New York Jets land franchise QB, load up with a generational weapon around him to maximize 2-year blockbuster trade return in latest 2026 mock draft
The New Jets lands an incredibly impressive haul for the 2026 and 2027 NFL drafts.
It has been a hectic day for the New York Jets ahead of the trade deadline, offloading star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. That duo managed to fetch head coach Aaron Glenn and the Jets a total of three first-round selections, a second-rounder, wide receiver AD Mitchell, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. That type of draft capital provides a very intriguing foundation for the future.
For fun, but an inexact exercise, it is interesting to look ahead and think about what that type of capital could provide for the Jets. Whenever you load up with that many high draft picks, it is very possible that the Jets eventually decide to use them to move around in either of the next two drafts. With two first-round selections this year and three in 2027, the Jets have now become the front office and team to watch. Yes, things are going to change, but let’s have some fun and explore what a potential haul could look like.
If you are here to argue about where the picks are projected right now, don’t. Nobody knows how good teams will be during the 2026 NFL season right now, so I decided to keep them in the same slot they are projected at in 2026. Once again, the exact spot of the selections is going to change. This would be a dynamite haul if they choose not to trade any of them.
2026 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 3: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
There is going to be a heavy debate about the order for quarterbacks to come off the board. The conversation will begin with the New Orleans Saints at No. 1, and we will see which way they choose to go. The Tennessee Titans select at No. 2, and I am sure that they will be in the market to move back. They could, however, stick and select whoever they deem to be the best pass rusher on the board. In this scenario, I opted to give them Moore, who is one of the more natural passers in the entire class. If he continues to improve, the former UCLA transfer has a chance to become a very good starter on the NFL level.
Round 1, Pick 32 (via IND): Caleb Hood, CB, Tennessee
It has been a bummer that All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy hasn’t been available this season, but luckily for the Volunteers, Hood has had a tremendous breakout season. The redshirt sophomore is an incredibly smooth cornerback, possessing clean technique, good movement skills, and tremendous football IQ. There is a lot to love about Hood, especially at this spot in the draft. While he won’t be Sauce Gardner, Hood should create a nice young cornerback tandem with Jarvis Brownlee. It is a much cheaper one, as well.
2027 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 3: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Smith is a generational talent at wide receiver, and there is a chance he could threaten to be the top overall selection off the board in 2027. That is a position, however, that hasn’t gone that high historically, and hasn’t happened since the Jets drafted Keyshawn Johnson with top top pick back in the 1996 NFL Draft. The 6-3, 225-pound pass catcher has been elite for the Buckeyes since he arrived on campus, hauling in 131 receptions for 2,040 yards and 24 touchdowns in 24 games. He is a freaky athlete with incredible strength, explosiveness, and long speed.
Round 1, Pick 14 (via DAL): Jayden Jackson, DT, Oklahoma
A part of a dominant Oklahoma Sooner defensive line, Jackson is a lot to handle on the interior. With Williams off to Dallas, there is a big need at defensive tackle. The 6-2, 322-pound defender does some of his best work at the nose, but also has the explosiveness and movement skills to play up and down the line of scrimmage. So far in 2025, Jackson has recorded 22 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks. His raw stats far outweigh his impact.
Round 1, Pick 32 (via IND): Koi Perich, S, Minnesota
A former Top-100 recruit, Perich opted to stay in his home state to play for the Golden Gophers. During his two years with Minnesota so far, Perich has managed to record 100 total tackles, six interceptions, four pass breakups, and 4.5 tackles for loss. Perich has also returned punts and kicks, while also moonlighting on the offensive side of the football. The 6-1, 200-pound defender is a very talented football player.
New York Jets News
Sauce Gardner sends one last message to the Jets after getting traded to the Colts
The All-Pro cornerback is on his way out of town and wanted to say his goodbyes.
