3 NY Jets draft mistakes that must not be repeated in 2026
Jets X-Factor • • sports
Key Points:
- The New York Jets struggled for a decade (2012-21) to find offensive building blocks in the second round, particularly with wide receivers Stephen Hill, Devin Smith, Denzel Mims, and Elijah Moore, who were all physically gifted but ultimately underperformed due to a lack of skills and mental makeup.
- The Jets' 2014 draft class, led by GM John Idzik, is a cautionary tale against prioritizing quantity over quality, as the team had 12 picks but only one starter by the next season, highlighting the importance of securing premium early-round selections to build a franchise.
- The Sam Darnold era teaches the Jets the necessity of surrounding a first-round quarterback with adequate offensive support, as their 2018 draft failed to add key offensive players, which hindered Darnold's development and the team's offensive performance.
- Moving forward, the Jets should balance physical traits with football skills, prioritize quality early picks over numerous late-round selections, and when drafting a quarterback, invest additional high picks in offensive talent to maximize the quarterback's success and avoid repeating past mistakes.
