2026 New York Jets Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 9 picks | Overall Grade: B+ Last Updated: September 07, 2026Overview
New York Jets enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 9 selections. Biggest needs: Quarterback, IOL, Linebacker.
Complete Draft Class:Miami
— Grade A-
LSU
— Grade C+
Ohio State
— Grade C
Arizona
— Grade C-
Florida State
— Grade C-
View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →---
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #3 - New York Jets: Darian Mensah, Quarterback,
Miami
Rank: #16 overall | Grade: A- Why This Pick:Critical need filled. New York Jets desperately needed Quarterback help (need #1), and Darian Mensah was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Darian Mensah brings immediate impact to New York Jets. Mensah is a cerebral, accuracy-first pocket passer who has climbed onto 2027 radars after a meteoric rise from two-star San Luis Obispo recruit to ACC starter. He redshirted at Tulane in 2023, won the job in 2024 and threw for 2,723 yards with a 22:6... His best trait—elite accuracy and ball placement to all three levels, completing over 70% at duke while sustaining nearly nine yards per attempt—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Bo Nix (accuracy and processing carry a non-elite arm, system-fit precision passer)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #13 - New York Jets: KJ Bolden, Safety, Georgia
Rank: #15 overall | Grade: A- Trade: New York Jets acquired this pick from the Indianapolis Colts. Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While Safety wasn't the top priority, KJ Bolden's talent at #15 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:KJ Bolden brings immediate impact to New York Jets. KJ Bolden has stepped into the role vacated by first-round pick Malaki Starks and looks like the next in Georgia's pipeline of NFL-ready safeties. A consensus five-star recruit out of Buford (GA) and one of the top safeties in the 2024 class, Bolden... His best trait—elite range and closing speed from deep middle, gets hash-to-sideline without wasted motion—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Malaki Starks (Georgia lineage, three-level versatility, range from deep middle)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #17 - New York Jets: A'Mauri Washington, Defensive Line, Oregon
Rank: #13 overall | Grade: A- Trade: New York Jets acquired this pick from the Green Bay Packers. Why This Pick:Best player available. New York Jets needed Quarterback help, but A'Mauri Washington (ranked #13) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.
The Fit:A'Mauri Washington brings immediate impact to New York Jets. A'Mauri Washington has emerged as one of the biggest risers in the 2026 draft cycle after a breakout junior campaign at Oregon, living in opposing backfields after two quiet seasons buried behind eventual NFL picks Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch and Ja... His best trait—massive 6'3"/330 frame with rare athleticism for size—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Dontari Poe (massive interior body with rare movement skill)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #35 - New York Jets: Omarion Miller, Wide Receiver, Arizona State
Rank: #35 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While Wide Receiver wasn't the top priority, Omarion Miller's talent at #35 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:Omarion Miller brings immediate impact to New York Jets. Omarion Miller is a long, physical outside receiver who transfers into Arizona State for 2026 after three seasons at Colorado, and he arrives as one of the more coveted wideouts in the portal. He is the classic catch-point winner: at a verified 6-foo... His best trait—elite contested-catch producer, winning eleven of eighteen contested tries and 14 total on the year—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Keon Coleman (big-bodied outside X who wins contested and downfield more than with separation speed)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #67 - New York Jets: Iapani Laloulu, IOL, Oregon
Rank: #70 overall | Grade: B- Why This Pick:Critical need filled. New York Jets desperately needed IOL help (need #2), and Iapani Laloulu was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Iapani Laloulu brings immediate impact to New York Jets. Iapani Laloulu, the 329-pound Honolulu native nicknamed "Poncho," has developed into one of the top interior offensive line prospects in the 2027 class as Oregon's anchor at center. A former four-star Under Armour All-American out of Farrington High... His best trait—allowed zero sacks and only ten pressures across nearly 500 pass-blocking snaps as a sophomore—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Tyler Linderbaum (undersized leverage-and-IQ center who anchors and processes elite, lacks length)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #99 - New York Jets: Princewill Umanmielen, Edge Rusher,
LSU
Rank: #100 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Best player available. New York Jets needed Quarterback help, but Princewill Umanmielen (ranked #100) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.
The Fit:Princewill Umanmielen brings immediate impact to New York Jets. Princewill Umanmielen is an ascending edge rusher coming off a breakout 2025 at Ole Miss after two developmental seasons at Nebraska, and the younger brother of Carolina Panthers edge Princely Umanmielen. He ranked among the top players in the 2026 t... His best trait—long, explosive get-off with strong, active hands—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Princely Umanmielen, his brother, with a similar build but more development needed-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #131: Payton Pierce (Outside Linebacker,Ohio State
) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.
Pick #177: Jay'Vion Cole (Nickel Cornerback,Arizona
) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.
Pick #188: Xavier Chaplin (Offensive Tackle,Florida State
) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.
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Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B+ | 9 positions addressed across 9 picks.---