NY Jets opt for dark horse QB target, give Garrett Wilson a partner in crime, and plug defensive holes in 4-round NFL mock draft

With a ton of draft capital over the next two classes, the New York Jets are a franchise that are hoping to flip their fortunes as quickly as the roster. Head coach Aaron Glenn has gotten some buy-in from this team, but there is a massive need for an injection of talent on both sides of the football. That was the priority in the latest 4-round 2026 NFL mock draft. 

Trying to find the quarterback of the future was the priority going into the exercise, but that proved to be more difficult than originally anticipated. They were able to find a talented signal caller, however, on top of plugging several key holes in the roster. That included upgrading the secondary, adding another passing game weapon, and a massive presence in the middle of the defense. 

Jet 7-round mock draft 

Round 1, Pick 7: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

In this scenario, the Jets were unable to get into a spot to invest into a quarterback. Instead, they opted to take the player they deemed to be the best available. Downs isn’t the most dynamic safety from depth of all time, but he does everything at a good level. He excels playing underneath zone and as a tackler, bringing one of the highest floors in the entire 2026 class. 

Round 1, Pick 18: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

For whoever ends up being the quarterback long term for the team, adding as much talent around them is a sound investment. Lemon profiles as a tremendous route runner and overall separator, but he also plays a lot bigger at the catch point than you’d expect. Add in the fact that Lemon is electric after the catch and you have a tremendous complement to Garrett Wilson overall.