Wild Draft Scenario Could Help Jets Land Potential Steal of Round 1

With two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Jets are one of the more intriguing teams to keep an eye on.

New York has plenty of holes to fill with its roster, so the team trading down to acquire more picks isn't completely out of the question.

But ESPN's Peter Schrager believes if they stay put, there's a chance the draft could shake out to where the Jets land arguably the steal of the first round.

Schrager predicted two big Round 1 trades - the Kansas City Chiefs sending the No. 9 and 29 overall picks to the Dallas Cowboys for picks No. 12 and 20 overall, and the Detroit Lions trading the No. 17 and 118 overall picks plus a 2027 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 13 overall pick.

Those deals would throw off the predicted flow of the first round, leaving the Jets to grab USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 16th overall pick.

"If the Rams don’t take Lemon at No. 13 (remember, I have L.A. trading back to No. 17), he could definitely still be here when the Jets are on the clock," Schrager wrote. "He’s a tough, smart receiver with a relentlessness to the way he plays.

"If things fall this way, that means the two New York teams each walk away from the top half of Round 1 with an elite pass rusher and a star receiver. Bailey-Lemon would be compared to Reese-Tyson in East Rutherford for years."

Lemon is one of the top WRs in the draft class, and landing him at 16 when he's projected to go in the top 12 would be a coup for New York.

A unanimous All-American and Fred Biletnikoff award winner, given annually to the top receiver in college football, Lemon had a breakout season for USC last season. He totaled 79 catches, 1,156 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

Adding Lemon would be a major boost to a Jets WR room that was one of, if not the worst in the NFL last season. No pass-catcher had more than 395 yards or 44 receptions.

Coupled with a healthy Garrett Wilson would give the Jets a strong 1-2 punch at wide receiver and give whoever plays quarterback for the team in 2027 a chance to be successful right out of the gate.

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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 11:46 PM.