Former Jets GM outlines the perfect first-round NFL Draft blueprint

The New York Jets don’t have the luxury of getting this draft wrong. Not this time. Head coach Aaron Glenn's seat seems to be a lot warmer than it was at this same juncture of the 2025 offseason.

His first year? It brought its surprises, and not necessarily in a good way. They lost 14 games. They traded star defenders Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.

No one panic. That was part of some long-term planning. At least that's what we're told. Armed with premium draft capital and a roster still searching for long-term stability, every move they make in the first round will carry weight.

That’s why, as the NFL Draft approaches, familiar voices have re-entered the conversation, including someone who knows exactly what it’s like to build this franchise from the inside.

Mike Tannenbaum has been here before. He has some ideas that will improve the roster, including one that doesn't fit the familiar narratives.

Tannenbaum outlines an aggressive but solid Jets draft strategy.

Jets fans remember his rise through the organization, from director of player contracts in the late 1990s to general manager and senior vice president of football operations. His tenure included big swings, bold decisions, and a front-row seat to the challenges of constructing a contender in New York.

Even after his time with the hated Miami Dolphins and his transition to media at ESPN, that instinct hasn’t faded. So, naturally, he has a plan. For the most part, it aligns with what many expect, but there's a twist. He has an aggressive idea that lands a prospect at the game's most important position.

Start with the obvious. At No. 2 overall, Tannenbaum believes the Jets should address edge rusher. That tracks. It’s a premium position, a foundational piece, and one that can immediately impact the defense.