Jets Pick Caleb Downs, DT in Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 Ahead of Scouting Combine

ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. dropped his second mock draft ahead of this week's scouting combine in Indianapolis, and he threw a couple of curveballs at the New York Jets.

This time around, Kiper predicted that the Jets would use the No. 2 overall pick to select Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs. New York also owns the No. 16 pick that originally belonged to the Indianapolis Colts, and Kiper pegged Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods to be selected at that slot.

The Jets are known to have glaring needs on both sides of the ball, so it would be a surprise if they use both their first-round picks on defense. Also, picking Downs over an edge rusher like Texas Tech's David Bailey or Ohio State's Arvell Reese would surely raise some eyebrows, but Kiper feels that New York needs a do-it-all player on the back-end.

"This would be the highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Turner went No. 2 in 1991. Downs is worthy, though," Kiper stated. "He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense's ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets' defense didn't have a single INT in 2025 -- yes, you read that right -- and only the Cowboys gave up more points (29.6 per game). Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency."

Kiper projected that Woods would be a fit for the Jets at No. 16 due to the need for a replacement for star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. He went on to explain why he doesn't expect New York to fill its need for a franchise quarterback with the selection.

"I had the Jets taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson here in January. I could still see it. But the Jets have three first-round picks in 2027, when the QB class should be much better," Kiper stated. "It makes more sense to find a bridge in 2026 and focus on rebuilding the defense before going with someone like Arch Manning or Dante Moore next spring."