Jets get positive update on position of need ahead of 2026 draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the New York Jets entered the 2025 NFL season, their wide receiver room was a nightmare.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey had superstar wideout Garrett Wilson, sure, but outside of the former Ohio State star were a bunch of journeymen veterans such as Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, and Tyler Johnson.
General manager Darren Mougey did a good job overhauling the room at the deadline, taking fliers on John Metchie and Adonai Mitchell as complementary pieces of larger trades. But if New York is dead set on having a rookie quarterback under center in 2026, they must improve the receiving core.
Jets get good news on 2026 wide receiver class
Lucky for them, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper believes 2026 is a great year to need a wide receiver. He claims the upcoming class is stocked with NFL-caliber talent.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Oh, yes. It's the strongest position of an otherwise not-great class. I think three guys could be top-10 picks -- Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Makai Lemon (USC). Injuries have complicated the WR1 race a bit, as both Tyson and Tate have missed time recently. But Lemon is the top slot receiver and one of my favorite prospects in the class," Kiper told ESPN.
"But even beyond the first round, there are some reliable, sure-handed pass catchers in the class. Ja'Kobi Lane (USC), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) and Bryce Lance (North Dakota State) all have the goods to make an NFL impact. And don't discount the kick-return ability of some of these guys -- that matters a lot now."
Despite not owning a pick in the third round, the Jets have two selections in both the first and second rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's almost a guarantee one of those selections will be used on a wide receiver, injecting some more talent and youth into an otherwise lacking position group.
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