Winners and losers on the Jets roster from the 2026 NFL Draft

Isaiah Davis

Davis performed well as the number two running back behind Breece Hall following Braelon Allen’s injury. Being an RB2 on a late round rookie contract seldom comes with much job security, though. That goes double when the back was selected by the previous regime. Since the Jets did not select a running back, any potential danger to Davis’ roster spot is gone. He still might need to compete with Allen to keep the RB2 job, though.

Losers

Will McDonald

Barring injuries, I don’t think McDonald will be more than a part-time player going forward. The Jets signed a pair of edge defenders, Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai, in free agency. David Bailey will almost certainly be a full-time player. My guess is the Jets want one of their edges to be a pass rusher and the other to be more of a power defender. Enagbare and Ossai project more as stout defenders at the point of attack than pure pass rushers. Bailey is the rusher. That’s the role that fits McDonald as well. The number two overall pick is going to see the field, though. It would be tough to play Bailey and McDonald together on early downs since neither projects a strong run defender. I think the 2023 first round pick will likely be relegated to situational pass rushing status.

Jeremy Ruckert

It might be tempting to put Mason Taylor on this list, but the Jets picked Taylor in the second round a year ago. I haven’t seen anything to suggest they have soured on him. And the selection of Kenyon Sadiq does not necessarily relegate Taylor to the bench. The Jets can run plenty of personnel packages with two tight ends. I don’t think they can run many three tight end sets, though, so Ruckert’s playing time seems likely to drop dramatically. At least he will be well-compensated with his new contract.

Brady Cook

Cook was probably on borrowed time anyway after his disastrous stint playing at the end of the season, but the selection of Cade Klubnik might bring a close to his Jets career. Klubnik is the new developmental project. I would guess that the Jets will sign a veteran to backup Geno Smith in the weeks ahead. Even if they don’t, Bailey Zappe has an NFL history of at least brief splashes of quality play which is more than you could say for Cook. I don’t see Cook’s path to a roster spot. If he wants to stay with the Jets, convincing them to keep him on the practice squad might be his best shot.