Jets 2026 NFL Draft pick update after Colts MNF loss in Week 16 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Jets’ 2025 season has been over from a playoff standpoint since very early in the season. But, there are still a lot of things to pay close attention to this season.
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Jets fans have one main wish: for the Indianapolis Colts to lose, miss the playoffs, and improve the Jets’ draft pick they got back for the Sauce Gardner trade.
With the Colts’ Monday Night Football loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16, the Jets’ draft picks are set. According to Tankathon.com, heading into Week 17, the Jets’ draft picks are both inside the top-20.
Jets 2026 NFL Draft pick tracker: Impact of Colts MNF loss to 49ers
The Jets’ own first-round pick is currently slated to be fourth overall, behind the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cleveland Browns. With the Browns and Raiders potentially in the market for a QB, the Jets are in a dangerous spot.
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But, with the Colts’ loss to the 49ers on Monday Night Football, the Jets now also own the 18th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with their 4th overall selection.
The 8-7 Colts are tied with the Detroit Lions with their record, but the Colts strength of schedule (.537) makes the Lions (.492) draft pick the higher selection.
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With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, and Baltimore Ravens all being 7-8, the best realistic spot the Jets could wind up with is the 14th overall pick.
But, if the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs win out, then the Colts pick, if tiebreakers fall the Jets’ way, could reach as high as 10th overall.
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Jets fans can expect a draft pick in the mid to late teens this upcoming NFL Draft. While the Colts might jump up a few spots this season, they’re not likely to make the playoffs, and should give the Jets a decent draft pick this offseason.
There are still two weeks left for things to change in a major way, and barring any surprises, the Jets will likely wind up with a top-5 draft pick, and the Colts’ pick now in New York, thanks to Gardner, will be in the mid-to-late teens.
