The New York Jets hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and senior football adviser Rick Spielman has outlined the franchise's approach, with Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith among the top prospects being monitored for 2027.
2026 NFL Draft Strategy
The 2026 NFL Draft gets under way on Thursday, but the real action kicks off at the No. 2 overall pick. The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to use the No. 1 overall pick to address their quarterback needs by selecting Fernando Mendoza. Once that card is submitted, all eyes will turn to the New York Jets, who sit second overall and — barring a surprise from Las Vegas — will have their choice of the remaining talent outside the quarterback position.
While the Jets have numerous gaps to plug through the 2026 draft, Spielman and his team have one eye firmly fixed on the future. Come 2027, the Jets will hold three first-round picks — their own, plus additional first-rounders acquired from the Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys through the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades respectively.
Future Prospects: Manning and Smith
The 2027 draft class is anticipated to be exceptionally strong, particularly at quarterback. Looking ahead, the Jets are considered amongst the frontrunners to select Arch Manning, with considerable buzz surrounding the Texas quarterback, while electrifying Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith is also very much in the franchise's sights.
Could the Jets genuinely land both Manning and Smith in the same draft? According to Jets senior football adviser Rick Spielman, it's very much a possibility.
"We have two first-round picks this year and three next year," Spielman exclusively told The Mirror U.S. "There was an opportunity, as we were going through the process, to have three first-round picks this year compared to next year, but anticipating what that quarterback class may be next year, it was more advantageous to load up in 2027."
Spielman added: "It's a very, very strong quarterback class, but there are others too - the receiver from Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith, is coming out. He is one of the best prospects in a long time. Next year's class looks extremely strong. We'll see how things turn out, another year of development could change things. But with three first-round picks, you can really control the draft."
Defensive Prospects for 2026
For many, the Jets' decision this week centres on a duo of elite defensive talents in Ohio State's versatile Arvell Reese and Texas Tech's edge-rusher David Bailey. Sonny Styles is also in contention, but the Jets are desperately seeking a dominant pass-rusher.
Reese boasts exceptional athleticism but has considerably less experience as a pass-rusher than Bailey, who recorded 14.5 sacks last season, jointly topping the FBS rankings. If everything goes according to plan, Spielman is confident the Jets will have the chance to select one of the defensive standouts with the second overall pick.
"Unless Tottenham ends up winning the Premier League, Vegas is going to take [Fernando] Mendoza," Spielman said. "It's pretty much a given. If they don't take Mendoza, all bets are off."
"But the No. 2 pick, that's where the draft starts. There are a lot of really good defensive players, especially at the edge position. Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, and David Bailey are all very good football players who are high-character people who are going to come in and make an impact for an organization. These guys are blue-chip prospects that are going to have an impact, with the Jets or any other team."
The Jets presently possess two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft; the No. 2 overall pick belongs to the team itself, while the No. 16 overall selection comes from the Gardner trade to the Colts.
