After their moves at the trade deadline, the New York Jets have revamped the look of their potential 2026 NFL draft class. With more picks comes more opportunity, which means there’s more players to look at. It’s impossible to predict exactly what the NY Jets will do with their 2026 NFL draft picks. However, we can start looking at potential prospects who may find themselves on the Jets radar. And with that in mind, we’re going to look at Day 2 options for the team in the upcoming draft.
Currently,
the Jets do not have a third-round selection in the upcoming draft. However, players given that current draft-grade may find themselves on this list due to the sheer uncertainty of how events may unfold.
Note: The prospect list used is the consensus big board from NFL Mock Draft Database. This article was written prior to Week 12 of college football.
It’s worth mentioning that currently, consensus indicates the Jets will select quarterback Ty Simpson and DL Caleb Banks with their first two picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
NY Jets: 2026 NFL Draft – Day 2 Targets
Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker – Texas
Unlike previous classes, there are a number of top-end linebackers in the 2026 class. One of those is Anthony Hill Jr., out of Texas.
The Longhorn linebacker has absurd instinct, play recognition, tackle power. Hill often plays with his block assignments until the ball-carrier nears his direction, where he casually throws off his block and makes the tackle. The Texas product is a great downhill tackler, and maintains his responsibility often in his assignments.
Anthony Hill Jr. was a GAME WRECKER, posting 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 9 total pressures against Mississippi State
Potential 1st round pick at LB 👀 pic.twitter.com/w5vsZJvdkr— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 28, 2025
Hill’s lateral movement is almost unbelievable at times – a true physical freak at the position. And, the stats back it up.
Hill’s 5-percent missed tackle rate is tied for 18th-best among qualifying linebackers (398) in college football. And yet while his tackle numbers are down on the year (42), Hill is tied for 19th in total pressures with 18, indicating his versatility as a weakside linebacker.
How They Fit the Jets
Like the Jets, the Longhorns currently run a base 4-2-5 defense, meaning having elite linebacker play is vital to the unit’s success. Not only does Hill have good sideline-to-sideline pursuit, but his tackle angles are important and stop ball-carriers in their tracks.
With Quincy Williams effectively gone after this season, and Kiko Mauigoa more suitable as a depth player, Hill could step in as a rookie and see legitimate snaps on the defensive unit.
There’s been talk of Hill potentially sliding into the first round. Yet for now, he will remain as a potential target for the Jets in the early second round.
Chris Johnson, Cornerback – San Diego State
Chris Johnson has quietly become one of the best cornerbacks in college football. The 6-foot, 195-pound prospect from San Diego State is currently the highest-graded corner in college football (91.9). He’s given up zero touchdowns entering Week 12, while securing three interceptions of his own. He’s allowing just a 17.9 passer rating when targeted, second-lowest among qualifying cornerbacks (min. 200 snaps). Yet perhaps more impressive than his coverage ability is his physicality.
Johnson doesn’t just provide excellent coverage. The cornerback isn’t afraid to bring out the hit stick, and does so efficiently. Whether it’s on special teams or defense itself, the Aztec cornerback shows a willingness to tackle with great pursuit angles. He’s missed just one tackle this season, and his 2.4-percent missed tackle rate is the 15th-lowest amongst all cornerbacks.
Chris Johnson ( San Diego State )
— DreherScouting (@DreherScouting) October 29, 2025
Chris Johnson is playing elite ball for SDSU. PFF’s top CB in CFB right now (91.0 DEF, 91.3 COV). He’s allowing 41.9% completions with 3 INTs and 0 TDs when targeted. Sticky, patient, and finishing plays at the catch point. pic.twitter.com/NISawtFKoY
Playing in the Group of 5, some players can fly under the radar for their position. In this instance, it’s Johnson. Currently he’s projected to be selected in the middle of the second round. Yet, if he continues to produce, his stock will only rise.
How They Fit the Jets
After trading away Sauce Gardner, Johnson is a perfect fit to come in and replace him. In fact, he may quite literally be the anti-Gardner. At least, from a physicality standpoint.
