Jets Collapse Late, but 2026 Draft Position Brightens After Week 16 Shakeups
For a moment, it looked like the New York Jets might finally be turning a corner. After parting ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the defense came out with some bite, holding the New Orleans Saints to just nine points in the first half - a notable shift after several weeks of early-game meltdowns.
But that momentum didn’t last. Kellen Moore’s offense flipped the switch in the second half, rattling off 20 unanswered points and leaving the Jets reeling once again.
Rookie quarterback Brady Cook, who saw extended action down the stretch, showed flashes but also the growing pains you’d expect from a young signal-caller thrown into the fire. The Saints defense, led by Aaron Glenn, made sure those mistakes were punished.
The Jets dropped their third straight game, falling to 3-12 on the year.
Still, in a season where wins are few and far between, there was a bit of good news - and it came from outside MetLife Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans pulled off a win over an injury-depleted Kansas City Chiefs squad, picking up their third victory of the season. That result nudged Tennessee ahead of the Jets in the draft standings thanks to a weaker strength of schedule, slightly improving New York’s odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It nearly got even better. The Las Vegas Raiders had the Houston Texans on the ropes but couldn’t close the deal. Still, with two weeks left in the regular season, the draft picture is far from settled - and the Jets are very much in the thick of the race for a top pick.
Where the Jets Stand in the 2026 NFL Draft Order
As Week 16 wraps up, the top of the draft board is starting to take shape - but there’s still a logjam of struggling teams vying for position. That congestion could begin to clear with matchups like Raiders vs.
Giants on deck. Both teams have been stuck in the mud all season, but someone’s got to win, and that result could directly benefit the Jets.
New York’s final two games won’t be easy. They’ll face the New England Patriots in Week 17 and the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 - two AFC East rivals still jockeying for playoff seeding.
The Jets, meanwhile, are playing for pride and a clearer path to the future. That contrast in motivation could work in New York’s favor - at least when it comes to draft positioning.
If the Jets lose out and the Raiders beat the Giants, New York could climb as high as third overall in the draft order. If the Giants win that game instead, the Jets would likely stay at fourth, assuming the Cleveland Browns don’t lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17.
Now, if the Jets were to pull off a surprise upset over the Patriots, things get a little more complicated. A win could push them back as far as eighth overall, depending on how the rest of the bottom-tier teams finish. Washington, sitting at 4-11, currently owns a weaker strength of schedule (.500) compared to New York’s .538, which could be a key tiebreaker.
What’s at Stake
The final two weeks of the season aren’t just about finishing strong - they’re about setting the table for 2026. Whether the Jets are eyeing a franchise quarterback or looking to leverage their position in a trade-down scenario, staying near the top of the draft board gives them options - and leverage.
Right now, they’re in striking distance of a top-three pick. And with a few more losses - and a little help from around the league - New York could find itself in prime position to reshape the future of the franchise.