Reese has rare traits and the versatility to play linebacker or edge. He also has the highest upside of anyone in this draft class.

In a draft full of competitive ball-winners, Lemon is one of the best. He plays bigger than his listed size (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) and is pro-ready.

Jets fans will be screaming for a quarterback at this pick, but there isn't a passer worthy of this selection with Mendoza off the board. Instead of reaching for Alabama's Ty Simpson, the Jets' best option is waiting on a quarterback until later in the draft or even 2027, when they have three first-round picks. What's the move? After ranking 31st in sacks this season (26), New York needs a primary pass rusher who will scare offenses. Even though the previous regime spent first-round picks on Jermaine Johnson (2022) and Will McDonald IV (2023), the Jets need a better outside pass rush.

Reese split time at linebacker and edge rusher. He is built in the Micah Parsons/Abdul Carter mold, with elite speed and powerful hands off the edge and high potential once he settles in as a full-time edge rusher.

We're still not reaching for a quarterback, instead going with a "best player available" pick with one of my favorite players in the class. Lemon caught 79 passes with only one drop on 110 targets last season, scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging almost 100 yards per game. Lemon doesn't have elite measurables at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, but he's similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown in his toughness and ability to make plays across the middle and on underneath routes. The Jets have a talented young receiver in Garrett Wilson but need to build out the wide receiver room around him. With two picks coming in Round 2, the Jets have the draft capital to address more needs with high picks.

The Jets traded away Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, but there was a discussion about improving the run defense before that move. McDonald projects as a starter-level nose tackle or 1-technique with the power to keep the linebackers behind him clean and run lanes stuffed.

Simpson doesn't have a Round 1 grade on my board, and I couldn't find a single team that would give him one during conversations at the Senior Bowl. But with four picks in the first two rounds, the Jets can afford to roll the dice on him as a second-rounder with starter upside. Simpson's lack of size and arm strength could ultimately push him down the board, but his poise and processing skills are NFL-level.

An explosive, high-motor LB with a versatile skill set that includes elite closing speed vs. both the run and the pass. He is a terror coming downhill, showcasing his strength and athleticism to shoot gaps, shed blocks and collapse the pocket. Reese is a wrap-up tackling machine who consistently plays with an aggressive edge and the versatility to line up across the front seven. One of the biggest risers over the first month of the college season.

Simpson is a big-armed pocket passer who plays with composure and outstanding mental processing both before and after the snap. He plays with an aggressive confidence and excels at navigating muddy pockets, throwing accurately on short and intermediate routes, and ripping tight-window throws with anticipation -- though he has been historically inconsistent on deep balls. Simpson is athletic enough to buy time with his legs to extend plays and move the sticks.

Best Pick: I love second-round tight end Mason Taylor. He is going to be a big-time pass catcher in their offense. They needed that in the worst way.

Worst Pick: I get the pick of tackle Armand Membou in the first, but I didn't love his tape as much as most analysts did. He's raw. There is talent, but he needs some work.

The Skinny: They added some good football players in Membou, Taylor and third-round corner Azareye'h Thomas. But they all have some questions. I do like fourth-round safety Malachi Moore. He will be a nice player.

Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, tight end and wide receiver

The Aaron Rodgers era is over in New York, and the Jets are on to Justin Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. But to have any hope of avoiding a 15th straight season without the playoffs, they had to get more help on offense around Fields at the draft. They were 20th in yards per play last season (5.2), and the arrow wasn't necessarily pointing up coming out of free agency after losing Davante Adams, Morgan Moses and Tyler Conklin.

New GM Darren Mougey and new coach Aaron Glenn didn't waste any time, though, tackling one of the roster's biggest issues with Armand Membou. He will replace Moses at right tackle, joining Olu Fashanu to form a really good tackle duo. You might see "right tackle" and think run blocker, and yes, he's good in that department. But Membou also has the quickness and pop to improve the pass protection in a hurry.

Looking at the Jets' options in Round 1, I was between Membou and tight end Tyler Warren. New York went Membou, but it got Mason Taylor on Friday. Consider that Jets tight ends averaged 8.1 yards per reception last season, last in the league. Fields excels at throwing to his tight ends, and Taylor is a reliable pass catcher. He has 6-foot-5 size to come down with end zone throws and the route-running traits to pick up key first downs.

Cornerback Azareye'h Thomas is strong in press coverage and has the speed to stick on receivers. The Jets will use him opposite Sauce Gardner. Getting him at No. 73 represents value, too. I had Thomas ranked 47th, and he probably would have been a first-rounder if he ran better at his pro day.

Those three picks were the start of an "A" draft class. But the Day 3 picks didn't muster much. Receiver Arian Smith has speed, but his hands aren't consistent. I had him ranked as WR33. Jalen Royals, Elic Ayomanor and Jaylin Lane were still available when Smith went No. 110. Edge rusher Tyler Baron is a decent fifth-rounder, but the Jets didn't maximize those four picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.