The opening night of the 2026 NFL draft was an eventful one for the New York Jets, who walked away with three players: EDGE David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, and WR Omar Cooper.

Friday night is shaping up to be a quieter one for New York. After trading up from pick No. 33 to pick No. 30 to take Cooper, the Jets only have one pick on Day 2, coming at No. 44 overall in the second round. They possess no third-round picks.

As the Jets prepare to make the 12th pick of the second round, here is a ranking of the best available fits.

1. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The consensus No. 19 overall prospect, McCoy is widely considered the best player available.

McCoy was a dominant sophomore cornerback for Tennessee in 2024 before a torn ACL cost him his 2025 season. Despite the injury, McCoy was still expected to be taken in the first round, but it appears that the lost season has tanked his stock more than anticipated.

We’ll see if the medical red flag causes him to tumble far into Day 2, or if he is quickly scooped up at the top of the round. If he makes his way to the Jets at No. 44, his upside would be extremely hard to pass up, but his availability would raise questions as to why 11 more teams passed on him.

2. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

As a 20-year-old true junior in 2025, Allen was an on-field play caller for the Georgia Bulldogs. Known for his intelligence and sound tackling, Allen racked up 88 tackles and 3.5 sacks on his way to All-American honors.

The Jets could use young depth behind a starting linebacker duo that features an aging Demario Davis and a questionable Jamien Sherwood.

3. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas A&M

Rodriguez offers another intriguing option to fill the Jets’ short and long-term need at linebacker.

He is the prototype modern linebacker, standing at 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds with 4.57 speed. In 2025, he was a dominant coverage defender for the Aggies, racking up 4 interceptions and a 92.3 coverage grade at Pro Football Focus. He also forced seven fumbles.

The main concern with Rodriguez is that he didn’t scratch that level of production until after he turned 23. He will be 24 at the start of his rookie year.

4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Small-school concerns dropped McNeil-Warren into the second round, but he put together a sustained track record as one of the best playmaking safeties in the country.

Over the last three years, McNeil-Warren collected eight forced fumbles, five interceptions, and 207 tackles, all while allowing just three touchdowns in coverage and committing one penalty. Even with extensive college experience, he’ll be only 22 this season.

5. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons star A.J. Terrell, the Clemson product is a physical corner, racking up eight forced fumbles, 9.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks over the last two seasons as a starter for the Tigers.

6. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Hood doesn’t have the playmaking prowess of McCoy or Terrell, but he was stingy in coverage this past season with McCoy sidelined for the Volunteers. Hood, who stands at nearly six feet and 193 pounds with 4.44 speed, allowed just 28 receptions and one touchdown across 451 coverage snaps.

7. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

The Jets can use competition and depth on the interior of their offensive line.

Pregnon ranked as Pro Football Focus’ top Power Four guard in 2025, dominating in both phases while committing just one penalty. The problem is that he’ll already be 25 years old in October. So, if it’s potential the Jets are after, Pregnon might not be their man, but if they want instant reliability up front, he should be a plug-and-play piece.

8. Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

Bistontis started out as a right tackle for the Aggies before moving to left guard over the last two seasons, where he excelled in pass protection but had some issues with penalties and run blocking.

9. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Early in the draft process, Boston was popularly mentioned as an option for the Jets’ 16th overall pick, until concerns about his speed and separation dropped him down the board. Still, at nearly 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds with incredible consistency in contested catch situations, Boston is a worthy candidate to be chosen early in the second round.

The Jets already traded up to select Omar Cooper, but they are too thin at receiver (and too weak on offense in general) to rule out a second consecutive pick at the position if Boston is the top player on their board.

10. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Jets are deep at defensive tackle, so it is one of their least pressing needs, but McDonald is one of the best available players entering Day 2.

Ranked 29th on the consensus big board, he was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025, thanks to his stout run defense. His pass rushing is a work in progress, but there’s potential in that area.

As a run defender, though, McDonald is a high-floor prospect who should step right in and build a wall for any NFL defense. Only 21 years old entering his rookie year, McDonald could give the Jets a long-term option to replace Harrison Phillips.