New York Jets draft picks tracker: Updated list of 2026 selections, next pick predictions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After landing on Geno Smith as their starting quarterback, 2026 has the feel of a gap year for the New York Jets with the focus really on 2027. If the franchise wants to win in 2027, however, the foundation has to be built now.
The Jets enter the 2026 draft with four picks in the top 44, making this a critical junction for coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey barely more than one year into their roles.
Whether a quarterback will be among those four picks is one of the biggest questions. The Jets are in the rare position of picking second overall, needing a quarterback and not having a viable option at that spot. There could be more options later on, but New York has to decide whether settling for a quarterback now makes sense when the options could be better with three first-round picks in 2027.
Whether or not a quarterback is in the cards, the Jets are expected to address their pass-rush and the wide receiver position early in the draft.
The Jets have nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft:
Wide receiver: The Jets simply can't go on with so few receiving weapons outside of Garrett Wilson. Not only is it not fair to Wilson, but it makes life more difficult for the entire offense when defenses don't have to focus on anyone other than Wilson. Adonai Mitchell showed some flashes down the stretch in 2025, but New York badly needs to find its No. 2 WR in this draft.
Edge rusher: The Jets traded Jermaine Johnson II this offseason and didn't get the best out of Will McDonald IV, who is limited as a run defender, in 2025. Even after adding Joseph Ossai, finding a long-term standout edge rusher is an opportunity the Jets likely have to take near the top of this draft.
Quarterback: Well, quarterback continues to be a massive need for the Jets. The bigger question is whether it makes sense for New York to actually address it in this draft. There is no viable option at No. 2, but with picks at No. 16, No. 33 and No. 44, the Jets have the assets to take a flier at the position.
Secondary: The Jets have a handful of other needs on their roster, but the entire secondary could use a talent infusion. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a temporary fix at safety, but New York is in need of long-term talent at the position and cornerback is also missing standout players after the Sauce Gardner trade,
Here's a look at how the Jets' draft board could shake out, based on the seven-round mock draft from SN's Vinnie Iyer.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is on Thursday, April 23, from Pittsburgh.