ESPN exposes Jets’ obvious draft plan after failing to fix a long-standing roster issue that’s bothered them for years
The Jets are clearly targeting wide receiver early, and often, in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft after making literally zero additions in free agency.
It’s all about the future for the New York Jets, as the team tries to find its footing after a disastrous 3-14 season that ended with five straight losses.
The team was top-5 in cap space heading into the offseason and used a solid chunk of money twoard fortifying the defense, but all the Jets did on offense was trade for Geno Smith and sign fifth-year guard Dylan Parham.
It’s a big surprise, considering just how bad the Jets offense was last year. ESPN’s Ben Solak recently pointed out how the team literally did nothing to improve a bad receiver room and how it’s now obvious the Jets will address the position, multiple times, in the upcoming draft:
“Almost all of the Jets’ moves were centralized on fielding a functional defense, which is reasonable. But I’m stunned that they were OK running it back with Adonai Mitchell as WR2 (and quasi-WR1 when Garrett Wilson is banged up).
Although there’s no receiver worth the second pick, it seems inevitable that the Jets will use that 16th selection to either move up or down for a viable wideout opposite Wilson. Ideally, they’ll make multiple middle-round picks at the position, as well — they have no depth at all.” – Ben Solak, ESPN
Why did the Jets skip out on wide receiver in free agency?
It’s unclear why the Jets made zero moves regarding receiver. Granted, they were never going to get a guy like Mike Evans because he was more ring-chasing, than anything. So, we have to keep expectations realistic and understand where things currently stand in terms of the league’s perception of the Jets.
But, that’s not to say they could’ve landed a Romeo Doubs, Wan’Dale Robinson, or Rashid Shaheed. Money is no issue for the Jets, so the idea of matching the contracts those guys received is totally plausible. Now, no one is saying to just throw money at the wall for any player. At the same time, though, it’d be a mistake to think the Jets can’t hang with the rest of the NFL, contract-wise, no matter the player.
Maybe it’s a case of where they want to get some young guys in on cheap contracts that can form a growing relationship with whatever quarterback the Jets take with one of their three first-rounders in the 2027 draft. Barring a miracle, the Jets’ actual pick of the bunch should land in the top-5 when considering the current outlook for this season.
Still, the bottom line is the Jets did absolutely nothing to fix a position that’s been a big question mark for years and that’s hard to digest?
Who are the top remaining wide receiver free agents?
The Jets still have a shot to legitimately upgrade the room. Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and Stefon Diggs are guys who can certainly add some kind of boost to an offense. They’re not the missing piece to a Super Bowl run, by any means, but they can still provide quality snaps on a consistent basis when they’re in the right situation.
So, time’s not completely out on the Jets and upgrading the receiver room, but that doesn’t change anything. There’s no way this offense competes on a consistent basis if it expects this corps to carry the passing attack in 2026.
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