What are the top positions of need for Jets entering offseason?
The 2025 season did not go the way many Jets fans expected.
However, there is 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 the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. That includes two first-round picks next year, including their own.
This could help them go from contender to contender if they can make the right draft picks. Of course, that’s easier said than done after the Jets missed the playoffs for 15 seasons and counting.
In addition to the quarterback position, the Jets have several needs to fill. Here are some of the positions of need heading into the offseason that could potentially be targets in next year’s draft.
WIDE RECEIVER
It’s no secret that the Jets are in need of receivers outside of Garrett Wilson. Other receivers on the list 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 that can help improve an offense that sits at the bottom of the league in several statistical categories. Next year’s draft is expected to include several receivers that would be upgrades.
KC Concepcion of Texas A&M would be a perfect slot receiver for Wilson and the Jets offense. The 5-foot-11, 190-inch junior brings plenty 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 cutting Gardner, the Jets could use another cornerback and safety (Andre Cisco will miss the final nine games after tearing his pectoral in the Week 8 win over the Bengals).
If the Jets go the cornerback route in the first round, Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood is someone who makes sense. He excels in both man and zone coverage and is a proud tackler, an area the Jets could use given 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 AJ Harris.
In terms of help at safety, Arizona’s Genesis Smith is an underrated prospect the Jets could target on the second day of the draft. At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Smith has the prototypical size teams look for at safety, but with the speed and skill to anticipate receivers’ routes in the middle and deep of the field.
OFFENSIVE LINE
John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker will both be free agents after 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 move to center and either re-sign Simpson or sign a left guard in free agency.
Oregon’s Alex Harkey, who transferred from Texas State in the offseason, would be a great choice. He is an exceptional run blocker who projects as a guard at the next level. But Harkey also has the flexibility to play right tackle.
DEFENSIVE LINE
After trading Williams, the Jets could use some help on the interior. Clemson’s Peter Woods is the top defensive lineman expected to be available next April. But if the Jets want to wait to fill holes on the defensive line, Florida’s Caleb Banks and Oregon’s Bear Alexander are solid players who could make immediate contributions.
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 line up in multiple positions along the defensive line.
STRATEGIST
Obviously, we can’t forget 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 terrible seasons with the team.
The projected quarterbacks who will be available in 2026 have drawn mixed opinions among analysts. However, Fernando Mendoza appears to be the best option for Tanner Engstrand’s offense. Although he doesn’t have the strongest arm in the world, Mendoza is incredibly intelligent and can make every throw in the NFL.
What might be better than his ability to make every throw is Mendoza’s ball placement, which is arguably the best of all that will be available next April. He often places passes where only his receivers can reach them. He’s a pocket passer, but Mendoza has enough scrambling ability to move the chains and force defenses to guard him regularly.
