The 2025 season has not gone the way many Jets fans would have expected.
However, there’s possible hope around the corner.
After trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams earlier this month, the Jets will have a total of five first-round picks combined in both the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. That includes two first-round picks next year, including their own.
That could help them go from pretenders to contenders if they can make the right draft choices. Of course, that is easier said than done after the Jets have missed the playoffs for 15 seasons and counting.
In addition to the quarterback position, the Jets have several needs to address. Here are some of the positions of need entering the offseason and who could potentially be targets in next year’s draft.
WIDE RECEIVER
It’s no secret the Jets need receivers outside of Garrett Wilson. The other receivers on the roster are Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson, Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III.
Even if the Jets don’t decide to draft a quarterback in 2026, they need to add weapons who can help improve an offense that’s near the bottom of the league in several statistical categories. Next year’s draft should include several receivers who would be upgrades.
KC Concepcion from Texas A&M would be a perfect slot receiver for Wilson and the Jets offense. The 5-11, 190 junior brings a lot of versatility, including being used as a gadget player in the Aggies offense. In 10 games, Concepcion has 47 catches for 787 yards and eight touchdowns.
Washington’s Denzel Boston, Louisville’s Chris Bell and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate could also be options for the Jets.
DEFENSIVE BACK
After dealing away Gardner, the Jets could use another cornerback and a safety (Andre Cisco will miss the final nine games after tearing his pectoral in the Week 8 victory against the Bengals).
If the Jets go the cornerback route in Round 1, Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood is someone who makes sense. He excels in both man and zone coverages and is a prideful tackler, an area the Jets could use, considering their defense has taken a step back this season. Other cornerback targets in possible later rounds include San Diego State’s Chris Johnson and Penn State’s A. J. Harris.
In terms of safety help, Arizona’s Genesis Smith is an underrated prospect the Jets could target on Day 2 of the draft. At 6-2, 204 pounds, Smith has the prototypical size teams want in a safety, but with the speed and skill to anticipate receivers’ routes over the middle and deep down the field.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Both John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker will be free agents following the 2025 season. Depending on what the Jets decide to do with Joe Tippmann, they could use two guards along the offensive line. They could also keep Tippmann at right guard, but possibly upgrade at center and either re-sign Simpson or sign a left guard in free agency.
Oregon’s Alex Harkey, who transferred from Texas State during the offseason, would be an excellent fit. He’s an outstanding run blocker who projects as a guard at the next level. But Harkey also has the flexibility to play at right tackle.
DEFENSIVE LINE
After trading Williams away, the Jets could use help in their interior. Clemson’s Peter Woods is the best defensive lineman projected to be available next April. But if the Jets want to wait to address the holes on the defensive line, Florida’s Caleb Banks and Oregon’s Bear Alexander are solid players who could be immediate contributors.
Banks is explosive, agile, and athletic at 6-6, 330 pounds, and is also a force in stopping the run. Alexander is a versatile lineman who can who can line up at multiple positions along the defensive line.
QUARTERBACK
Obviously, we can’t forget about the quarterback position and how important it is for the Jets to find a long-term solution there. In 2021, former Jets general manager Joe Douglas selected Zach Wilson No. 2 overall, hoping he would be the answer, but he was traded in 2024 after three dreadful seasons with the team.
The projected quarterbacks who will be available in 2026 have sparked mixed opinions among analysts. However, Fernando Mendoza seems like the best option for Tanner Engstrand’s offense. While he doesn’t have the strongest arm in the world, Mendoza is incredibly intelligent and can make every NFL throw.
What might be better than his ability to make every throw is Mendoza’s ball placement, which is arguably the best of anyone who will be available next April. He often places passes where only his receivers can reach them. He is a pocket passer, but Mendoza has enough scrambling ability to move the chains and force defenses to keep an eye on him regularly.
