The New York Jets are selecting at picks No. 2, 16, 33, and 44 in the 2026 NFL Draft through the first two days of the draft.
Those are some very valuable picks, but they might need to get a bit more aggressive to bolster their roster this offseason, especially with their 33rd overall pick.
As ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed in a trade idea, the Jets could swing a very aggressive trade-up with the New England Patriots to address a key position of need to help Aaron Glenn's defense before the Seattle Seahawks pounce on that player.
Jets trade idea moves up with Patriots for another first-round pick in 2026
Barnwell's idea would have the Jets landing the 31st, 63rd, and 131st overall selections in exchange for the 33rd and 44th overall picks. They would gain a pick, but it would be an overpay to get back into the first round. But there would be a reason for this move.
"The Jets would accomplish two things with this trade up. One would be getting ahead of the Seahawks for a cornerback, a position of need for Aaron Glenn," Barnwell writes. "... The other would be getting ahead of teams that might trade into pick No. 32 to leapfrog the Jets at No. 33, which would impact the many needs the Jets have across their roster."
This move-up for the Jets would be an aggressive one, as Barnwell deemed this package to the Patriots as a "lopsided" trade in the Patriots' favor.
While the Jets would add a pick to their total selections, the move up from 33 to 31 would not be worth the huge move-down from 44 to 63 and the 131st overall pick.
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But, with the Seahawks likely considering a cornerback, someone like Brandon Cisse, Colton Hood, or Avieon Terrell could be their pick at No. 32 overall. If the Jets want to guarantee they get one of those corners, a trade-up might be their only option.
The other reason is that a team could end up trading in front of the Jets with the 33rd pick for a player. If, say, Ty Simpson was still available, the Jets might have to stave off a different team from trading up in front of them to take the Alabama quarterback.
It's an aggressive proposal from Barnwell, but it does make some sense as the Jets could get their preferred player, with a very valuable fifth-year option, along with getting an extra pick at the end of the day.
They'd lose a lot of value with their second second-round pick, but if it meant getting their ideal player at the end of Round 1, then this aggressive, "lopsided" trade would be worth it for the Jets.
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