NY Jets trade up for their QB of the future, add a playmaker, and plug massive needs on defense in latest 4-round NFL mock draft

Latest 4-round 2026 NFL mock draft gifts HC Aaron Glenn his quarterback of the future, and some dynamic defenders.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer

Dec 22, 2025 12:14 PM EST

Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on before the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The New York Jets showed some signs of life after a couple of midseason trades, but they have fallen back down to reality: This is a really bad football team. Head coach Aaron Glenn and his staff need to work diligently to reload this roster in a hurry. There are holes everywhere on both sides of the football.

Luckily for the program, the team has a load of draft capital over the next couple of years. In the latest 4-round 2026 NFL mock draft, New York made a big trade-up swing to get their quarterback of the future. From there, it was about filling some of the bigger needs on the roster.

(New York Jets trade No. 4, No. 18, and a 2027 second-rounder to the New York Giants for No.1 and a 2027 fifth-round selection.)

Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

There is going to be an extremely fun debate between Mendoza and Oregon signal caller Dante Moore to be the first quarterback off the board in April. Mendoza brings the preferred size that scouts like at 6-5 and 225 pounds. He is a smooth processor and brings a solid mixture of arm strength, accuracy, and pocket mobility. The Jets finally get their guy.

He’s a bit unorthodox at times but Cal QB Fernando Mendoza has some impressive moments on film. The Golden Bears will need him to have a big game this weekend against Miami. pic.twitter.com/QXoG44uI2l
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) October 4, 2024

Round 2, Pick 36: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

At 6-6 and 330 pounds with impressive movement skills, length, and raw power, Banks has all the upside in the world. An injury, unfortunately, has limited the talented interior defender from making a massive jump in his final year. The Jets luck out and land a first-round talent at the beginning of round two. With Quinnen Williams now in Dallas, adding a talent like Banks would be massive, quite literally.

If he puts it all together, Florida DT Caleb Banks (#88) has the upside to be a top five player in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Rare athlete for his size (listed 6-6, 325 pounds).

It’s an aggressive comp, but there is a lot of Chris Jones in his game. pic.twitter.com/dogExl731g
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) April 30, 2025

Round 2, Pick 46: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Johnson has quietly been a big riser over the course of the 2025 season. He is a really smooth athlete who has upside to play either zone or man coverage on the next level. With the team having said goodbye to Sauce Gardner this season via trade, the Jets have a nice need at cornerback to go along with Jarvis Brownlee.

Round 4, Pick 105: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma

Burks has struggled with some durability concerns the last two seasons, but he is still a dynamic athlete when he is on the field. He has the ability to turn a short pass into a massive gain in the blink of an eye. His combination of acceleration, short-area quickness, and field vision allows Burks to be a big weapon after the catch, which could be a big help for Mendoza.