With the 2025 NFL season set to end this weekend, New York Jets fans are slowly beginning to shift their focus towards the offseason.

While the free agency period will be a hot topic amongst the fanbase, general manager Darren Mougey and the front office have an ample amount of picks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. Out of the 12 picks the franchise has this draft, the Jets possess two first-round picks, along with a total of four within the first two days.

Here’s how Mougey’s strategy could look leading up to the big day.

Unfortunately for Jets fans, the 2026 quarterback class is substantially weaker than last year's, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza being the lone quarterback prospect to be selected in the first round.

However, this allows Mougey to rebuild the defense with the No. 2 pick, as the unit lost two star players in defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner. While he does not play on the interior, Ohio State’s Avrell Reese is widely considered to be one of the best prospects in the 2026 class.

At 6-foot-4, 243 lbs., Reese is truly a jack-of-all-trades player on the defensive side of the ball. During his final season at the college level, the Cleveland, OH, native primarily played as a linebacker, but is projected to be a defensive end in the NFL due to his combination of size and quickness off the line of scrimmage. Depending on Reese’s development track, he could easily become the Jets’ top pass rusher for the future.

New York’s cornerback room, despite losing Gardner, still has plenty of depth heading into next season. But, in order to completely restructure the room, it’s clear that the Jets need a defensive back with the potential to be the top cornerback in the room.

One name that stood out throughout the course of the 2025 college football season was Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, who finished the year with 48 tackles, nine pass deflections, and five forced fumbles. Terrell may have a small stature (5-foot-11, 180 lbs.), but his aggressive style of play on defense is a perfect fit for the Jets’ secondary unit next season.

Similar to the cornerback room, New York’s interior defensive line includes multiple young players, but lacks a true three-down threat with Williams out of the picture.

Luckily, Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter continues to shoot up draft boards after his incredible 2025 season with the Red Raiders. Hunter ended his senior year with 19 quarterback hurries and two sacks, along with a run defense grade of 84.5, according to PFF. His ability to be a force in both the pass and run game is exactly what the Jets’ front four needs for next season, making him a steal at pick No. 33.

Shifting to the offensive side of the ball, the Jets desperately need an additional playmaker to play alongside current wideout Garrett Wilson.

Coming off a National Championship victory, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. would be the perfect secondary pass catcher to pair with Wilson due to his ability to create yards after the catch. Cooper finished with an average of 7.2 yards after the catch in 2025, which was tied for the 59th-best margin across the FBS.

At 6-foot, 204 lbs., many draft analysts have compared Cooper to Kansas City Chiefs Rashee Rice and Washington Commanders Deebo Samuel.

Round Four, Pick No. 103: Mike Washington Jr. (RB, Arkansas)

Round Five, Pick No. 175: Devon Marshall (CB, NC State)

Round Five, Pick No. 178: Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR, Missouri)

Round Six, Pick No. 193: Bryce Boettcher (LB, Oregon)

Round Six, Pick No. 207: Vincent Anthony Jr. (EDGE, Duke)

Round Six, Pick No. 210: Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas)

Round Seven, Pick No. 218: Elijah Pritchett (OT, Nebraska)

Round Seven, Pick No. 242: Caden Barnett (IOL, Wyoming)