All eyes are focused on the NFL draft, with less than a month until the first pick is made. As such, mock draft season is fully underway.
ESPN’s Field Yates released a two-round mock draft on Tuesday. While the New York Jets address some of their biggest needs, fans may be mildly flabbergasted by the approach.
Without further ado, here are Yates’ selections for the Jets.
No. 2 Overall: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
“A busy free agency period has the Jets’ defense in an improved place compared with the end of last season, with the team adding linebacker Demario Davis and two edge rushers (Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai). But New York should still draft for value at this spot.
“Bailey happens to thread the needle of taking a player with a grade commensurate with the No. 2 pick and at an area the team must continue to invest in. His 14.5 sacks in 2025 was tied for the most in the FBS, as he plays with a lightning-quick first step and an aggressive approach to pass rushing. No Jets player had over eight sacks last season.”
While the Jets are widely expected to take a defensive end with their first pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Arvell Reese out of Ohio State is the heavy favorite to be the pick. Bailey is no slouch, though.
When it comes to pass-rush production, Bailey is the king of the 2026 draft class. Not only did Bailey lead the nation with 14.5 sacks in 2025, but he also led qualified edge defenders (231 players with at least 400 snaps) in total pressures per game (5.8) and pressure rate (22.5%).
If the Jets are looking for the player with a smoother transition to dominating as a pass rusher off the edge, Bailey is their guy.
No. 16 Overall: WR Makai Lemon, USC
“Despite his moderate size at 5-11, 192 pounds, Lemon’s breakout season in 2025 launched him into conversation with Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate for the best receiver in this class. His hallmarks are his toughness, run-after-catch skills and strong hands. His catch radius is better than you’d expect for a player who is built more like a slot receiver, leading to 20 contested catches over the past two seasons.
“For the Jets, Lemon’s firepower is necessary to take some attention away from Garrett Wilson. Outside of Wilson, no Jets receiver had over 30 receptions or 350 receiving yards in 2025.”
Lemon is the dream pick at No. 16 for many Jets fans. He would be an excellent complement to Garrett Wilson. Despite size concerns, he has the versatility to win outside as well as in the slot.
When the Jets traded Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, it signaled their acceptance of the modern NFL’s reality: scoring points matters more than preventing them. For that reason, an offensive player should be expected with the 16th overall selection.
Lemon would finally give the Jets a 1-2 punch at receiver that can compete with the best in the league.
No. 33 Overall: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
“The Jets traded away Sauce Gardner to the Colts last season, a move that was impossible to turn down given the two first-round picks in return. Hood is an explosive corner who shows upon against the run and brings good ball skills along with his 4.44 speed. He helped Tennessee withstand the absence of Jermod McCoy in 2025, finishing with 10 pass breakups.”
New York’s cornerback unit is deep, but it still lacks reliability. Starter Brandon Stephens was extremely inconsistent in 2025, while third-round rookie Azareye’h Thomas is still unproven after his first season was cut short.
Free agent pickup Nahshon Wright brings competition to the room, while Jarvis Brownlee Jr. returns to man the slot.
There are plenty of interesting players in the room, but until the Jets can lock down a quality starting trio, they can use as much talent as possible. Colton Hood would bring that to the table.
No. 44 Overall: DT Christen Miller, Georgia
“Miller would help fill the void created when the team traded away Quinnen Williams. (This pick is from Dallas in that trade.) Miller is a brick wall at 6-4, 321 pounds, using his length to get his arms up in passing lanes and his strength to help collapse the interior of the pocket.”
Jets fans will likely scoff at Yates’ second-round picks for the Jets. The selection of Christen Miller makes it three defensive players with New York’s four top-45 picks, an interesting decision after the team leaned heavily toward the defense in free agency.
The Jets have added four defensive tackles since August in Jowon Briggs, David Onyemata, Harrison Phillips, and T’Vondre Sweat. Defensive tackle went from one of the team’s weakest units to one of the strongest as we prepare for the draft.
Would Jets fans be on board with a defense-first draft class after the team already prioritized the defense in free agency?
