With Super Bowl LX in the past, it’s almost time for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
A total of 319 prospects have been invited to attend this year’s event, which will once again take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 through March 2.
There are also several other dates Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are aware of during the next month. On Tuesday, teams can begin placing the franchise tag on players through the March 3 deadline. The start of free agency and the new league year will also begin on March 11.
With all that in mind, it’s time to look towards the pre-draft process and free agency with some of your questions in the latest Jets mailbag.
Apart from the obvious — must get a serviceable QB + win some games — what are the next two things that AG must do/improve upon this year to be here in 2027?- @JetsMets4Life
It is obvious, but we have to start with getting the quarterback situation figured out. Glenn and Mougey took a swing on Justin Fields after signing him to a two-year, $40 million contract last March. A year later, the Jets arguably have the worst quarterback situation in the league, with few inspiring solutions.
Glenn has to find someone who can stabilize the position, something Fields was unable to do. In addition, the Jets’ defense needs to return to its standard of excellence.
After finishing in the top five defensively from 2022-24, the Jets’ defense took a significant step back last season. They became the first team in NFL history to fail to record an interception during an entire 17-game season. The Jets also finished 3-14, ranking 31st in points allowed (29.6 per game) and 25th in total defense (355.6 yards per game).
Glenn hired Brian Duker as his new defensive coordinator, but the head coach will call plays during the 2026 season. Calling plays for the Lions as their defensive coordinator for four seasons (2021-24) helped Glenn get the Jets coaching job in the first place. That’s why that unit needs to show marked improvement next year, in addition to finding a veteran and rookie quarterback.
Carr, Willis, Cousins, and others have been discussed as QB1 for #JetUp. Who do you think will be QB2? -@jetscap
If I were the Jets, I would mirror what the Giants did last year at quarterback. They drafted Jaxson Dart and sandwiched him between two veterans, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
With that in mind, the Jets need to find a quarterback, not named Brady Cook, whom they can develop for the long term. After not selecting a quarterback last year, the Jets signed Cook as an undrafted free agent. But they were outscored 188–54 over their final five games of the season, with Cook mostly starting.
Potential quarterback draft options for the Jets could include Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Miami’s Carson Beck, Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, or Penn State’s Drew Allar. If I had to guess, the Jets would draft a quarterback on Day 2 at either No. 33 or 44 overall. Since you are putting me on the spot now, I would say the Jets would draft Beck somewhere in the third round, if they can find a way to accumulate one.
Despite turnovers and mobility concerns, Beck has elite arm talent and experience, which should make him an option for the Jets on Day 2 or 3. If you can surround Beck with Kirk Cousins and Bailey Zappe, who signed a future contract with the Jets in January, I would be great with that.
Is it too far-fetched to think the Jets can go Caleb Downs at No.2?- @IamJuneSmith
Absolutely not. The Jets clearly need help at almost every position and they actually could use safety help alongside Malachi Moore, who displayed flashes at times as a rookie.
Downs is the best prospect available in this draft class. He has the versatility to be successful wherever the defense places him. Downs can be a factor in both run support and in pass coverage.
What separates Downs from other players in the 2026 NFL Draft is his instincts. Not only is he a willing open-field tackler, but he also shows high football intelligence in knowing how offenses want to attack, and he plays faster than his speed would suggest.
At No. 2 overall, the Jets are in a great position because they can draft the best available player with several needs on both sides. Drafting Downs would be a home run. But if a team wants to move up to second, I wouldn’t be opposed to trading the pick either.
What areas do you think they will specifically look to fill through the draft where they can develop players as opposed to free agency?- @franS3837
As previously noted, the Jets need a lot of help at just about every position. In addition to drafting a young signal caller, the Jets could also look at running back and wide receiver in the draft.
Breece Hall is scheduled to test the free-agent market. However, the Jets may be reluctant to place the franchise tag on him, which would cost them around $14.5 million for next season. Because of that, running backs like Washington’s Jonah Coleman and Indiana’s Kaelon Black could be draft targets.
The Jets need to add two wide receivers this offseason — one in free agency and one through the draft. Luckily for them, this year’s wide receiver group is superb.
At 16th overall would be an excellent spot to select a player like USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. I fully expect Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson to be gone by the time the Jets pick again, but Lemon is equally as exciting a prospect.
Despite being listed at 5-11, 195 pounds, Lemon plays bigger than his size. He also knows how to attack the ball at its highest point and is excellent in yards after catch.
Lemon would already be the second-best receiver, next to Garrett Wilson, and a great complement to the rest of the unit.
