New York Jets get off to a controversial start, completely overhaul defense in latest 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft
The latest seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft gives the New York Jets a fresh start to their future.
The New York Jets have a huge opportunity in front of them during the 2026 NFL Draft. With 12 total selections, head coach Aaron Glenn and the staff have a chance to flip both their fortune and the roster in a three-day span. This team will need to make several key picks, or the program’s future could get a bit murky.
In my latest seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft, there was an intention to upgrade the offense, but the board fell a bit weird early. Instead, this mock turned into a very defensive-heavy one early on. From there, it was about finding value throughout. The latter was definitely accomplished with those 12 selections.
New York Jets 7-Round Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 2: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
At 6-4 and 245 pounds, the upside is there for Reese to develop into a Pro Bowler at a couple of different positions. His combination of explosiveness, raw size, length, and versatility is impressive. Reese has difference-making upside on the next level with a creative defensive coordinator.
Round 1, Pick 16: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
A ball of chaos at 6-2 and 315 pounds, Woods had a season to forget in 2025. The talent is certainly there for him to become a difference-maker. Woods just needs to become a lot more consistent.
Round 2, Pick 33: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Hood is a physical press-man cornerback who ran a 10.4 100-meter time in high school. Hood’s hip fluidity is just average, but he has the upside to develop into a plus starter in the right system.
Round 2, Pick 44: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
Thomas is a smaller standup rusher, but he is lightning coming off the edge. While he is never going to be a notable performer against the run, there is no doubt that Thomas can get after the quarterback.
Round 4, Pick 103: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Some durability issues have overshadowed the fact that Williams is a very good football player. If healthy, he has the upside to develop into a starting slot receiver with good route-running ability and after-catch impact.
Round 5, Pick 175: John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
From a size and athleticism combination, it is all there for Gyllenborg to become a valuable contributor to a tight end room on the next level. While he is a very gifted athlete, he still needs to learn the finer points of playing the position.
Round 5, Pick 178: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
A former wide receiver, Randall had a lot of flashes in his lone season as a running back in 2025. At over 6-2 and 230 pounds, he is a big athlete with a unique pass-catching skill set.
Round 6, Pick 193: Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College
Bond won’t blow anyone away from a physical perspective, but he just gets open. He will be a welcome addition to a wide receiver room that needs to get more dependable.
Round 6, Pick 204: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Payton has a strong arm and is a good athlete, but he is nowhere close to playing a significant amount on the NFL level. The hope is that a team can be patient with the former North Dakota State star, offering some developmental potential.
Round 6, Pick 211: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
A bigger safety at around 6-4 and 215 pounds, Wisniewski could eventually move to linebacker on the NFL level. Wisniewski should, at worst, give a team a dynamite special teamer with some interesting subpackage upside.
Round 7, Pick 218: Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
The raw size, length, and movement skills suggest that Pounds would be a future NFL starter. He is going to need a lot of help, technically, if he ever wants to earn substantial playing time.
Round 7, Pick 240: Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas
Ball’s flashes on film are extremely positive. He just disappears a bit too often, but the tools are still intriguing to develop.