Let the pre-draft evaluations begin - the 2026 Senior Bowl is officially here.
This week in Mobile, Alabama, nearly 130 of college football’s top upperclassmen will take the field for practices ahead of Saturday’s game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. For NFL scouts, coaches, and executives from all 32 teams, this is one of the biggest weeks of the offseason - a chance to see how prospects stack up against elite competition, in real-time, under NFL-style coaching.
While two potential top-10 picks - Miami’s Rueben Bain and Texas Tech’s David Bailey - were initially expected to participate, both have been removed from the updated roster for undisclosed reasons. That opens the door for other prospects to seize the spotlight.
For a Jets team coming off a 3-14 season and armed with 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Senior Bowl offers a prime opportunity to find impact players - or at least build out a roster that desperately needs depth and development. Here are five prospects Jets fans should be watching closely this week in Mobile.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
If there’s one quarterback in Mobile with something to prove - and the tools to do it - it’s Garrett Nussmeier.
After a strong 2024 campaign where he threw for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns, Nussmeier opted to return to LSU in 2025 rather than declare for the draft. That decision didn’t quite go as planned.
A torn abdominal muscle limited him to just nine games, and LSU’s season spiraled into chaos after head coach Brian Kelly was fired midseason. Still, Nussmeier managed to put up 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five picks - solid numbers given the circumstances.
At 6'1", 205 pounds, Nussmeier isn’t the biggest quarterback in this class, and he doesn’t have a cannon for an arm. But what he does have is a sharp football mind, a quick release, and a knack for throwing with anticipation. He’s a rhythm passer who can thread the needle when he’s on time - and when he’s not, he’s not afraid to take risks.
That gunslinger mentality is both a blessing and a curse. Nussmeier can make the highlight-reel throws, but he also has a tendency to force the issue, especially when trying to fit the ball into tight windows. Ball security and decision-making will be key areas for improvement at the next level.
Projected as a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick, Nussmeier could be an intriguing developmental option for a team like the Jets - especially if they decide to bring in a veteran starter and groom a young quarterback behind him.
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
The Jets have a certified star in Garrett Wilson, but beyond that, their wide receiver room is thin - especially when it comes to size and red-zone threats. Enter Ja’Kobi Lane.
At 6'4", 200 pounds, Lane brings a long frame and a massive catch radius - the kind of traits that make quarterbacks feel just a little more confident when throwing into traffic. In 2025, he hauled in 49 catches for 745 yards and four touchdowns, following a 12-touchdown campaign the year before.
Lane excels in contested-catch situations. He’s the guy who can climb the ladder and come down with the ball even when blanketed by defenders.
His route tree is still developing, and he’s had occasional issues with drops, but the raw tools are there. With the right coaching and a little patience, Lane could become a valuable red-zone weapon and matchup problem for opposing defenses.
For a Jets offense in need of size, physicality, and playmaking on the outside, Lane is absolutely worth a long look.
Beau Stephens, OL, Iowa
If the Jets want to get back to controlling the line of scrimmage - especially in a run-heavy system - they’ll need to invest in the trenches. Beau Stephens might not be a household name, but his tape at Iowa speaks volumes.
Stephens was one of the most consistent interior linemen in the country this past season, earning an 88.3 grade from Pro Football Focus - the highest among Power Four guards. He didn’t allow a single sack and gave up just three pressures all year.
What stands out about Stephens is his edge. He’s a physical, no-nonsense blocker with a mean streak - the kind of lineman who finishes plays and lets you know about it. He fits the mold of what the Jets have been trying to build up front: tough, nasty, and reliable.
With guards John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker both set to hit free agency, Stephens could be a plug-and-play depth piece with long-term starter potential.
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
If you’re looking for size and athleticism on the defensive line, Caleb Banks is hard to miss - literally. At 6'6", 330 pounds, he moves with surprising quickness for a man his size and has the kind of raw tools that get scouts excited.
Banks has the power to collapse the pocket and the agility to chase down plays from the backside. In 2024, he posted seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks - numbers that reflect his ability to disrupt both the run and the pass.
The biggest question with Banks is durability. A foot injury sidelined him for much of the 2025 season, and he also missed most of spring ball with the same issue. He did return for Florida’s final two games, showing flashes of the disruptive force he was the year prior.
For a Jets defense that could use more interior depth and pass-rush potential, Banks is a high-upside prospect worth monitoring closely throughout the week.
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
Let’s be blunt: the Jets didn’t record a single interception from the safety position this past season. That’s a problem - and Kamari Ramsey might be part of the solution.
Ramsey is a versatile, modern safety who can wear multiple hats. He’s comfortable in deep coverage, strong against the run, and has the quickness to line up in the slot as a nickel defender. In nine games this season, he totaled 27 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
What makes Ramsey stand out is his football IQ and fluidity in coverage. He’s not just a box safety or a deep-third guy - he’s a do-it-all defender who can match up with tight ends, cover ground in zone, and fill gaps in the run game.
He currently projects as a second-round pick, but a strong week in Mobile - especially in one-on-one drills against top-tier receivers - could boost his stock even further.
Bottom Line
The Senior Bowl is always a proving ground - a place where mid-round prospects can become Day 1 picks, and where question marks can turn into exclamation points. For the Jets, who are still in the midst of a rebuild under Aaron Glenn, every rep matters.
Whether it’s a developmental quarterback like Nussmeier, a red-zone threat like Lane, or a trench warrior like Stephens, this week could offer a glimpse at the building blocks of the Jets’ future.