Draft Rumors Swirl Around Future Picks for the New York Jets

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the New York Jets find themselves at the center of a flurry of draft rumors—all focused on their future picks and how they plan to use them to reshape the franchise. After a 7-10 season that fell short of playoff expectations, the Jets hold the 12th overall pick in the first round, along with six additional picks across the seven rounds (including a sixth-round pick acquired in the Michael Carter II trade with the Minnesota Vikings). But it’s not just their 2025 picks generating buzz: reports have emerged that the Jets are open to trading future draft capital (including 2026 picks) to move up in the 2025 draft, potentially targeting a franchise-altering player. For a team still chasing its first playoff appearance since 2010, these rumors carry significant weight—they could signal whether the Jets are ready to “win now” or continue building for the long term. Draft Rumors Swirl Around Future Picks for the New York Jets breaks down the key rumors, the positions the Jets are targeting, and how these moves could impact their trajectory.

Draft Rumors Swirl Around Future Picks for the New York Jets begins with the origin of the rumors and the Jets’ current draft capital. Most of the speculation stems from comments made by Jets general manager Joe Douglas at the NFL Combine in late February, where he acknowledged, “We’re always evaluating ways to maximize our draft picks—whether that’s staying put, moving up, or moving back.” Since then, multiple NFL insiders (including ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport) have reported that the Jets have held preliminary talks with teams picking in the top 5 about a potential trade up. The Jets’ current 2025 draft haul is solid but not exceptional: in addition to the 12th overall pick, they have picks in the second (44th), third (76th), fourth (112th), fifth (148th), sixth (185th, from Minnesota), and seventh (221st) rounds. To move up, the Jets would likely need to package their 12th overall pick with a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 first-round pick—a steep price, but one Douglas may be willing to pay for a player who can immediately impact the team. “The Jets have cap space and young talent, but they’re missing that one elite piece to push them over the edge,” said NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. “Trading up for a top-tier player makes sense if they believe that player can be a difference-maker.”

A key focus of the draft rumors is the positions the Jets are targeting with their future picks. The most persistent rumor centers on quarterback: the Jets have been linked to University of Michigan quarterback J.T. Daniels, a Heisman Trophy finalist who led the Wolverines to a national championship in 2024. Current Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has struggled to live up to expectations since being drafted second overall in 2021, and the team is reportedly exploring options to upgrade the position. Beyond quarterback, the Jets are also rumored to be targeting offensive line help (specifically left tackle, to protect whoever is under center) and edge rusher (to complement newly signed defensive end Danielle Hunter). Mock drafts from multiple outlets have the Jets selecting either Daniels (if they trade up) or University of Alabama left tackle Tyler Steel (if they stay at 12th overall). “Offensive line and quarterback are the two biggest needs for the Jets, and they can’t afford to miss on either,” said Kiper. “If they trade up for Daniels, they’ll need to use later picks to address the offensive line; if they stay put and take Steel, they’ll likely have to sign a veteran quarterback in free agency.” The rumors also suggest the Jets are interested in trading back in the draft to accumulate more picks, which would allow them to address multiple needs—though that scenario is less likely than trading up or staying put.

A critical aspect of Draft Rumors Swirl Around Future Picks for the New York Jets is the potential trade partners and what a deal might look like—and what it means for the current New York Jets team. The most likely trade partners for the Jets are the Arizona Cardinals (who hold the 3rd overall pick) and the Chicago Bears (4th overall), both of whom are rebuilding and could be willing to trade down for additional draft capital. A hypothetical trade with the Cardinals could see the Jets send their 12th overall pick, 44th overall pick (2025 second round), and 2026 first-round pick to Arizona in exchange for the 3rd overall pick—enough to land Daniels. For the New York Jets, such a trade would be a calculated risk: giving up future picks would limit their flexibility in 2026, but landing an elite quarterback could accelerate their rebuild. “Trading up for a quarterback is a high-risk, high-reward move,” said former NFL general manager Scott Pioli. “If Daniels becomes a Pro Bowl quarterback, the Jets will look like geniuses; if he flops, they’ll set themselves back years. But given Wilson’s inconsistency, it’s a risk they might have to take.” The Jets’ coaching staff has also weighed in indirectly: head coach Robert Saleh told reporters, “We need to put our team in the best position to win, and that includes making tough decisions about the draft. We’ll do what’s best for the franchise long-term.”

Another important angle of Draft Rumors Swirl Around Future Picks for the New York Jets is the reaction from fans and the media to the rumors. Jets fans are split on the idea of trading up for a quarterback: some believe Wilson deserves one more chance, while others argue the team needs a fresh start at the position. Social media has been abuzz with debate, with #JetsDraft and #TradeUpForDaniels trending on Twitter in New York. Local sports radio shows have featured callers arguing both sides, with one fan telling WFAN, “We’ve wasted too many years on bad quarterbacks—trade up for Daniels and give this team a real chance to win.” The media has also been critical of the Jets’ past draft decisions, with the New York Post noting that the team has “missed on key picks in recent years, so they can’t afford to botch this one.” For the New York Jets, fan and media reaction matters: the team has one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL, and a successful draft could help rebuild trust after years of disappointment. The Jets’ front office has remained tight-lipped about the rumors, but Douglas has emphasized that he’s “focused on doing what’s best for the team, not what’s popular.”

Wrapping up Draft Rumors Swirl Around Future Picks for the New York Jets is the long-term implications of the Jets’ draft decisions and what they mean for the franchise’s future. If the Jets trade up for a quarterback like Daniels and he succeeds, they could become contenders in the AFC East within the next two years—especially with young talent like Garrett Wilson, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, and Danielle Hunter already on the roster. If they stay put and address the offensive line, they’ll need Wilson to improve drastically or sign a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap. Trading back to accumulate more picks would allow them to address multiple needs but could leave them without an elite player to build around. “The 2025 draft is a crossroads for the Jets,” said Pioli. “They’ve got the pieces to be good, but they need to make the right decisions with their picks to turn potential into success.” For the New York Jets, the draft rumors aren’t just about speculation—they’re about the team’s identity. Will they be a franchise that plays it safe, or one that takes bold risks to win? As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on Douglas and the Jets’ front office to see how they use their future picks. Draft Rumors Swirl Around Future Picks for the New York Jets isn’t just a story about the draft—it’s a story about a franchise trying to escape years of mediocrity and finally give its fans something to cheer about.