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ESPN's NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has released his latest mock as the 2026 NFL scouting combine goes on this week.
The New York Jets enter the 2026 draft with two first-round picks at No. 2 and No. 16 overall. Despite holding those, both picks are very much up in the air in terms of who could be selected.
Via Kiper's projection, two defenders are heading to New York in Round 1.
While the focus is on the Jets' quarterback room after a poor 2025 season for Justin Fields under center, the defense needs just as much improvement... esepically
Round 1, pick No. 2: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This would be the highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Turner went No. 2 in 1991. Downs is worthy, though. He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense's ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets' defense didn't have a single INT in 2025 -- yes, you read that right -- and only the Cowboys gave up more points (29.6 per game). Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency.
Round 1, pick 16: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Jets are back on the clock, and after I handed them a difference-making safety in Caleb Downs earlier, I'll go with a Quinnen Williams replacement this time around. Three Jets defensive tackles are hitting free agency, and they've lacked a real impact player in the middle of the D-line since trading Williams at the deadline. Woods didn't have elite production in 2025, but the tape was still really good. He has the power to be a force at 3-technique for New York.
I had the Jets taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson here in January. I could still see it. But the Jets have three first-round picks in 2027, when the QB class should be much better. It makes more sense to find a bridge in 2026 and focus on rebuilding the defense before going with someone like Arch Manning or Dante Moore next spring.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets picks in ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. 2026 NFL mock draft during combine