Jets Trade No. 2 Pick to Titans, Select Two Elite Defenders

New York acquires Titans' picks Nos. 4, 35, and 101 in exchange for No. 2 overall selection

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:06am

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The New York Jets and Tennessee Titans made a significant trade at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, with the Jets acquiring interior defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat in exchange for pass-rusher Jermaine Johnson II. In a mock draft, the Jets then traded down from the No. 2 overall pick to the Titans' No. 4 selection, gaining additional draft capital while still landing elite defensive prospects Arvell Reese and Jermod McCoy.

Why it matters

The Jets' trade-down and subsequent draft picks address key needs on the defensive side of the ball, as the team looks to build a championship-caliber roster around young quarterback Zach Wilson. Reese and McCoy are both highly touted prospects who could make an immediate impact in New York's defense.

The details

In the mock draft, the Jets traded the No. 2 overall pick to the Titans in exchange for picks Nos. 4, 35, and 101. With the No. 4 selection, the Jets chose Arvell Reese, an edge rusher/linebacker from Ohio State. Reese played primarily off-ball linebacker in college but has the versatility to rush the passer as well. With their second first-round pick at No. 16, the Jets selected Jermod McCoy, a cornerback from Tennessee who missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL but was a standout in 2024.

  • The trade between the Jets and Titans occurred at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April.

The players

Arvell Reese

An edge rusher/linebacker from Ohio State who was named the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2025.

Jermod McCoy

A cornerback from Tennessee who missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL but was a standout in 2024, earning a 89.6 PFF coverage grade that ranked 9th among all college cornerbacks.

T'Vondre Sweat

An interior defensive lineman acquired by the Jets from the Titans in a player-for-player trade.

Jermaine Johnson II

A pass-rusher traded by the Jets to the Titans in exchange for T'Vondre Sweat.

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What they’re saying

“The trade-down works out perfectly for the Jets, who still land Reese with the fourth overall pick. Reese himself said recently that he believes he is an edge rusher, despite playing just 138 pass-rushing snaps in college.”

— Gordon McGuinness, PFF Analyst (SI.com)

What’s next

All eyes will be on Jermod McCoy's performance at Tennessee's Pro Day on March 31, as it will be his first showcase in front of scouts since the 2024 College Football Playoffs.

The takeaway

The Jets' trade-down and subsequent draft selections demonstrate the team's commitment to building a formidable defense to complement their young offensive core. Reese and McCoy are both high-upside prospects who could make an immediate impact in New York.