The New York Jets entered the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft with a limited hand. After trading away picks throughout the offseason to acquire veteran talent and move around the board, the Jets held only two of their own selections on Saturday. They made both count, adding a powerful interior defender in Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. at No. 103 in the fourth round and a rangy, physical safety in Kansas State's VJ Payne at No. 228 in the seventh round.
The picks won't generate the same headlines as a first-round splash, but they fill clear needs and reinforce the kind of roster-building the Jets have prioritized under general manager Darren Mougey. Let's break down both selections and what they mean for the Jets' 2026 outlook.
Darrell Jackson Jr.: A Grown Man in the Middle
With the 103rd overall pick, the Jets turned to the defensive line and selected Darrell Jackson Jr., a 6'4", 315-pound defensive tackle who spent his final collegiate season at Florida State after transferring from Miami. Jackson's journey to the NFL is far from a straight line, but his tape shows a player who plays with the kind of nasty demeanor that new defensive coordinator Brian Duker is looking for up front.
Jackson is a two-gapping run defender first and foremost. He stacks blockers at the point of attack, holds his ground with a wide base, and has the upper-body strength to shed and make plays on the ball carrier. That fits perfectly into a Jets defensive scheme that has historically asked its interior linemen to eat up space and free up linebackers to run free. With starting defensive tackles like Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips already commanding attention, Jackson projects as a rotational player who can step in on early downs and keep the starters fresh.
However, Jackson is not a pass-rush specialist. He finished his college career with just 7.5 sacks over five seasons, and he lacks the explosive first step or pass-rush moves to consistently win in obvious passing situations. That's fine. The Jets already have interior linemen like David Onyemata, Payton Page, and Mazi Smith who contribute to the pass rush. What they were missing was a true run-stuffing presence who could hold the point against double teams in short-yardage situations. Jackson provides exactly that.
According to the New York Jets' official announcement, Jackson started 26 games over his college career and was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week once during his 2025 season. That kind of production might not jump off the stat sheet, but his film tells a different story. He consistently reset the line of scrimmage against power run teams, and he has a knack for locating the football through traffic.
One area where Jackson will need to improve is his conditioning and snap-to-snap consistency. Scouts noted that his effort level can wax and wane, and he was occasionally a step slow getting off the ball against quick-tempo offenses. The Jets' coaching staff -- particularly a veteran defensive line group -- will be tasked with pushing him to bring that motor every snap.
Jackson also brings versatility. He has experience playing both a 3-technique and a 1-technique alignment, which allows the Jets to move him around depending on down and distance. In short-yardage packages, he could be an immediate contributor. In obvious passing situations, he'll likely take a seat. That's a clear role, and one that should keep him on the active roster as a rookie.
VJ Payne: A Long, Physical Safety for the Seventh Round
The Jets didn't wait long to double down on the safety position. With their final pick of the draft -- selection No. 228 in the seventh round -- they added Kansas State's VJ Payne, a 6'3", 206-pound safety who started 26 games across a four-year career with the Wildcats.
Payne is an intriguing dart throw at this stage of the draft. His size and length are well above average for the safety position, and he uses that frame to disrupt passing windows and lay punishing hits over the middle. He's not the fastest player on the field, running in the high 4.5s, but his football IQ and ability to diagnose plays quickly allow him to close on the ball before receivers can settle into their routes.
What stands out most on Payne's tape is his physicality. He is a tone-setter in the run game, coming downhill with bad intentions against blockers and ball carriers alike. That fits the Jets' defensive identity perfectly. In a division that features running backs like Breece Hall (who the Jets see often in practice) and other physical runners around the league, having a safety who can trigger downhill and fill gaps is a valuable commodity.
Payne also brings experience as a special teams contributor. He was a core special teamer at Kansas State, covering kicks and punts with the same aggression he brings to his defensive snaps. That's often the only path to a roster spot for a seventh-round pick, and Payne's willingness to do the dirty work improves his odds of sticking in the NFL.
The concern with Payne is his range in deep coverage. He lacks elite recovery speed, which means he can be vulnerable if he takes a false step or bites on a double move. The Jets will likely use him in a box safety role early in his career, where his physicality and instincts can shine without exposing him to too many deep responsibilities.
With starting safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick, Andre Cisco, and Dane Belton ahead of him, Payne will compete for a depth role and a spot on all four core special teams units. The Jets have a history of finding value in late-round defensive backs, and Payne has the traits and mentality to be the next in that line.
Drafting With Limited Capital -- and a Clear Vision
The Jets entered Day 3 with just two of their own draft picks. That is the price of making aggressive moves to acquire veteran star power, and it's a trade-off the front office was comfortable making. What matters is how they used those picks.
Jackson and Payne aren't flashy names, but they represent the kind of foundational depth that wins games in December and January. The Jets had a pressing need for a big-bodied interior lineman who could hold up against the run in short-yardage situations. Jackson checks that box. They also needed a physical, high-IQ safety who could contribute on special teams and develop into a situational defensive weapon. Payne fits the profile.
Both players will have clear paths to compete for roster spots. Jackson will work in behind Jowon Briggs, Harrison Phillips, and David Onyemata, and he could push Payton Page for snaps in early-down packages. Payne will battle with other developmental safeties for a spot as the team's fourth safety and a core special teamer.
The 2026 NFL Draft wasn't about volume for the New York Jets. It was about precision. And with Darrell Jackson Jr. and VJ Payne, they landed two players who should be part of the long-term solution on defense. Now it's time to get to work.
