Jimmy Johnson issues Jets warning over upcoming NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Jets are in a very interesting spot over the next two draft classes. They have a ton of capital early in the draft for the next two years, and the upcoming draft is the start of such prolific capital.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets own the No. 2 pick, along with the 16th, 33rd, and 44th picks in the draft. Add in the three first-rounders the Jets have next season, and they could turn this franchise around if those picks hit.
Ahead of the first draft with an abundance of picks, Jimmy Johnson issued the Jets a warning about how to properly use these picks. ESPN's Rich Cimini shared the warning for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, one that they should take to heart.
"Johnson said there can be a 'danger' in having so many picks," Cimini writes. To avoid what Johnson warns could be a cavalier approach, what should the Jets do?
"Look at each individual pick as if it's the last pick you have. That'll keep you from wasting it," Johnson said. "It's like the old saying: Money coming from gambling easily disappears. Money from hard work continually grows. So you can't be risky with those picks just because you've got extra."
The Jets own four picks inside the top 44 selections this year. It would be easy to fall into the trap of taking high-risk players just because they have so many picks.
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But, if the Jets take riskier players all throughout the draft, and none hit, they will have wasted their abundance of picks that could turn their franchise around.
After years of languishing at the bottom of the standings and owning top picks in the NFL Draft, the Jets might finally be able to turn things around over these next two draft classes. But, only if they are smart about their picks.
"If they use the picks wisely," Johnson said, "this could give them a foundation for years to come. The key is not getting the picks. The key is picking the right players."
Johnson's commentary on the Jets' situation comes from experience. Back in the 1991 and 1992 drafts, the Dallas Cowboys owned eight-or-more picks in the first two rounds. That's where the Jets find themselves in 2026 and 2027.
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Since 1990, there have been seven teams to make at least eight picks in the first two rounds of back-to-back NFL Drafts. Three of those seven went on to win the Super Bowl, and all made the playoffs.
The Jets cannot mess this up, as it's their best chance to get back on track as a playoff team. Johnson is warning the Jets to be smart about these picks, as if they hit on these selections, the Jets could instantly change the tides of their franchise.
Johnson's warning should not fall on deaf ears within the Jets facility. This year and next year are two very important drafts for the Jets. Glenn and Mougey need to take this advice to heart. If not, they might waste the Jets' best chance to return to the playoffs.
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