The New York Jets spent much of the early stages of NFL free agency filling out the depth chart with talented veterans, at positions of desperate need.
By trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick and signing Dane Belton, general manager Darren Mougey turned safety, arguably the weakest position on the roster, to one of the strengths of the defense. Edge rushers Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai are pass rushers with major upside, and Geno Smith at quarterback raises the floor for an offense that struggled mightily to move the football in 2025.
However, this is far from a finished product. The NFL Draft will play a vital role in what kind of team the Jets become in 2026, and beyond.
NFL Draft 2026: Rival Executive has advice for Darren Mougey, New York Jets
NFL Draft, New York Jets
Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn reacts during the first quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Ahead of next month’s draft, some folks inside the league believe that a strong draft class could propel the Jets towards some genuinely major improvement this fall.
“They’ve already got the offensive line, running backs room, and tight end group set,” an NFL Scouting Director told Between The Hashmarks. “On defense, you can get a top edge rusher or cornerback, or even a wide receiver to lift the offense, during the NFL Draft.”
New York owns two first-round picks, including the No. 2 overall selection, to target the top edge rusher available in this class and could round back at No. 16 overall to select the top receiver for Smith to target opposite Garrett Wilson or add a cornerback to pair opposite free-agent newcomer Nahshon Wright to further elevate Aaron Glenn’s defense.
Regardless, Mougey just might be setting the foundation for the Jets’ rebuild to show immediate promise this season.
“This should be a much-improved team,” the executive said.
New York Jets, Darren Mougey
Darren Mougey is shown during a press conference where he was introduced as the new general manager of the New York Jets, at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Monday, January 27, 2025, in Florham Park.