Jets Predicted to Block Dolphins With Bengals Trade Pitch

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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn reacting after an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins.

The New York Jets can hit two birds with one stone.

Gang Green’s brass has displayed confidence in the wide receiver room this offseason. That must mean they have a plan to address the position.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell predicted such a plan in his trade mock draft.

New York Jets receive: a 2026 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall)

Cincinnati Bengals receive: a 2026 first-round pick (No. 16 overall) and a 2026 second-round pick (No. 44 overall)

“Receiver is a need for the Jets even after extending Garrett Wilson and acquiring Adonai Mitchell via trade last year. If Wilson goes down hurt, as he did last season, this instantly becomes one of the worst receiving groups in the NFL, if not the worst. Glenn might believe Geno Smith is going to take the Jets to ‘the promised land,’ but he can’t do it on a solo mission,” Barnwell explained.

“Moving up for a wide receiver such as [Makai] Lemon or Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson — or even top tight end prospect Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon — could make sense for Mougey, who has plenty of draft capital. The Bengals aren’t looking for a receiver, but it stands to reason that the [Miami] Dolphins and [Los Angeles] Rams would be, which could leave the Jets without their preferred target at No. 16. The Bengals need as much cost-controlled talent as possible given the cost of the big three in their passing game, so adding another premium pick early on Day 2 would be the right idea for Cincinnati,” Barnwell added.

The Jets could get a shiny new offensive piece and block their AFC East rival from acquiring one. That’s a win-win scenario.

Taking a Look at the Trade Numbers

This would be an interesting two picks for two picks swap. According to the NFL draft value chart, the combo of the Jets’ selections is worth 1,460 points. The Bengals’ pair of picks is worth 1,374 points.

That is a difference of 86 points, which is the equivalent of an early fourth-round overpay by the Jets.

However, it should be noted that the draft chart is simply a guideline and not a hard-and-fast rule for trading. Plus, teams that are moving up typically pay more than the teams trading back.

The Trade Winds Are Blowing

General manager Darren Mougey has developed a reputation as a bit of a trader. It seems like this is the perfect draft for that philosophy.

“The expectation among many NFL teams is that the 2026 draft will be one of the more trade-heavy drafts in recent memory, according to multiple league sources. Specifically, on the defensive side of the ball — EDGE, CB and LB are all strong/deep — while WR is typically considered to be the most talented offensive position,” NFL Insider Jordan Schultz posted on social media.

“Several executives I’ve spoken with believe we’re likely to see a flurry of activity in the first half of Round 1. Additionally, because this specific draft lacks depth in the later rounds, many teams plan to pursue extra Day 2 and early Day 3 picks, per league sources,” Schultz added.

The Receiver to Watch…

Any of the top receivers could be in play for the Jets at pick No. 16 overall, and especially in any potential trade-up scenario.

However, the one that has caught their eye is Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah told Mina Kimes on her podcast that Tate will be entertained as soon as the No. 2 overall pick.

While it would be a stunner to actually see Tate go that high, that potentially reveals how high the Jets actually are on him.

So if he has a draft day slide into the backend of the top-10 picks, perhaps even to the Bengals, the Jets could strike.

Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.