7 Players the Jets Could Target in Round 2 of the NFL Draft

Green & White Hold the No. 42 Overall Pick After Selecting Missouri T Armand Membou in Round 1

OFFENSE

LSU TE Mason Taylor (6-5, 246)
The son of Hall of Fame defensive lineman Jason Taylor, Mason Taylor leaves LSU as the program’s all-time leader among tight ends in career receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,308). While his numbers aren’t flashy — his single-game high for receiving yards was 63, and he posted career-bests of 55 catches and 546 yards in 2024 — scouts are intrigued by his reliability and upside. Dane Brugler of The Athletic compared Taylor’s style to that of Hunter Henry.

Iowa State WRs Jayden Higgins (6-4, 214) and Jaylin Noel (5-10, 194)
Higgins was a model of consistency in college, recording no drops on 117 targets of 10-plus yards over his career. His eight career 100-yard games rank third in Cyclones history, and he set a school record by catching touchdowns in seven consecutive games. After beginning his career at Eastern Kentucky, Higgins broke out in 2024 with 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Noel, offering a contrasting style, played primarily out of the slot (nearly 70% of his snaps) in 2024. Despite his smaller frame, he was a major deep threat, ranking third nationally over the past two seasons with eight receptions of 50+ yards. Noel left Iowa State second in career receptions (245) and fourth in receiving yards (2,851). Both receivers boast impressive speed — Higgins ran a 4.44 and Noel a 4.39 at the NFL Combine.

Miami TE Elijah Arroyo (6-5, 254)
Though injuries hampered his time at Miami, Arroyo put together a strong 2024 season, setting career highs with 35 catches for 590 yards and 7 touchdowns. Growing up in Mexico before moving to Texas, Arroyo led the FBS in yards per catch (16.9) last season, with 71% of his receptions resulting in either a first down or a touchdown.

DEFENSE

Toledo DT Darius Alexander (6-4, 305)
In free agency, Jets GM Darren Mougey bolstered the defensive tackle rotation with Derrick Nnadi, Byron Cowart, and Jay Tufele. Still, Darius Alexander could be a valuable addition. A former offensive tackle turned defensive lineman, Alexander impressed at the Senior Bowl and offers intriguing length, athleticism, and power. Over 58 college games (27 starts), he tallied 127 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 13 passes defended. Alexander, who turns 25 in August, has the tools to develop into a three-down NFL player.

South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori (6-3, 220)
Will Emmanwori still be available at No. 42? If so, he could be hard to pass up. Despite signing free agent Andre Cisco and re-signing Isaiah Oliver, the Jets could add more young talent to the secondary. A physical and versatile safety, Emmanwori led South Carolina with 88 tackles in 2024 while also recording 4 interceptions, 3 sacks, and 6 pass breakups. Known for his aggressive mentality, The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler wrote, “Love his physical mentality — he’d be competing in UFC if not for football.” Emmanwori has the traits to thrive both in the box and in coverage.

Arkansas Edge Landon Jackson (6-6, 264)
Although edge rusher isn’t a top need, adding depth could strengthen the Jets’ rotation. Landon Jackson, with an enormous 83 5/8-inch wingspan, brings proven production. He led Arkansas in tackles for loss and sacks in back-to-back seasons, posting 13.5 and 9.5 TFLs, respectively, and recording 6.5 sacks each year. Jackson, a two-time team captain, impressed at the Senior Bowl with his strength and ability to convert speed to power. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah praised him, noting, “His speed-to-power showed up big time at the Senior Bowl. I love when guys ace all the tests — production in college and domination at an all-star game.”