As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine approaches, the buzz around this year's class of prospects is reaching a fever pitch. With every passing day, analysts are reshaping their evaluations, influenced by new insights and shifting team needs as coaching changes ripple through the league.
At the heart of this evolving narrative are the New York Jets, who hold two of the top 16 picks in the upcoming draft. With a roster that has holes in nearly every position, predicting their draft strategy is like trying to solve a complex puzzle. It's no wonder that the mock draft community is abuzz with speculation about their choices.
Let's dive into the latest consensus mock draft from the NFL Mock Draft Database, which aggregates predictions from analysts across the internet for the week of February 11-18.
Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (98% of picks)
New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (80%)
Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (45%)
Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (33%)
New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (33%)
Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (43%)
Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami (22%)
New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (34%)
Kansas City Chiefs: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (10%)
Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (18%)
Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (26%)
Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (51%)
Los Angeles Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC (21%)
Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State (28%)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (26%)
New York Jets: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson (14%)
For Jets fans, two key points stand out in this mock draft. First, there's growing consensus that Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese will be their top pick at No.
- Reese’s selection rate has jumped from 70% to 80%, signaling strong confidence in his potential.
Known for his versatility, Reese played primarily as an off-ball linebacker but showed impressive potential as an edge rusher with 6.5 sacks on 119 pass-rush snaps last season. His ability to disrupt offenses makes him a tantalizing prospect.
However, not everyone is on board. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah bucked the trend by choosing a different direction for the Jets in his latest mock.
The second notable development is the emergence of Clemson's Peter Woods as the favorite for the Jets' 16th pick. Previously, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was the frontrunner for this spot, but his stock is rising, pushing him up to 13th in the consensus rankings.
Woods, a top-ranked defensive tackle from the 2023 recruiting class, hasn't quite lived up to expectations at Clemson, with modest stats across his college career. Despite this, his potential remains undeniable.
At just 20 years old, Woods is expected to impress at the combine with his physical attributes. If he delivers, his upside could convince the Jets to take a chance on him in the first round.
In this ever-changing draft landscape, the Jets' decisions will be pivotal, and their picks could shape the team's future for years to come. As the combine nears, all eyes will be on these prospects to see who rises to the occasion.