Predicting what Jets’ 2026 starting lineup will look like

Aaron Glenn’s first season as head coach of the New York Jets hasn’t gone as many had hoped. However, that doesn’t mean the struggles in 2025 will persist after the year is completed.

New York will walk into the 2026 offseason with over $99 million in cap space and four selections in the top 64 overall picks of the upcoming draft. There will be plenty of resources available to help turn the organization around.

It’s never too early to predict what those changes could look like.

In the case of the Jets, the start of the 2026 offseason could bring significant changes to almost every position group on either side of the ball. Today, it’s time for our early predictions of what New York will look like next season.

Let’s get to it.

2026 Jets starting lineup prediction

* = rookie draft pick

Italics = free agent pickup

Offense:

• QB: Fernando Mendoza*
• RB: Breece Hall
• WR: Garrett Wilson, Alec Pierce, KC Concepcion*
• TE: Mason Taylor
• LT: Olu Fashanu
• LG: John Simpson
• C: Tyler Linderbaum
• RG: Joe Tippmann
• RT: Armand Membou

Defense:

• EDGE: Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Kwity Paye
• DT: Jowon Briggs, Christen Miller*, John Franklin-Myers
• LB: Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa
• CB: Brandon Stephens, AZ Thomas, Jarvis Brownlee
• FS: Geno Stone
• SS: Malachi Moore

An offensive retool

The Jets need a new quarterback, quality second and third options at receiver, as well as an answer at center.

With four premium draft picks and over $99 million in salary cap space, the Jets should be able to solve almost all of those needs.

Fernando Mendoza seems like the obvious pick at quarterback. The Jets have done a lot of work on the Indiana quarterback, and it just seems like a perfect fit for all parties.

Whether by franchise tag or by long-term agreement, New York seems more willing than ever to bring Breece Hall back.

In terms of additions, a second-round selection of Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion, coupled with the free agent signing of Alec Pierce, allows the Jets to build a receiving room that would be the most talented in Garrett Wilson’s time with the team.

The big surprise, though, is at the center position. New York is going to let one of Alijah Vera-Tucker or John Simpson walk in free agency. With Joe Tippmann’s strong play at right guard, it seems more likely that AVT hits the open market.

As the top free agent offensive lineman, former Ravens first-round pick Tyler Linderbaum is a massive get for the Jets’ young and rapidly improving offensive line.

Front seven overhaul

After several trades and misguided signings, New York has a desperate need along their defensive line.

That group is expected to receive an overhaul in the draft and in free agency. From the versatile free agent signings of Kwity Paye and former Jet-returning-home John Franklin-Myers, to the draft selection of Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller, Gang Green will see an infusion of balanced skill coming to the team in the offseason.

At linebacker, the organization will bank on a rebound from veteran captain Jamien Sherwood. With the departure of Quincy Williams, the team will also rely on second-year linebacker Kiko Mauigoa to lead the way.

Safety Geno Stone is brought in to help along the backend, but the secondary will remain largely untouched due to the expected improvements of second-year players like Moore and Thomas.

There is still a long way to go until the Jets utilize their ample assets in free agency and the draft, but this is an early idea of what their overhauled roster could look like.