Another year, another season of mediocrity for the New York Jets. They finished last season with a 3-14 record, tied for the worst record in the NFL. They will have two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They naturally have the second-overall pick and due to the trade that sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, they also have the No. 16 pick. The Jets will have to nail both picks if they want to have any chance of turning this team around from the eternal darkness it has been on. 

LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

With their first pick of the draft, the Jets have the opportunity to take the best player not named Fernando Mendoza. Reese could very well be that guy. With Jamien Sherwood already on the team, they added Demario Davis in free agency. If they drafted Reese, the Jets would have one of the scariest groups of linebackers in the league. It would also allow for Reese to learn under the other two in his rookie season while also getting some valuable playing time in second-year head coach Aaron Glenn’s defense. 

At Ohio State, he made 112 total tackles, seven sacks and two pass deflections over two seasons with the Buckeyes. Most of his sacks came last season. He can only improve as he jumps to the next level. His only competition for being the second player off the board is David Bailey from Texas Tech. However, even if the Jets were to take him, Reese wouldn’t fall out of the top-five picks. 

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Currently, the projection for the Jets is to take Simpson with the No. 16 pick. He would be the second quarterback off the board, with only Mendoza ahead of him. Simpson, incredibly, has only 15 starts in his entire collegiate career, all of which were at Alabama. Simpson could (possibly) be an answer to the many desperate cries for help that Jets’ fans have been looking for. Simpson won’t be playing immediately as the Jets signed Geno Smith in the offseason. It’ll allow for Simpson to get accustomed to the speed of the game.  It wouldn’t be surprising if Simpson replaces Smith halfway through the 2026 season. 

More Sports News

.wp-block-group__inner-container:has(> .embla),
.wp-block-group:where(.alignfull) > .wp-block-group__inner-container:has(> .embla) {
width: calc(100vw – (var(–side-spacing) * 2)) !important;
}
.embla {
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
}
.embla__container {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: nowrap;
gap: 0 !important;
width: 75%;
}
.embla__slide {
margin-inline-end: var(–column-gap);
}
.embla__arrow,
.embla__arrow:active,
.embla__arrow:target,
.embla__arrow:hover,
.embla__arrow:focus-visible {
display: none;
position: absolute;
top: 50%;
transform: translateY(-50%);
width: 40px;
height: 40px;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
line-height: 0;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75);
color: var(–color-primary);
border-radius: 100vw;

svg {
width: 24px;
}
}
.embla__prev {
left: 0;
}
.embla__next {
right: 0;
}
]]>

This past year was the only season where Simpson was the starter for the Crimson Tide, despite being there for four years. He finishes his career with 334 completions, 3,948 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions.Â