The Jets lost to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 action by the embarrassing score of 35-8.
In the defeat, the Jets did gain something. The team clinched the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team entered Week 18 in the third slot, trailing the Giants in the strength of schedule tiebreaker. However, the Giants’ win over the Cowboys combined with this loss to Buffalo bumped the Jets up to the second pick.
This leaves the Jets in position to potentially get one of the top quarterbacks without
needing to trade up. The Raiders own the number one overall pick and are also likely to pick a quarterback, perhaps Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The Jets also will have their choice of non-quarterbacks or potentially the option to trade down and stockpile even more picks.
Additionally, the Jets clinched the top pick in the second round. The Jets and Raiders tied at 3-14. Las Vegas earned the top pick through the strength of schedule tiebreaker, but the tiebreaker is only for the first round. The teams will swap the top pick in each round. This gives the Jets the first pick in even numbered rounds, including the coveted first pick of round two. It will be a prime spot for the team to pick either the top player who falls out of night one or trade down. They will be able to hear offers all day from teams wishing to move up.
The Jets additionally own a second pick in the first round. The result of the Sunday night game between the Steelers and Browns will determine where it falls. It will be 15th if the Ravens win and 16th if the Steelers win.
