Perfect Picks 2026: New York Jets
By Jack Brentnall
Aaron Glenn’s first season as Jets head coach did not get off to an ideal start. A 3–14 finish marked the franchise’s worst record since 2020, and the pressure is now firmly on the new regime to show tangible progress in 2026.
This Perfect Picks article explores what an ideal draft could look like if the board breaks the right way. Rather than predicting draft weekend outcomes, the focus is on fit, value, and long-term roster construction, identifying prospects who align with the team’s needs at each stage of the draft.
The selections below account for scheme, roster holes, and realistic draft ranges, moving from early-round building blocks to mid-round value and late-round upside.
Round 1 - Dante Moore (QB, Oregon)
It is fair to say that recent first-round quarterbacks have not worked out for the Jets, but that should not deter them from trying to secure their franchise star of the future at No. 2 overall.
Despite what some national analysts would have you believe, this is not a horror show of a landing spot for a rookie quarterback. The Jets boast a pair of young, talented offensive tackles and a dominant wide receiver in Garrett Wilson. What they now need is the engine to get this offensive machine moving.
Moore is a talented quarterback who, despite a limited number of starts at the college level, has shown a notable degree of polish. His sense for ball placement and ability to throw with touch stand out, and he has consistently demonstrated the capacity to work through reads and execute pro-style concepts.
He would benefit from adding mass and continuing to refine his mechanics, but Moore has the potential to develop into a plus starter at the NFL level.
Round 1 - Caleb Banks (IDL, Florida)
With quarterback addressed, the Jets can turn their attention to a much-needed investment along the defensive interior with Caleb Banks. The departure of Quinnen Williams has left a significant hole, and the Jets need to find a long-term replacement.
Banks’ injury history will need to be carefully vetted, but if he receives a clean bill of health, this could represent one of the best value selections of the first round. At 6’6” and 334 pounds, he is a massive presence in the trenches, with vine-like arms and a jarring punch capable of overwhelming opponents.
He must continue to improve his pad level to become a more consistently disruptive presence, but Banks’ tape at Florida hinted at a special ceiling. He has the size, strength, and athleticism to become a true game-changer in the trenches.
Mid Round Gem - Xavier Scott (CB, Illinois)
The Jets need reinforcements at cornerback, and after selecting a lockdown boundary corner in Colton Hood near the top of the second round, they can dip back into the well with Scott.
Scott’s 2025 season was disrupted by injuries, but what he put on tape during his time at Illinois suggests that selecting him in the fourth round could prove to be one of the steals of the class. He shows exceptional ball skills, with strong hands and impressive timing, and he is also a physical, competitive run defender and tackler.
Scott is likely best suited to a nickel role at the pro level, but his versatility and comfort aligning both inside and outside would be of genuine value to the Jets’ secondary.
Late Round Sleeper - Oscar Delp (TE, Georgia)
It feels strange to label a former four-star recruit who played tight end at Georgia as a sleeper, but Delp is not receiving the attention he deserves.
His production at Georgia was never eye-catching, but there is enough evidence in the college-to-pro tight end pipeline to show that isn’t a barrier to NFL success.
Turning on Delp’s tape reveals an explosive athlete with the speed to stretch the seam and the fluidity to run routes with precision. He is also a willing blocker who is capable of lining up as a true inline tight end.
Those traits carry significant value when projecting to the pro level, and Delp would give Dante Moore another useful weapon in the passing game. He has the potential to be a day-one starter and profiles as a player who could ultimately enjoy a better professional career than college one.
Draft in full
12 (R1) – Dante Moore (QB, Oregon)
16 (R1) – Caleb Banks (IDL, Florida)
33 (R2) – Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
44 (R2) – Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
103 (R4) – Xavier Scott (CB, Illinois)
175 (R5) – Oscar Delp (TE, Georgia)
178 (R5) – Max Llewelyn (EDGE, Iowa)
204 (R6) – De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
211 (R6) – Bryce Boettcher (LB, Oregon)
218 (R7) – VJ Payne (S, Kansas State)
