One of my favorite parts about the time between the NFL Draft which just wrapped up this weekend and the actual kickoff for the next season, is the overreaction and oversimplification of NFL rosters.

To that end, one of the first things that come out every year at this time is a “way, way, way too early mock draft” for the following year. Even if every player in college football had their stock remain exactly the same as it is today, we are also predicting how each NFL team will fare in a season that hasn’t even begun yet.

So, with that in mind, Dane Bruger, who I have a lot of respect for and I think does a fantastic job every year when he puts out “The Beast”, a comprehensive player analysis for all the draft-eligible players, put out his 2026 NFL Mock draft.

Right off the bat, I have an issue as he has the New Orleans Saints taking Arch Manning with the number one overall pick. The only problem is Manning has never started more than a couple of games in a season and will only be a junior this year. As any Jets fan knows, Mannings don’t leave school early.

Dane’s next pick? The New York Jets. He has the Jets having the second worst record in the NFL this season and taking quarterback LaNorris Sellers out of South Carolina.

Let’s start with the obvious. The Jets are not bad enough to have the second-worst record in the NFL. Do I believe they are likely picking in the top 10-12? Yes. But there is a big difference in top 10 versus top two. Justin Fields is not a franchise quarterback in my opinion, but his athletic ability alone, coupled with the Jets offensive line and running backs are good enough for five or six wins alone.

Again, do I think the Jets are a playoff team? No. Do I think they are bad enough to be top 2 or 3 worst? Also, no. I think it would be better for everyone if they proved to be either of those things than simply hanging around in the lower levels of purgatory, but here we are.

He also has the Jets taking LaNorris Sellars, a 6-foot-3, 242-pound running quarterback.

With his dual-threat skills, Sellers was one of the most entertaining college quarterbacks to watch last season. It is probably too early to be talking about him this early in the draft, but that will change if he takes another step in his development as a passer. -Dane Bruger, The Athletic

Call me old school, but the number one thing my quarterback needs to be able to do is throw the football, not run it. The quarterback’s job is to run the offense, not run the football. Does having a quarterback who can run add a fantastic dimension to an offense? Absolutely. But running should come last, not first.

Bruger has the Jets passing on other quarterbacks to take Sellers second overall and at this point I can’t see any reason for them to do so. Quarterbacks like Drew Allar out of Penn State, or Garrett Nussmeier out of LSU, or even the quarterback most had mocked first overall last year at this time, Carson Beck now at Miami. 

While these mock drafts are a fun exercise, I think Dane is off with his evaluation of the Jets.  And while Sellers might be one of the most fun players to watch on Saturdays, I think there is a big difference when players line up on Sunday.

Jets way-too-early 53-man roster projection following 2025 NFL Draft features all seven draft picks and one undrafted free agent

They don't play the games in April, but if they did, the New York Jets would feature a 53-man roster with plenty to prove. The Jets officially added seven rookies in the 2025 NFL draft and unofficially 12 from college free agency. More roster moves will come in time, and the unpredictability of training camp […]