Kicking into the Draft!

Edition #1055: The Jets find themselves back in the kicking conundrum with Nick Folk trading in the North East for a dome friendly situation. Should they draft a kicker?

Good morning ☕

How many kickers have the Jets had since 2015?

While we can go back and count each and every one (It’s around 20), I think the most appropriate answer is “too many”.

Last season the Jets rode the renaissance wave of Nick Folk’s leg, but we were outbid by a team in a better situation for an aging kicker.

The Jets make finding stability at the kicker position look as difficult as finding a franchise signal caller, so what’s the plan for 2026?

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NEWS & NOTES

• It’s another day and another mock draft, this one from ESPN’s Field Yates:

  • #2 - David Bailey - “Bailey happens to thread the needle of taking a player with a grade commensurate with the No. 2 pick & at an area the team must continue to invest in. His 14.5 sacks in 2025 was tied for the most in the FBS, as he plays with a lightning-quick first step & an aggressive approach to pass rushing. No Jets player had over eight sacks last season.”

  • #16 - Makai Lemon - “Despite his moderate size at 5-11, 192 pounds, Lemon’s breakout season in 2025 launched him into conversation with Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate for the best receiver in this class. His hallmarks are his toughness, run-after-catch skills and strong hands. His catch radius is better than you’d expect for a player who is built more like a slot receiver, leading to 20 contested catches over the past two seasons. For the Jets, Lemon’s firepower is necessary to take some attention away from Garrett Wilson. Outside of Wilson, no Jets receiver had over 30 receptions or 350 receiving yards in 2025.”

  • #33 - Colton Hood (CB) - “The Jets traded away Sauce Gardner to the Colts last season, a move that was impossible to turn down given the two first-round picks in return. Hood is an explosive corner who shows upon against the run and brings good ball skills along with his 4.44 speed. He helped Tennessee withstand the absence of Jermod McCoy in 2025, finishing with 10 pass breakups.”

  • #44 - Kristen Miller (DT) - “Miller would help fill the void created when the team traded away Quinnen Williams. (This pick is from Dallas in that trade.) Miller is a brick wall at 6-4, 321 pounds, using his length to get his arms up in passing lanes and his strength to help collapse the interior of the pocket.”

• The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Jets receiver Elijah Moore to a one year deal. Moore is still only 25 but has already been on four different teams. Last season he was with the Bills and caught 9 passes for 112 yards and 0 TD. His best year is still his rookie year with the Jets back in 2021 when he caught 43 passes for 538 yards and 5 touchdowns.

• The Giants have signed former Jets linebacker Cam Jones to a one year deal. Jones spent the 2025 season with us where he became a very solid special teams contributor. I trust that Banjo will be able to find replacement for these special teamers that we’re losing.

• Zach Wilson has a new home. He’s earned himself a contract with the New Orleans Saints. He’ll be the third QB on that roster to start camp behind starter Tyler Shough and backup Spencer Rattler. Some may wonder if this makes Rattler available for trade, I don’t think so…and even if it did I would have less than 1% interest in that move.

• He’s not the only former Jets QB to find a new home yesterday. QB Trevor Siemian is signing a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

• The Jets power structure will be in Ohio today for the OSU Pro Day. Considering how many prospects they have at positions of need for the Jets, this is a key day in the scouting cycle.

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The Draft Kickers

Do you spend draft capital selecting a kicker? That’s always the question that pops up around this time of year.

In 2025 two kickers were selected in the draft, Andrés Borregales by the Patriots in the 6th round and Tyler Loop by the Ravens, also in the 6th round.