The New York Jets are going to have a ton of NFL draft capital over the next couple of seasons. New York is totally rebuilding its football team from the ground up once the 2025 NFL season ends.
The Jets have a 2-9 record this season and they need to address drafting a quarterback. Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields are not the answer for this football team for the long haul. Is there a chance that New York will draft a player like quarterback Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers with their first-round pick or could they take someone else like Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.
The Athletic Has the New York Jets Selecting Safety Caleb Downs In Latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Nick Baumgardner of the Athletic has the Jets selecting third overall in his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft. He has New York selecting Downs from Ohio State with this selection. Baumgardner said,
“The Jets need everything. So, although Downs — a safety by trade who can play corner, slot or even sub linebacker — might scare people from a positional-value standpoint, he is still my favorite player, pound for pound, in the class. He’s a potential culture-changer.”
It would be a surprise to see the Jets draft Downs instead of a quarterback with this pick if a quarterback they like is available with this selection. Mendoza could be the top quarterback taken in this year’s draft.
This season with Ohio State, he has recorded 49 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. Downs is 6’0″ and weighs 205 lbs. He would no doubt be a good building block for the Jets, but Downs may not be the player they may want to select third overall. New York has many NFL draft decisions they will need to make this offseason also.
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