- If the Jets land #2, it at least ensures they get one of the top QBs in the class without giving up resources. In this scenario, I got Fernando Mendoza going #1 to the New Orleans Saints, with the Jets grabbing Ty Simpson as a consolation prize. Simpson has pinpoint accuracy and throws a pretty deep ball. The knock on Simpson will be that he’s only got one year of starting experience in college, but he was a 5-star recruit out of high school, and he only rode the bench because of Bryce Young + Jalen Milroe. While Dante Moore may have more potential because of his dual-threat ability, he may be more inclined to stay at Oregon for another year if he’s marketed as the consensus QB1.
Round 2
Elijah Sarratt
- Elijah Sarratt looks like a pro WR playing college kids. While he uses his 6’2” size and strength well, his clean route-running makes him a plug-and-play WR in Round 2. Sarratt would be a much-needed and excellent complementary piece opposite Garrett Wilson. He can run the whole route tree as a possession receiver, but he also isn’t an easy player to take down with some hidden YAC. Would be the right player on Night 2 of the NFL Draft, or ever consider trading back into the 1st. Ideally they would pair him up with Mendoza, but regardless, Sarratt should be the priority.
Round 4
Malachi FIelds
- Malachi Fields in the 4th Round is the Jets’ doubling down at the WR group that desperately needs talent. At 6’4” with a 4.50 40-time, Fields is much more of a traditional big-body vertical target. While he’s had two 50+ catch seasons at Virginia, the recently transferred Notre Dame WR is now being used almost exclusively as a downfield threat. The way the Irish use Fields seems to fit more of what his playing style in the NFL shapes out to. A 3 WR set of Wilson-Sarratt-Fields would do wonders for whoever is playing QB next season.
Bray Hubbard
- Bray Hubbard was teammates with Malachi Moore at ‘Bama, so they’d be pairing two young safeties already with chemistry. The current Tide safety does the majority of his work in the box, but has great coverage skills, picking off 6 passes the past two seasons. Hubbard praised his former teammate and current rookie Jets safety, saying Moore is “Just a true leader and a role model.” They both helped out their games plenty in ‘24, as they graded out as the only Safety Tandem in the nation to both have PFF College Grades above 84 for the season.
Round 6
- The Jets take their 3rd ‘Bama prospect of the Mock Draft weekend with Parker Brailsford. He’s started the past two seasons for the Tide at center, plus has some limited experience at guard. Brailsford has been an exceptional pass blocker throughout his time at Washington and Alabama, while also improving as a run blocker from the center position. Improves the interior offensive line depth. NFL scouts will question if his undersized frame and shorter arms will be effective at the next level, but he’s held his own the past two seasons at the SEC.
Kyle Louis
- Kyle Louis in the 6th Round would be a best player available pick. He’s a bit undersized for NFL standards, but Louis makes up for it with elite speed. A local kid from East Orange, he’s been a playmaker the past two seasons at Pittsburgh. Louis finished last season with 15.5 TFLs and seven sacks, but may have even more potential in pass coverage. While he might not have the pass-rush moves to play on the edge in the NFL, Louis could be an effective blitzer and seems to have great linebacker instincts.
Round 7
Raion Strader
- Auburn’s Raion Strader has had a nondescript start to his career with the War Eagles. He transferred to Auburn after a breakout sophomore season at Miami (Ohio), finishing with a MAC-best 18 pass breakups in ‘24. At 6’ tall and good speed, Strader may be an overlooked prospect who falls in the ‘26 NFL Draft if he decides to enter rather than hitting the transfer portal once more. The Jets already have Sauce and may have found a gem in Jarvis Brownlee, Strader has the upside to one day be a starting outside corner.
Eric O’Neill
- Eric O’Neill is another local prospect out of Staten Island. After a successful start to his collegiate career at Long Island University, where he dominated with 44.5 TFLs in two seasons, O’Neill transferred to James Madison in ‘24. He proved he could play up at the next level with the Dukes, producing 18.5 TFLs and 13 sacks. O’Neill is now with Rutgers. Although his production hasn’t jumped off the screen like he did at LIU and James Madison, the Staten Island product could be a Micheal Clemons replacement.
Lake McRee
- USC’s Lake McRee is an interesting late-round prospect. The 5th-year senior TE doesn’t have enormous production during his time with the Trojans, but always seems to make special plays in his limited opportunities. With a 7th Round pick, McRee would be a nice complementary piece next to Mason Taylor and could push Jeremy Ruckert for snaps. Decent run-blocker with good speed, hidden YAC-ability, and good hands.
UDFA
Tommy Castellanos
- Tommy Castellanos probably won’t get drafted in the ‘26 NFL Draft, but he’s a nifty College QB playmaker. At 5’11”, Castellanos will be considered too undersized to be a QB1, but might have potential as a backup or even a gadget-type player. He’s already scored 21 rushing TDs throughout his career, and this year he leads the ACC in yards gained per pass attempt, so he can hit the timely big plays.