2026 Team Outlook: New York Jets
QB Cade Klubnik, NYJ - Dynasty Only
Klubnik went 19-8 over his first two seasons at Clemson, averaging 34.8 passing attempts per game before reaching a peak in 2024 (4,102 combined yards, 43 touchdowns, and just six interceptions). Last year was a step back across the board. His completion rate actually hit a career high (65.6%), but passing yards (2,943), passing touchdowns (16), and rushing yards (94 – 119/463/7 in 2024) all declined sharply, a reflection of both his regression and the Tigers' offensive struggles as a whole. He operated primarily out of the shotgun in an RPO-heavy system, and while his career yards per rush (2.4) undersells his athleticism, he's shown enough to score 15 times on the ground over the past three seasons. As a passer, he works best getting the ball out quickly into the short and intermediate areas, with a balanced arm that can generate zip or dial back velocity depending on the throw. He's also capable of extending plays with his feet and maintaining accuracy on the move, a legitimate asset at the next level. The concerns center on what happens when the pocket collapses. Interior pressure gives him real trouble, leading to high, off-target throws on throws that should be completions. His ability to diagnose defenses pre-snap and push the ball down the field consistently are two areas that need development before he can be trusted as a starter. At 6'2" and
around 205 lbs., the frame is slightly below what scouts look for in an NFL starting quarterback. Fantasy Outlook: The Jets signed Geno Smith to a minimal deal in March ($3.3 million for one season), but he will receive $16.2 million this year from the Raiders. Based on this, the opportunity is real for Klubnik to steal New York's starting quarterback job this summer.
RB Braelon Allen, NYJ - Fantasy Handcuff
Allen is a rhythm-and-power runner whose best football comes when he leans into his physicality — running through traffic, bouncing off tacklers, and grinding out yards after contact. His problems surface when he tries to compensate with quickness and footwork he doesn't quite have, leading to indecisive moments that stall drives. Embracing his identity as a power back is the clearest path to becoming a reliable NFL contributor. He should hold up well in pass protection. His Wisconsin resume is substantial (3,494 rushing yards on 597 carries with 35 touchdowns over three seasons), surpassing 100 yards in 21 games. The receiving production (49 catches with 275 yards – 5.6 yards per catch) was limited and largely incidental to his role. His NFL audition came in flashes. He looked like a genuine threat to Breece Hall's workload in Weeks 2 and 3 of 2024 (7/33/1 with two catches for 23 yards and a score ~ 11/55 with three catches for 13 yards), but the momentum didn't hold. Over his final 14 games, he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and totaled only 341 combined yards,
one touchdown, and 13 catches on 86 touches, a stretch that raised more questions than it answered. Allen has a dull start to 2025 over four games (18/76/1 with two catches for 17 yards) while being on the field for 58 plays (23.9%), compared to 48 plays (19.8%) by Isaiah Davis. His season ended in Week 4 due to an MCL injury to his left knee that required surgery in late October. His recovery time was expected to be two to three months, giving Allen a clean window to be ready for training camp this summer. Fantasy Outlook: Allen will be a early down rotational running back for the Jets again in 2026. He’ll catch some scripted passes, but Isaiah Davis will be New York’s go-to back on passing downs if Breece Hall has an injury. In early drafts in the high-stakes market, Allen is only a late handcuff flier.
RB Isaiah Davis, NYJ - Fantasy Handcuff
Davis was a workhorse at South Dakota State, absorbing 529 touches over two seasons and producing 3,401 combined yards, 34 touchdowns, and 44 catches. His 2023 efficiency numbers were particularly strong (6.7 yards per rush and 8.7 yards per catch) against FCS competition. New York's second big-back addition in the 2024 NFL draft, Davis is a patient, physical interior runner with good vision between the tackles. His limitations show up in space, where a 4.57 40-yard dash puts him below the NFL average for the position and limits his upside on outside runs and in the passing game. His rookie season was a quiet one. He saw just 39 touches total, with 35 of them coming over the final six weeks (26/156/1 with eight catches for 65 yards and another score). Davis finished with 249 combined yards, two touchdowns, and nine catches, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 8.3 yards per catch. His best outing came in Week 14 (67 combined yards, one touchdown, three catches).
Despite the injury to Braelon Allen in Week 4, Davis had a modest increase in his second season with the Jets (43/236/1 with 21 catches for 186 yards on 28 targets). He continued on the winning path in yards per rush (5.5) and yards per catch (8.9), signaling an intriguing deep sleeper if given a starting opportunity. Davis was at his best in Week 8 (109 combined yards with five catches on 12 touches) while scoring double-digit fantasy points in two other matchups (9/65/1 and 3/8 with four catches for 52 yards. He missed a golden opportunity to shine in Week 18 (concussion) with Breece Hall out. Fantasy Outlook: Of the two rotational backs for the Jets, I like the ceiling and overall opportunity of Davis if Breece Hall was traded or had a lengthy injury. His size and three-down profile are a winning blend for me, and Davis will be found in the free agent pool in most 12-team leagues until he jumps Braelon Allen on New York’s running back depth chart.
