NFL Draft: A look at the some the best and worst No. 2 overall picks

With the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jets general manager Darren Mougey could select a franchise-changing player. Or he could set the franchise back for years by making a mistake.

Thirteen Hall of Fame players have been taken second overall. Lawrence Taylor, the Giants’ pick in 1981, is the best of them all.

There also have been some bad No. 2 choices — as Jets fans know all too well.

The Jets took quarterback Zach Wilson second overall in 2021, running back Blair Thomas in 1990 and receiver Johnny “Lam” Jones in 1980.

Quarterback is the Jets’ No. 1 need at No. 2. It could be a four-QB draft if Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss and Alabama’s Ty Simpson all come out. Mendoza and Moore probably would go 1 and 2. Chambliss and Simpson, who already declared, could go a little later in the first round.

If Moore stays in school, Mougey has a tough call to make, and he can’t afford to make a mistake.

Here are the best and worst players drafted second in the last 25 years.

BEST NO. 2s SINCE 2000

Julius Peppers, DE, 2002 (Panthers)

One of the best defensive ends in NFL history, Peppers is fourth all-time with 159.5 sacks. He played 17 seasons for the Panthers, Bears and Packers and missed only two games in his final 16 years. Peppers made nine Pro Bowls, was named to the All-Pro first team three times and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2024.

Calvin Johnson, WR, 2007 (Lions)

Nicknamed Megatron, Johnson caught 731 passes for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns in nine seasons. He led the league in receiving yards twice and catches once. Johnson walked away in 2016 after an 88-reception, 1,214-yard season, citing health concerns and lack of team success with the Lions.

A six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Johnson was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Von Miller, OLB, 2011 (Broncos)

A game-wrecker who will be enshrined in Canton five years after he retires, Miller ranks ninth in NFL history with 138.5 sacks. He had nine this season for Washington.

Miller is an eight-time Pro Bowl player and helped the Broncos and Rams win Super Bowls. He was named Super Bowl 50 MVP after recording 2.5 sacks of Cam Newton.

Ndamukong Suh, DT, 2010 (Lions)

A force in the middle of the line as a pass rusher and run stopper. Suh had 71.5 sacks, 130 tackles for loss and 215 quarterback hits in his decorated 13-year career.

Suh made five Pro Bowls, was named All-Pro three times and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

Saquon Barkley, RB, 2018 (Giants)

Barkley has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing five times with the Giants and Eagles. He became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards last season and was named the Offensive Player of the Year. He set records for rushing yards (2,504) and scrimmage yards (2,857) in a season, playoffs included, for the Super Bowl champion Eagles.

Barkley narrowly beat out San Francisco’s Nick Bosa on our list. The No. 2 pick in 2019, Bosa is a former Defensive Player of the Year.

WORST NO. 2s SINCE 2000

Zach Wilson, QB, 2021 (Jets)

This was an all-time bad pick. Wilson was a bust. The Jets thought he could be their franchise quarterback, and he’s been with three franchises in five years.

Wilson, selected behind No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, threw 23 touchdown passes in 34 games in three seasons with the Jets. He missed 17 games because of injuries or being benched because of poor play. Since the Jets traded him to Denver in 2024, Wilson has attempted 11 passes, all of them this season with Miami.

Charles Rogers, WR, 2003 (Lions)

A unanimous All-American at Michigan State and 2002 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top receiver, Rogers caught only 36 passes in 15 games over three seasons with Detroit. His career was derailed by injuries and substance abuse.

He was taken one spot ahead of receiver Andre Johnson, who made the Hall of Fame. Rogers died in 2019 of liver failure at 38 years old.  

Jason Smith, OT, Rams (2009)

Smith played only 45 NFL games (26 starts) in four seasons. He spent three years with the St. Louis Rams, who traded him to the Jets in 2012 for Wayne Hunter. Smith was a backup tackle that year and never caught on with another team.

Luke Joeckel, OT, Jaguars (2013)

He played five seasons and bounced around the offensive line. Joeckel played right tackle as a rookie before moving to left tackle and then guard his last two years for Jacksonville and Seattle. Stud Eagles tackle Lane Johnson was taken two spots later.

Greg Robinson, OT, Rams (2014)

Robinson played six years for the Rams, Lions and Browns. He also moved around on the line, beginning as a left tackle before switching to right tackle and then guard. Tackle Jake Matthews, a 12-year starter for Atlanta, was selected four picks later.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.