The New York Jets are in the middle of a rebuild, and with some uncertainty at the quarterback position long-term, there is plenty of flexibility with their 2026 NFL Draft plans.
With plenty of ammo, a trade-up is very possible. But, with the No. 2 overall pick, and with Fernando Mendoza set to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, a trade-down is entirely on the table.
That's why ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed a trade-down idea for the Jets, which would have Aaron Glenn's Jets sending the No. 2 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 4 overall pick, along with two valuable picks, one in 2026 and the other in 2027.
Jets' trade-down idea would be a savvy move to beef up draft capital
"Jets get: 1-4, 3-66, 2027 fourth-round pick. Titans get: 1-2," Barnwell proposed. "... New York might be more agnostic about which of those defensive players it lands, and at No. 4, it could still ensure that it lands a difference-maker in the front seven."
While the Jets would have their choice of whoever they want with the No. 2 overall pick, with their most likely options being on the defensive side of the ball, they could still get one of the best options at the fourth pick.
If the Titans and Arizona Cardinals both go defense, there should be at least one intriguing defensive player available for the Jets with the fourth-overall pick.
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Sonny Styles, the off-ball linebacker from Ohio State, could be a realistic option after this trade-down. Arvell Reese, the Ohio State hybrid linebacker and pass rusher, is also an option who could make it to the Jets' pick at No. 4 overall in this scenario.
But the Jets could also go for Miami edge rusher Ruben Bain or Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey. Either would make sense at No. 2 overall, and could be had with the fourth pick.
While the Jets aren't landing a massive haul for moving out of the second-overall pick, they will pick up a very early third-rounder and a future fourth, while still being guaranteed to come away with one of the top defensive players in this year's class.
This trade idea from Barnwell would be a huge win for the Jets, and if they could pull this off, it would be a move seriously worth considering.
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