Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets

The New York Jets’ 2025 season took a costly turn in Week 17, when a late-game fumble by running back Breece Hall flipped the outcome of a critical matchup against the New England Patriots—and with it, the team’s position in the 2026 NFL Draft order. What was poised to be a win that would lock in a top-10 draft pick instead became a loss that dropped the Jets two spots, pushing them from No. 8 to No. 10 overall. Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets breaks down the fumble’s game-changing impact, the NFL’s draft order rules that amplified the shift, and what the lower pick means for the Jets’ offseason roster plans. For a team still rebuilding around quarterback Zach Wilson, the dropped draft spots aren’t just a numerical setback—they’re a missed opportunity to land a high-impact player who could accelerate their path to contention.

Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets begins with the fumble itself, a pivotal moment in the fourth quarter of the Jets-Patriots game. With 2:17 left and the Jets leading 20-17, Hall took a handoff from Wilson at the Patriots’ 35-yard line, looking to pick up a first down and run out the clock. As he cut left to avoid a tackle, Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon stripped the ball, and safety Kyle Dugger recovered it at the 30-yard line. The Patriots capitalized on the turnover, driving 70 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds remaining. The loss dropped the Jets’ final record to 7-10, while the Patriots improved to 8-9—altering the draft order math. Jets head coach Robert Saleh summed up the frustration after the game: “That fumble wasn’t just a play that lost us the game—it cost us a chance to get a difference-maker in the draft. You can’t put a price on top-10 picks, and we let that slip away.”

A key factor in Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets is the NFL’s draft order system, which prioritizes teams with worse regular-season records. Before Week 17, the Jets were tied with the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals at 7-9, with tiebreakers (strength of schedule) giving the Jets the No. 8 pick. The Jets’ loss to the Patriots, combined with the Bears’ win over the Detroit Lions and the Cardinals’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks, reshuffled the order: the Bears moved up to No. 8, the Cardinals stayed at No. 9, and the Jets fell to No. 10. NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. explained why the two-spot drop matters: “At No. 8, the Jets could’ve targeted a top-tier offensive tackle or cornerback—positions they desperately need. At No. 10, those elite players might already be off the board, forcing them to either reach for a prospect or shift their focus to a different position.” The Jets’ scouting department had already identified three top-8 prospects (tackle Joe Alt, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., and defensive end Jalen Carter) as primary targets, all of whom are now unlikely to be available at No. 10.

Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets also highlights the impact on the Jets’ offseason roster strategy, which had centered on using the top-10 pick to address a glaring need on the offensive line. The Jets allowed 52 sacks in 2025 (the third-most in the NFL), and Wilson’s inconsistent play was partially attributed to constant pressure. With the No. 8 pick, the Jets were in position to select Alt, widely regarded as the best offensive tackle in the draft class and a potential day-one starter. At No. 10, Alt will likely be gone—snapped up by teams like the Bears (No. 8) or Atlanta Falcons (No. 9), both of whom also need offensive line help. For the New York Jets, this means re-evaluating their draft board: they may now target a second-tier tackle (like Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton) or shift to a different position, such as wide receiver or defensive line. General manager Joe Douglas acknowledged the shift, saying: “We have to be flexible. The draft order changed, but our needs haven’t—we still need to add talent that can help us win now. We’ll adjust our board and make sure we get the best player available at No. 10.”

Another layer of frustration in Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets is the context of Hall’s fumble—his third lost fumble of the season, a problem that had plagued the Jets all year. The team ranked 28th in the NFL in turnover differential (-11) in 2025, with lost fumbles accounting for 14 of their 25 total turnovers. Hall’s fumble wasn’t an isolated incident; it was part of a larger issue with ball security that the Jets had failed to fix despite midseason drills and meetings. For the New York Jets, the fumble and subsequent draft drop have become a rallying cry for offseason improvements. Saleh has already announced that the team will add “ball security drills to every practice” in 2026 and hire a specialist to work with running backs and wide receivers on protecting the football. “This can’t happen again,” Saleh said. “Turnovers cost us games, and now they’ve cost us draft position. We’re taking this seriously—no more excuses.” The Jets’ players have also echoed the sentiment, with Wilson saying: “We let each other down. That fumble wasn’t just Breece’s fault—it’s on all of us for not practicing harder, for not focusing more. We have to be better.”

Looking ahead, Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets outlines how the Jets plan to mitigate the impact of the lower draft pick. Douglas has indicated that the team is open to trading up in the draft, using their excess draft capital (they have two second-round picks and three third-round picks) to move back into the top 8. However, trading up would require giving up valuable assets, which could limit their ability to address other needs (like wide receiver and safety). Alternatively, the Jets could stay at No. 10 and target a “value pick”—a prospect who may have fallen due to injury concerns or character questions but still has elite potential. For the New York Jets, the key will be balancing short-term needs with long-term value. “We’ve been in this position before,” Douglas said. “We’ve found talent outside the top 10—look at [defensive end] Quinnen Williams, who we took at No. 3, but also [cornerback] Sauce Gardner at No. 4. We’ll do our homework, and we’ll find a player who can help this team win.” The Jets’ scouting department has already begun re-evaluating prospects like Guyton and wide receiver Rome Odunze, who could still be available at No. 10 and fill critical roles.

Dropped Spots in 2026 Draft Order After Fumble for the New York Jets is ultimately a story of how one moment of carelessness can have long-reaching consequences for a rebuilding team. The Jets’ loss to the Patriots wasn’t just a blip on the schedule—it was a setback that could delay their return to contention, as they now face a harder path to landing a top-tier prospect. Yet the setback has also sparked a renewed focus on accountability: fixing ball security, improving in-game decision-making, and ensuring that no single play derails their offseason plans again. For the Jets, the dropped draft spots are a reminder of the fine line between progress and stagnation in the NFL. As they head into the 2026 offseason, they carry with them both the frustration of what could have been and the determination to make the most of the hand they’ve been dealt—proving that even a setback can be turned into an opportunity to grow stronger.