The New York Jets find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as they approach the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 2 overall pick. The big question: Should they go for the best player available, or address their most pressing need?
Enter Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, widely regarded as the top talent in the draft and the best safety prospect in nearly a decade. Downs could be a game-changer for the Jets' secondary, but recent developments have shifted the team's priorities.
The trade of Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for T'Vondre Sweat has left the Jets with a glaring need for a pass rusher. While Downs' talent is undeniable, the likelihood of the Jets using their second pick on him seems slim. The focus now appears to be on finding a player who can immediately bolster their pass rush and fill the void left by Johnson.
With Will McDonald struggling as the league's least effective run defender on the edge, the Jets are likely to prioritize stopping the run. This puts edge rushers like Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State's Arvell Reese in the spotlight, as both have shown more promise against the run than Texas Tech's David Bailey.
The Jets' recent moves, including acquiring Phillips and Jowon Briggs last offseason and the addition of Sweat, signal a clear strategy: build a formidable defensive line. While Downs is a remarkable talent, he doesn't address the team's most critical weakness from last season-run defense.
For the Jets to land Downs, they'd likely need him to drop into the latter part of the top 10 and then trade up, leveraging their three picks in the Top 50. General Manager Mougey has the assets to make such a move if Downs becomes a viable option later in the draft.
Ultimately, the No. 2 pick seems destined for a top-tier pass rusher who can make an immediate impact. As for Downs, his potential journey to the Jets might require a bit more patience and maneuvering. For now, it seems he's going to have to hold off on any New York apartment hunting.