Jacob Camenker

USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis graded the Jets' 2026 NFL Draft class with an A+, the top class in the NFL.

It felt like Part 1 of a summer blockbuster, the highly anticipated draft sequel – generally and specifically to the NYJ – still a year away. But if things unfold as nicely in 2027 as well as Gang Green’s haul seemed to go this year, then New York should actually be a legitimate playoff contender by 2028 … or so. But OLB David Bailey, the second overall pick, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper and CB D’Angelo Ponds all project as immediate starters – Ponds and Sadiq both arriving courtesy of trades GM Darren Mougey made at last year’s November deadline. Even fourth-round QB Cade Klubnik could get an extended audition at some point this season – think Davis Mills in Houston. A team that also needs to progress with a significant cultural shift, was also probably wise to bring in Cooper and Ponds fresh off their championship run at Indiana. Admittedly, the Jets have “won” offseasons before, but it's time to find out if potential starts translating to a much better product on the field.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jets NFL draft grade for all Darren Mougey picks, including David Bailey