The New York Jets are staring down one of the most pivotal drafts in recent franchise history - and with two first-round picks in hand, they’ve got options. The question is: how bold are they willing to be?
NFL draft analyst Chad Reuter sees a potential blueprint that mirrors what the Giants pulled off last year - grabbing a dynamic defensive player early, then circling back for a quarterback later in the first round. For the Jets, that could mean selecting Ohio State’s versatile linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 2 overall pick, then targeting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 16.
“If Simpson’s still on the board at 16, that’s the move,” Reuter said. “You get your defensive cornerstone early with Reese, and still land a potential franchise quarterback without reaching.”
It’s a plan that hinges on how the board falls - and there’s no guarantee Simpson will be there at 16. Arizona, picking third, is expected to move on from Kyler Murray, but that slot might be too high for Simpson. Miami, sitting at No. 11 and possibly parting ways with Tua Tagovailoa, could be the real threat to take him off the board before the Jets get another shot.
The only true certainty right now? Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to go No. 1 overall to the Raiders. And with four picks inside the top 44 and a treasure chest of future draft capital - including three first-rounders in 2027 - Jets GM Darren Mougey has the ammo to at least make the call to Vegas and see if there’s a path to the top.
Now, let’s be honest: only the Jets could lose 14 games and still wind up picking second in a draft with just one consensus top-tier quarterback. That’s the kind of luck that’s defined this franchise for years.
“This isn’t a deep quarterback class,” Reuter said. “I only see Mendoza and Simpson as first-rounders.”
There’s a potential wild card in the mix, though. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is fighting for an extra year of eligibility, but if he’s forced into the draft, he could give teams - including the Jets - another intriguing option. Reuter likes Chambliss’ growth as a passer and sees starter potential, but still gives the edge to Simpson.
“Simpson’s not the biggest guy out there, but he’s got the tools - arm talent, mobility, poise,” Reuter said of the 6-foot-2, 208-pound QB. “He’s a coach’s son, spent four years at Alabama, and he’s battle-tested.”
Quarterback is the obvious headline, but the Jets have holes all over the roster. Wide receiver, cornerback, safety, defensive line - you name it.
Reuter laid out a scenario where the Jets could come away from the first two rounds with Reese and Simpson, then add Ohio State corner Davison Igbinosun and Georgia speedster Zachariah Branch in Round 2. That’s a haul that would check a lot of boxes.
But if the Jets don’t love Simpson at 16? Reuter says they’d be better off waiting until Day 3 rather than forcing the issue. That could mean targeting someone like Carson Beck, Drew Allar, or Garrett Nussmeier in the later rounds - assuming the Jets can find a way to get back into the third round, where they currently don’t have a pick.
In that case, the Jets could pivot at 16 and grab a playmaker or a defensive back - a safer bet in what’s shaping up to be a thin quarterback class.
“We’ve got the assets - draft capital, cap space,” Mougey said. “We’re going to keep building and adding players who can help us win.”
And let’s be real: it’s unlikely the Jets are ready to hand the keys to this offense to any rookie not named Mendoza. After the Justin Fields experiment flamed out last season, expect the Jets to make a move for a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap - especially with head coach Aaron Glenn’s job security hanging in the balance.
That doesn’t mean they should punt on the position entirely. Drafting a quarterback this year, even if it’s not a top-tier guy, gives new offensive coordinator Frank Reich and passing game coordinator Seth Ryan a developmental project - something this franchise hasn’t exactly nailed in recent years.
Reuter believes the smarter play might be to stay patient. Next year’s class could feature blue-chip talent like Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, and Dante Moore. But patience isn’t always easy in New York - especially when the clock’s ticking on a rebuild that’s already tested the fanbase’s limits.
Still, if the Jets can walk away from this draft with a defensive anchor, a quarterback with upside, and a couple of playmakers on both sides of the ball, they’ll be in a much better spot than they were a year ago.
And that’s a start.