Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) scrambles for a first down on fourth down against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The New York Jets ensured the 2025 NFL trade deadline would not be a sleepy affair.

New York shipped out two of its best defenders, cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, in deals to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. The two trades netted the Jets a massive haul in return: three first-round picks (one in the 2026 NFL Draft, two in 2027), a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

These moves signal a rebuild for the franchise starting sooner rather than later. At 1-7 entering Week 10, that's not a massive surprise but the deals lay the groundwork for a major roster overhaul.

These deals will only look good in hindsight if the players picked using those extra draft picks turn into contributors. Otherwise, fans will be right to question why the franchise jettisoned two defensive players under 30 years old with multi-year extensions already on the books.

At time of publishing, New York will have four selections over the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. With less than six months until the draft, this class is shaping up to have good options at multiple positions of need, including quarterback.

Here's our prediction for how the Jets could use their extra draft capital in the first two rounds:

2026 New York Jets mock draft, Rounds 1-2

Round 1, No. 3 overall: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Simpson is rising up draft boards in 2025 thanks to his stellar play in Tuscaloosa. He waited behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, meaning this is his first season as a starter. That lack of experience will be his biggest knock come draft day.

But what he's done so far in 2025 is impressive. He has NFL size, good mobility and a league-caliber arm with excellent anticipation, layering and accuracy. He can deliver on target with accuracy, even with pressure bearing down on him.

He lacks experience but it's important to know his father, Jason, played quarterback in college and has been head coach at UT-Martin for the last two decades. He's grown up around the game.

Round 1, No. 32 overall (from Indianapolis): Edge Matayo Uiagalalei, Oregon

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn's defenses in Detroit excelled with long, physical edge rushers. Similarly, general manager Darren Mougey comes from Denver, where the Broncos built a historically productive pass rush. Getting to the quarterback in a division with Josh Allen and a conference with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow is essential.

Uiagalalei fits the mold of what Glenn worked with in Detroit. At 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, he can set the edge in run defense and use his mix of strength and athleticism to get after the quarterback. In 2024, Uiagalalei led the Ducks in sacks with 10.5 on a defensive line that featured three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including first-rounder Derrick Harmon.

Uiagalalei could be used all over the line for Glenn and the Jets. There are shades of Greg Rosseau in his game that would be a building block for the defensive line.

Round 2, No. 35 overall: OL Gennings Dunker, Iowa

New York selecting tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou in consecutive drafts bodes well for Simpson long-term. Both Glenn and Mougey come from franchises that put a premium on offensive line talent, either via the draft or free agency. Dunker could be the next piece for the front on offense.

The Iowa tackle's short arms and lack of elite athleticism mean he'll likely move inside to guard at the NFL level. He'll be far from a slouch on the interior, though. Dunker's tenacity and power will make him fit in the NFL as a run blocker and that'll be a good combination alongside Membou or Fashanu.

Round 2, No. 46 overall (from Dallas): WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

The Cincinnati Bengals famously paired college teammates Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase together in the NFL and they've created fireworks for years. Bernard and Simpson won't be on that level but bringing in a familiar face for the first-round quarterback can't hurt.

Bernard isn't a burner but he's an impressive route runner who's slippery in the intermediate areas of the field. His intuition in finding the soft spots in zone coverage will ensure he sticks in the NFL despite his lack of elite athleticism. Despite standing 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, he's a force in contested catch situations thanks to his body control and ball tracking.

Depending on what the team does in free agency, Bernard's versatility could be a big part of his fit. He spent nearly equal time lined up in the slot and out wide in 2024, per Pro Football Focus (PFF) data, before spending most of his snaps in 2025 out wide (61.4%).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York Jets mock draft: New York gets pass rush, wide receiver help with extra picks

Reporting by Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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