It’s clear that head coach Aaron Glenn wants physicality to be present in his defense. Michael Johnson not only fits that mold, but holds the coverage prowess to be a lockdown cornerback at the NFL level.
Johnson’s 27-percent forced incompletion rate is tied for 11th-best among cornerbacks. And, he has three interceptions on thus far. At 6-foot, his size isn’t a liability on the outside in most cases, and his coverage more than makes up for any physical disadvantages.
If Johnson isn’t a Glenn type of player, I’m not sure who is.
Elijah Surratt, Wide Receiver – Indiana
If the NY Jets acquire Fernando Mendoza instead of Ty Simpson, Elijah Surratt is a no-brainer addition to New York. Yet, even if the team opts for a different quarterback choice, Surratt can still play a vital role for the program.
Surratt came to Curt Cignetti’s James Madison team in 2023 and broke out for 1199 yards and eight touchdowns with the Dukes. He followed Cignetti to Indiana, and has continued to have success.
This season, Surratt has put up 10 touchdowns on 62 targets, hauling in 45 for 609 yards. While those aren’t eye-popping stats, it’s worth noting that Indiana benches most of their starters in the fourth quarter (and sometimes earlier) of games because they become such one-sided affairs.
With that in mind, Surratt’s size (6-foot-2, 213 pounds) and play at the position are worth mentioning.
The Indiana wide receiver doesn’t have all-world speed. And quite frankly, he doesn’t need it. Surratt shows tremendous football IQ, wins his routes easily at short and intermediate levels, and is a chain-mover in crucial situations.
Elijah Sarratt 8 REC, 121 YDS, 1 TD vs Oregon Ducks Today. https://t.co/UOATc2cbLE pic.twitter.com/h4zZ8HdbLK
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 12, 2025
Whether the team is going with a veteran or a rookie at quarterback, having a cerebral and physical receiver like Surratt can only boost an offense.
How They Fit the Jets
There’s no denying that the NY Jets desperately need another talented receiver outside of Garrett Wilson. And, the addition of Elijah Surratt would drastically help Wilson turn into a big-play machine for the New York offense.
Surratt’s prowess as a short-and-intermediate weapon will force defenses to pay attention to him (and Mason Taylor) while allowing big-play potential for his teammates. Not only that, but Surratt’s surehandedness will be vital for a young Jets team that will be looking to move the chains consistently. The Indiana receiver solves that problem, and more.
Zion Young, Edge Rusher – Missouri
This class has a number of standout edge rushers, but in the second round, Zion Young out of Missouri is a very intriguing prospect worth watching.
Currently, Young is one of just 16 players to have a 79.0 (or greater) grade as a defender, against the run, and as a pass-rusher. He’s truly a jack of all trades, and can turn into a true three-down player along the edge.
Young’s 30 pressures are tied for 36th-best amongst 413 qualifying players, while his 20 run-stops rank 43rd amongst his peers. The Missouri product displays a unique ability between utilizing size, speed, and power to his advantage against offensive lineman. And, he showcases a sufficient blend of pass-rushing moves to win his matchups.
Missouri DE Zion Young has been a big stock-up guy for me this season 📈
— The Draft Room (@TheDraftRoomNFL) October 22, 2025
In the last two weeks, facing Alabama and Auburn, he’s got 3 sacks, a forced fumble and a batted pass
🎥: Here’s 2 minutes of impressive reps of his over that span 👇 pic.twitter.com/zvPXcqK7kO
Yet perhaps more importantly, for me, is that Young shows up when the game matters most. Being good is great, but the clutch-gene is impossible to teach.
How They Fit the Jets
At this point in his career, Will McDonald is primarily a pass-rushing edge and nothing more. Adding another versatile player that can both stop the run and pressure the quarterback will be vital. There’s also opportunity, given Zion Young’s size, that he could continue bulking up and play some interior snaps in the Jets’ base 4-2-5 defense.
Young may not be the household name that most are familiar with. However, he is a clutch player, a vibrant personality, and a high-effort player. If that energy can be captured into changing the culture of the locker room, Young could become a cornerstone in Aaron Glenn’s defense.
