{"id":269352,"date":"2026-03-17T12:00:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T16:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=269352"},"modified":"2026-03-16T23:02:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T03:02:23","slug":"jets-nfl-draft-options-after-first-week-of-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/03\/17\/jets-nfl-draft-options-after-first-week-of-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Jets NFL Draft Options After First Week of Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the new league year arriving on Wednesday, the NFL offseason is underway. Thus far, it’s been a memorable one around the league. Some major moves were made around the league by contenders to shore up weaknesses. Meanwhile, franchises parted ways with long-tenured players, hoping to start fresh. The same can be said for New York. The Jets prioritized defense early. After acquiring six new starters, the defense should look much better. The offense hopes the Geno Smith reunion<\/a> can provide more stability at quarterback. It’s a good start; however, more must be done to improve after a disastrous 2025. Now, to truly capitalize, general manager Darren Mougey needs to ace the NFL Draft<\/a> in April.<\/p>\n

With four picks within the top 45, they have options. Is Arvell Reese<\/a> a lock at number two overall? Are they done adding in the secondary? Will they find a true complementary wide receiver next to Garrett Wilson? Let’s examine some routes New York can take with their first four picks.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Jets Draft Options After First Week of Free Agency<\/h2>\n

Second Overall Pick: Ohio State linebacker\/edge Arvell Reese or Texas Tech edge David Bailey<\/a><\/h3>\n

The front-seven got a major facelift. Head coach Aaron Glenn reunites with old players, defensive tackle David Onyemata & middle linebacker Demario Davis. Joining Onyemata up the middle for the Jets is newly acquired T’vondre Sweat<\/a>. Not to mention the Jets new edge rushing duo of Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enabare. However, New York should still use the second overall pick<\/a> on an edge rusher opposite Will McDonald.<\/p>\n

With that said, New York has two promising options in front of it. Projected favorite Arvell Reese brings championship experience & positional versatility. He might not live up to the Micah Parsons comparisons, but he plays with a head full of steam to stop the run and shows an ability to get into the backfield with ease. Some detractors might look at his lack of pass rushing from his starting on the edge early. Fortunately, New York is prepared. If selected, Ossai can start early for New York. Meanwhile, renowned defensive line coach Karl Dunbar can round out Reese’s pass rush arsenal to maximize his edge potential.<\/p>\n

\"Top
Oct 25, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive end David Bailey (31) pressures Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Noah Walters (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, Texas Tech’s David Bailey<\/a> is making his case. While Bailey isn’t as flashy, the edge rusher produced this year with 14.5 sacks last year. Primarily, teams are drawn to Bailey for his explosive first step. Keep in mind, some are concerned with Bailey being an every-down player due to his size. Despite his production, Bailey could find it hard to be a full-time starter at only 250lbs. But, in the Jets prefered use of 4-3 fronts, Bailey will get the chance to succeed after NY’s depth additions.<\/p>\n

16th Overall Pick: Adding to the secondary? A wide receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson?<\/h3>\n

After the second overall pick is decided, Mougey’s night isn’t finished yet. This April, New York is one of four teams that have the two first-round picks. Joining them are the Cleveland Browns, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a result, the 16th overall pick must be decided upon. Recently, New York has been mocked for wide receiver Makai Lemon<\/a>. Due to a need at wide receiver next to Garrett Wilson, the Trojan playmaker would be a great component to the team’s offense. Along with Lemon, explosive Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State<\/a> could fit the bill. While injury history will lead to detractors, Tyson proved he can be a difference-maker to any quarterback.<\/p>\n

\"49ers
Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs the ball against Northwestern Wildcats cornerback Fred Davis II (2) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, it’s not out of the question that New York could still focus on defense. After becoming the second-worst scoring defense in the league in 2025, more help is always welcome. This time, New York moves away from the line of scrimmage into the secondary. Despite a torn ACL robbing his junior year, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy<\/a> was a star in Knoxville. If recovered, McCoy would be a great investment opposite of Brandon Stephens long-term. However, should McCoy be taken earlier, expect Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell<\/a> to be an option. He’ll need to add some size, but Terrell showed outstanding ball coverage skills. Similar to that of his older brother, AJ Terrell of the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Second Round, 33rd Overall Pick: Jets can start Day-Two with a Bang<\/h3>\n

After having the second-worst record in the league, New York starts Day Two of the draft with the first pick of the second round. Operating essentially like a third first-round pick, Darren Mougey will have his pick of any players who just missed the first round. It’s hard to determine who will be on the board at this range. Potentially, a player like defensive tackle Lee Hunter<\/a> from Texas Tech will be on the board. The 6’3″, 320lbs run stopper would be a solid interior defensive lineman to develop with T’Vondre Sweat. In addition, if they use the 16th pick on a wide receiver, New York can also target a cornerback. One popular name is Brandon Cisse<\/a> of South Carolina.<\/p>\n

\"2026
Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On offense, if he makes it to the second round, Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon<\/a> would be a solid addition. He might struggle early against twitchy interior linemen, but his abilities as a run blocker would be helpful to Breece Hall in creating running lanes. One intriguing option could be Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson<\/a>. Despite one year of starting, the Crimson Tide quarterback put together some great tape after leading Alabama<\/a> to the College Football Playoff. In all likelihood, Simpson will be drafted in the first round after someone moves back into the first round for him. But, with a need for a quarterback, the Jets could take him at 33rd and still be in a position for a quarterback in 2027. Just look at how the Titans drafted Will Levis in 2023 before making Cam Ward the first pick in 2025.<\/p>\n

Second Round, 33rd Overall Pick: Demario Davis finds a protege<\/h3>\n

After Quinnen Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, the Jets acquired the 44th overall pick along with either the Cowboys or Green Bay Packers first-round picks. Whichever is the higher of the two. This gives New York one last opportunity to add an impactful talent before their next pick in the 4th round. One option could be to add a middle linebacker.<\/p>\n

After a strong senior season as a Heisman finalist, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez<\/a> demonstrated his value as a leader. On the field, Rodriguez shone after setting an NCAA record seven forced fumbles last year. Arriving to Lubock as a transfer from Virginia, Rodriguez worked his way up the depth chart. After leading the Red Raiders to the College Football Playoff, Rodriguez has the type of demeanor to be a long-term vocal leader on the right team. Imagine him in New York learning firsthand from a great linebacker in Demario Davis?<\/p>\n

\"Jacob
Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Jacob Rodriguez (10) reacts after a play against the Brigham Young Cougars at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On offense, one route that could be helpful is a tight end. After getting Mason Taylor in the second round, it wouldn’t hurt to grab another one that can also turn into a solid playmaker. Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers<\/a> showed a lot of promise in the Commodores’ offense. Running 12 personnel with Taylor and Stowers in short-yardage situations adds a new dimension to the offense. Alas,\u00a0 Stowers blocking is a weakness. However, using him more as a big-bodied receiver would add a solid pass-catcher to aid Geno Smith this year and their quarterback of the future long term.<\/p>\n

Main Photo: [Raymond Carlin III] – Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After the first week of NFL Free Agency, New York made some major improvements. How does it affect the Jets in the NFL Draft?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4597,"featured_media":269517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1647,6],"tags":[33533,33842,32929,33706,33773,7330],"class_list":["post-269352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-draft","category-jets","tag-2026-nfl-draft","tag-arvell-reese","tag-david-bailey","tag-jermod-mccoy","tag-makai-lemon","tag-new-york-jets-news"],"modified_by":"Michael Zimmelman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4597"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=269352"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":269359,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269352\/revisions\/269359"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/269517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=269352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=269352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=269352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}