The New York Jets have a lot of work to do this offseason. Aside from filling out their new-look coaching staff, the Jets also need to nail their free agent spending and their draft picks this offseason.
They’re not going to get the top quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, but with a huge hole at the position, a QB down the board isn’t out of the question. But, they’re much more than a QB away from competing for a playoff spot.
That’s why ESPN’s Matt Miller’s mock draft for Rounds 1 and 2 would be a near-perfect scenario for the Jets. Not only do they land incredible talent at positions of need, but they don’t overspend on any player in the class.
Jets get near-perfect mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller
At the second overall pick, Miller has the Jets taking Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese. With a huge hole at QB, Miller elects to go with a pass rusher for the Jets.
Why? “After ranking 31st in sacks this season (26),” Miller writes, “New York needs a primary pass rusher who will scare offenses.”
Reese will do just that, as he’s one of the best defensive players in the class, and while he split time at linebacker, the development of Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter in the NFL is the reason not worry about this selection.
Then, down the board at pick 16, Miller has the Jets going offense. Except, it’s not a quarterback. He has the Jets taking USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
While Garrett Wilson is a great number one WR, the Jets need more weapons for a quarterback, and Lemon, at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, with some incredible toughness and playmaking ability, would be a great addition to the WR room.
The Jets then pick 33rd overall, and Miller still isn’t going QB. Instead, he has the Jets taking a Quinnen Williams replacement in Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald.
“McDonald projects as a starter-level nose tackle or 1-technique with the power to keep the linebackers behind him clean and run lanes stuffed,” Miller writes.
McDonald is a nice addition for the Jets, and combined with Reese, the Jets would be adding two Ohio State defenders inside the top 33 picks, both of which would be huge upgrades for the defense, which struggled big-time in 2025.
More: Jets predicted to draft ‘high-ceiling’ QB prospect in first round by Mel Kiper Jr.
And then, with the Jets 44rd pick in the second round, Miller finally goes quarterback with Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
“Simpson doesn’t have a Round 1 grade on my board, and I couldn’t find a single team that would give him one during conversations at the Senior Bowl,” Miller writes.
Instead of the Jets panicking and getting overly aggressive, taking Simpson (or another QB) in the first round, they take Simpson in the middle of the second round in this mock draft from Miller.
While Simpson might not be fully ready to be an NFL starter, this draft pick is much more excusable to take a low-floor, high-ceiling QB prospect at.
Overall, Miller has the Jets taking with picks 2, 16, 33, and 44: ED Arvell Reese, WR Makai Lemon, DT Kayden McDonald, and QB Ty Simpson.
Coming out of the draft with a top pass rusher, a top wide receiver, a great interior defensive lineman, and a flier at the QB position would be a nearly perfect way to go about the first two rounds for the Jets.
