NEW YORK JETS

OFF SEASON CHANGES

A huge amount of change after a historically bad 3-14 season for the Jets. Geno Smith has been signed at QB and the Jets used the number 2 overall pick on Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. They also added two more first round picks in tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. The key was adding veteran talent around this new young core and they did that, bringing in linebacker Demario Davis, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, corner Nahshon Wright and edge rushers Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. Head coach Aaron Glenn is in his second year and will need the team to show improvement.

QUATERBACKS

It was a very ugly season at QB for the Jets, who started three different guys across the season. They put up just 140 passing yards per game, easily the lowest mark in the NFL. Geno Smith should improve those numbers but he’s not the future for this team. It’s a decent addition for the Jets who really just need a bridge QB before hopefully finding a player in the draft. They did select QB Cade Klubnik with pick 110 and actually traded up 18 spots to take him there. He wasn’t expected to go until the later rounds so the Jets clearly see some potential in him. He’ll almost definitely start as the backup to Smith to start the season but we could see him get reps later, likely once the Jets start tanking.

RUNNING BACKS

The Jets have committed to running back Breece Hall after signing him to a three-year contract extension worth up to $45.75 million, with $29 million guaranteed. There were a lot of trade rumours around Hall last season but he’s now locked in as a part of their future. Hall had a solid 2025 season in a very bad team, recording over 1400 total scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. The Jets can’t get much worse than they were last year, so I’m expecting Hall to put up some solid numbers in 2026 and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish with 1500+ scrimmage yards. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis return to the team as well. Neither were overly efficient last year but the Jets’ situation certainly didn’t help them either.

RECEIVERS

This receiver room is looking pretty exciting for 2026 after an injection of talent in the draft. The Jets took tight end Kenyon Sadiq with pick 16 and he’s a serious athlete, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the combine, the fastest mark by a tight end since 2003. He’s a 6-3, 241 beast who will get plenty of mismatches. They took him with the pick acquired from the Sauce Gardner trade with the Colts last year. The Jets still have 2025 second rounder Mason Taylor who also showed some promising signs last year, so there’s plenty of potential for them at the tight end position. With the 30th pick in the draft the Jets took wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr from Indiana, trading up three spots to get him. He’s another good athlete who is dangerous after the catch and he’ll get every opportunity to prove himself in a season where the Jets look to the future. Garrett Wilson is WR1 and I’m a big fan – he had 1000+ receiving yards in his first three NFL seasons (with bad QBs) before getting injured last year. He’ll benefit from a more competent QB in Geno Smith. Adonai Mitchell also has a lot of speed and big-play ability but has had issues with drops. He’s a former second-round pick and I still think he has plenty of potential.

DEFENCE

It was a historically bad season for the Jets’ defense in 2025, recording just four takeaways (fewest by any team since 1940) and zero interceptions. They ranked 25th in total defense and that was a clear focus to improve on this season. The arrivals of veterans Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick should help, plus pick 2 David Bailey who helps the pass-rush alongside Will McDonald IV. Head coach Aaron Glenn is a defensive minded coach and he’s under some pressure this year to make the scheme click. Surely we see a few more interceptions from the Jets this year…