New York Jets mock draft 2025: Projecting every pick in Jets 7 round mock draft

The New York Jets are ushering in a new era with general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers gone, it also provides a clean slate for everyone in what should be a multi-year retool as Glenn creates a new team culture. The Detroit Lions’ model took years to build and New York should be just as patient. It all starts in the 2025 NFL Draft, with our Jets mock draft showing one way this team can rebuild its identity.

1st Round, 7th overall: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

As the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn had a pretty versatile secondary. Kerby Joseph played over 100 snaps in the slot, 600 playing deep and over 400 snaps in the box while Brian Branch played all over the field. Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron can provide Glenn with a versatile cornerback with Sauce Gardner drawing the top matchups. In fact, Barron has drawn an NFL comparison to Branch from NFL.com‘s Daniel Jeremiah. He allowed just a 34.2 QB rating with a 0-5 TD-INT ratio in coverage this past season, per PFF. Barron’s versatility and playmaking would pair perfectly playing on the same field as Gardner.

2nd Round, 42nd overall: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

We’re doubling up on defensive backs early in our Jets mock draft. South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori is massive (6-foot-3 and 227 pounds), which is ideal for a strong safety. Emmanwori’s aggressiveness and physicality make him an above-average run defender and he still has the instincts and athleticism to stick with tight ends in coverage. Glenn is the perfect defensive coordinator to maximize Emmanwori’s skillset and a Jets secondary with Gardner, Barron and Emmanwori could be the best in the NFL in a few years.

3rd Round, 92nd overall: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

We finally turn our attention to the New York Jets offense. This would also be phenomenal value for LSU Tigers tight end Mason Taylor in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-5, Taylor finished his Tigers’ career with program records in receiving yards (1,308) and receptions (129). He offers outstanding athleticism for his size and can quickly become a quarterback’s security option thanks to his route running and soft hands. He won’t offer much as a blocker, but he’s a nice complementary weapon who can find openings with defenses focused on Garrett Wilson.

4th Round, 108th overall: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

After leading off our Jets mock draft with a pair of defensive backs, we now use back-to-back picks on offensive weapons. Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel would be a steal in the fourth round. He excels at creating early separation on his routes, providing a quick target out of the slot. While he’ll probably never be anything more than the third-best pass-catcher in an offense, adding a reliable slot receiver makes this a better landing spot for the Jets’ quarterback of the future.

5th Round, 145th overall: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

There’s no sense in reaching for a quarterback, but we can certainly justify using a fifth-round pick on Quinn Ewers. A former five-star recruit, Ewers struggled playing through injury last season with the Texas Longhorns. NFL comparisons of him have ranged from Andy Dalton to Davis Mills, with even the Mills’ outcome being a justifiable pick in the fifth round. In a worst-case scenario, the Jets would have a dependable backup quarterback on a rookie quarterback. There would be a little more reason for optimism, though, because Ewers would be walking into a positive situation with a supporting cast that could elevate him.

5th Round, 157th overall: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

Davante Adams, Malik Taylor and Allen Lazard will all be off the New York Jets roster by training camp. After spending a fourth-round pick on a slot receiver, we now find a field stretcher for New York. Washington State wideout Kyle Williams excels at getting open downfield and he does a nice job tracking deep passes. He also offers plenty of athleticism to make plays with the football in his hands, so a creative play-caller can find more ways to get him involved. He adds depth to the Jets receiving corps and could play a specific role as a rookie.

6th Round, 185th overall: Junior Tafuna, DL, Utah

The Jets finished last season 17th in rushing yards allowed per game (121.1), so there’s at least some room for improvement on the defensive line. Utah’s defensive tackle Junior Tafuna, 6-foot-2 and 327 pounds, shows the ability to hold his own in the trenches and eat up interior rushing lanes. He also offers a motor that the Jets coaching staff will love and could develop into a rotational player who contributes on early downs.

6th Round, 206th overall: Fadil Diggs, EDGE, Syracuse

It’s always wise to throw a dart on an edge rusher or two in the NFL Draft. Syracuse defensive lineman Fadil Diggs has the size (6-foot-4 and 258 pounds) and length to stick in the NFL and he’s played multiple alignments, offering a hint of versatility. As a seventh-round pick, New York could see if NFL coaching gets the physical tools to click and if he doesn’t make the roster, Diggs would at least be a solid practice squad candidate.