NFL Draft week has arrived! After months of speculation, workouts, pro days and mocks, the Jets will be on the clock this Thursday through Saturday, looking for the next class of rookies ready to make their name at the NFL level.

As of now, the Jets have nine picks in the 2026 draft, headlined by four selections in the first 44 picks as a result of the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades. Looking further into the future, they boast three first-round selections in the 2027 draft, with the team set up well for an injection of talent over the next 12+ months.

All eyes right now though will be on Pittsburgh, where the Jets preside over the 2nd overall pick and the 16th overall pick on Thursday night. There are parallels with the 2021 NFL Draft, where the Jets used the 2nd overall pick and the 14th overall pick (via a draft day trade) to select QB Zach Wilson and OG Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Among the options for the Jets at number 2 this year are Ohio State linebacker Arvel Reese and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. Reese was a dynamic playmaker during his college career, lining up in a number of spots defensively including at edge rusher, where many analysts believe he could make his biggest impact. Bailey is more of a traditional pass rusher, leading the FBS in sacks in 2025 with 14.5.

Both tested well at the NFL Combine, showing the short-area quickness and burst that tends to translate best at the next level. Either option could slot in to the Jets new-look defence that has already been bolstered by a number of free agent additions this offseason.

Outside of those two defenders, the Jets could opt to add explosive playmakers on offence, with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate viewed as two of the highest impact offensive options in this year’s class. Also on defence are Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, both of Ohio State. Styles’ eye-popping Combine performance and Downs’ pro-ready instincts and football IQ have made them both outside bets to go off the board early on Thursday. 

At 16, the board is difficult to foresee, with the NFL Draft predictable only in its level of unpredictability. There will likely be a desire to add talent to the pass-catching room, and a number of high-impact wide receivers including Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper Jr and Denzel Boston could all be available in the middle of the first along with the consensus top-ranked tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

The options at quarterback are considered a little lighter this year than typical, with a chance that just one QB is taken in the first round for the first time since 2022. The Jets may still look to take a flyer on a rookie at the position, with Ty Simpson seen as a talented if inexperienced signal caller who could go in the first round, plus a number of seasoned college quarterbacks who could be available in the middle-to-late rounds, including Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar and Carson Beck.

Of course, we have to consider the chance that the Jets end up draft day movers, with their cadre of early picks making them a prime candidate to trade up or down. General Manager Darren Mougey has been no stranger to a deal, making 10+ since taking the role last winter, including one on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

With three first round picks stockpiled for 2027 already, the Jets have the flexibility to move around the board to either ensure they get the player they want this year or load up on assets for next year. As Mougey has reiterated many times during his tenure: when the phone rings, he’ll answer.

Once the dust settles on the draft on Saturday night, there will be more work to do for the Jets front office, with the competition for the undrafted free agency class likely to be fierce again. The Jets will get their first chance to look at the new blood on the team during rookie minicamp, which will take place a couple of weeks post-draft.

For fans looking to tune into the action, Sky Sports Action and NFL Game Pass on DAZN will have live coverage of the full NFL Draft, starting on Thursday night / Friday morning at 1am BST. The second day will begin on Friday night / Saturday morning at 12am BST, with the final day live on the same channel from 5pm on Saturday. Tune in then for the chance to see a couple of live announcements with ties back to the United Kingdom…

Alongside the TV coverage, talkSPORT are expected to cover the first round on radio too, whilst we will be keeping fans updated on our social media channels throughout the weekend.