Jets pull the trigger on a quarterback and find replacements for Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in 2026 NFL mock draft
The New York Jets scraped and clawed on Sunday against arguably the hottest team in the NFL, but it wasn’t enough to thwart the Baltimore Ravens momentum, as the Jets added another L to the win-loss column. And let’s be honest, it’s been draft season in New York since October, as the team just hasn’t […]
The New York Jets scraped and clawed on Sunday against arguably the hottest team in the NFL, but it wasn’t enough to thwart the Baltimore Ravens momentum, as the Jets added another L to the win-loss column.
And let’s be honest, it’s been draft season in New York since October, as the team just hasn’t looked competitive on a consistent basis. But a few weeks ago, the Jets really kicked things into high gear when they traded arguably their best defensive players in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner to the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.
So what should they do with that capital? Here is a look at four players the Jets should strongly consider come April.
R1, No. 5 Overall: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Jets may want to wait until 2027 to find their future franchise signal caller, but the team just benched Justin Fields this week, and they will have a tough time getting butts in seats if they don’t use some significant draft capital on a new QB. Here, they take the best signal caller in the class, and someone who has all the makings of a franchise quarterback. Size, precision, mechanics, there is a lot to like for New York.
R1, No. 28 Overall: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
When the Jets traded away Sauce Gardner, they left a giant hole in their defense. To assume that Hood will be able to step in and replace a 2x All-Pro is rich, but there is a lot to like about Hood. He’s not quite the size of Gardner, but he’s well built for the position, and he carries his weight proportionally, evident by his fluid movements and ability to play the ball at the catch point.
R2, No. 36 overall: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Miller doesn’t have the pass-rush upside that Quinnen Williams does (few do), but he is a plug-and-play run stuffer with high upside. He is put together like many of the Georgia interior defensive linemen before him, and I believe he can develop into an every-down player thanks to his explosive lower half and brute strength.
R2, No. 44 overall: Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon
There is a ton to like with Thieneman. Caleb Downs will take all the shine in this safety class, and he should, but turn on Thieneman’s tape and you see someone with the range to play post safety, the build and tenacity to come down in run support, and the instincts to find his way to the football. You’re talking about an immediate starter for a Jets defense that needs some turnover help and more intensity in the backend.
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