WR Adonai Mitchell, NYJ - Sleeper (undervalued)
Indianapolis used a second-round pick in 2024 on Mitchell, betting on a 4.34 speed profile and a 6'2", 205 lb. frame that checks every box for a red zone and deep-ball threat. He gets off the line quickly enough to beat press coverage, and his size gives him legitimate scoring upside inside the 20. The limitations show up in his route running, which isn't yet at the level of the better receivers in the NFL, and his hands are
inconsistent: capable of highlight-reel grabs away from his body one play, then a bobble against tight coverage the next. At Georgia over two seasons, he caught 38 of 71 targets for 560 yards and seven touchdowns before transferring to Texas, where an expanded opportunity in 2023 produced his best college season (55/845/11 on 92 targets). Three performances stood out in particular (10/141/1, 8/149/1, 6/109/1), offering a glimpse of what he can do when things click. His transition to the NFL has been slow. The Colts used him on just 35.2% of snaps in his rookie season, and he finished with 23 catches on 55 targets for 312 yards and no touchdowns. A quiet debut that raised questions about his readiness without necessarily answering them. The Colts traded Mitchell last October after producing minimal stats over eight games (9/152/0 on 16 targets – 3/96 in Week 4). A starting job with the Jets gave him much need experience at the pro level, resulting in two enticing outcomes (8/102/1 and 7/69/1). Unfortunately, Mitchell only caught 25 of his 59 targets (42.4%) in New York, with only 10 catches for 141 yards and no touchdowns on 37 targets in his other six games. Fantasy Outlook: Mitchell adds speed to the Jets’ passing game, but he looks to be a challenging wideout to roster in the fantasy market. His role in 2026 for the Jets should be more rotational, highlighted by him being a free agent in most 12-team redraft leagues.
WR Omar Cooper Jr., NYJ - Bust (overvalued)
Cooper announced himself in 2024 by leading the Big Ten in yards per catch (21.2), finishing with 28 catches for 594 yards and seven touchdowns while chipping in two carries (2/23/1). He built on that breakout in 2025, rounding out his game with Fernando Mendoza at quarterback (69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, plus three rushes for 74 yards and a score). A 10-catch, 207-yard, four-touchdown demolition of Indiana State in a 73-0 win was his highlight game, though his production dipped considerably over his final nine starts (2/2, 7/86/1, 6/32/1, 3/39/1,
3/64/1, 0/0, 3/45/1, 3/17/1, 5/71), where touchdowns (6) remained a big part of his stat line. At the 2026 Combine, Cooper ran a 4.42 in the 40-yards dash, showcasing the speed that Indiana leaned on heavily, scheming him open on quick throws near the line of scrimmage, where he could do damage after the catch. His release is above average, and he brings a natural slot skill set to the NFL. Route running is still a work in progress, but he's already a threat on slants, crossing routes, and isolated matchups downfield. Run blocking is a weak point. The traits, though, are hard to ignore. I see Antonio Brown in the way he creates separation, and Tyreek Hill in what he can do once he has space. Fantasy Outlook: The best part about Cooper in the Jets' offense in his rookie season is that he will attract attention in the deep passing game, a potential win for better run lanes for their running backs. In the early draft season in the high-stakes market, he projects to be a backend WR5 with a sleeper ADP (164). This home run hitter will be up and down in the NFL, making him a challenging player to time, even with WR2 snaps. My initial thought is 35 catches for 500 yards with a run at a handful of scores. Last year, only three players had more than 35 catches on the Jets (Mason Taylor – 44, Breece Hall – 36, and Garrett Wilson – 36).
WR Tim Patrick, NYJ - Not Draft Worthy
Patrick carved out a reliable backup role in Denver during the 2020 (51/742/6) and 2021 (53/734/5) seasons, consistently stepping up when injuries thinned the Broncos' receiver room. In 2021 alone, he delivered seven usable fantasy performances (4/39/1, 3/37/1, 5/98, 7/89, 3/42/1, 4/85/1, and 6/95). Then the injury spiral began — a torn ACL in his right
knee wiped out 2022, and an Achilles injury claimed the following year entirely. Denver cut him loose ahead of the 2024 season, and Detroit picked him up. The Lions worked him into a WR3 role at 55.2% snap share, producing 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns on 44 targets. Nearly all of his fantasy value was concentrated in a two-week window (a 6/43/2 outing in Week 14 and a 4/30/1 follow-up in Week 15), combining for 15 targets between them. Outside of those two games, Detroit never looked his way more than four times in any single matchup. A move to Jacksonville last season led to a much weaker role (WR5 snaps) for Patrick, even with the Jaguars having some wide receiver injuries. He caught 15 of his 24 targets for 187 yards and three touchdowns while offering playable stats in two games (3/20/1 and 5/78/1). Fantasy Outlook: Patrick brings experience to the Jets' offense, and he finds a way to make some clutch plays to move the chains when given that opportunity. His size helps his value at the goal line (17 touchdowns over his last 63 games), but Patrick is only a waiver wire player in fantasy leagues.
