2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Sleepers for New York Jets: The Case for Ted Hurst, Taurean York, Jaydn Ott

The New York Jets' long-standing failure to develop day three NFL draft picks is a critical weakness in their roster-building strategy, and this episode argues that the team must start finding 'diamonds in the rough' in rounds four through seven. Host Don B from gangreennation.com highlights three under-the-radar prospects who, despite red flags, offer intriguing profiles for the Jets: wide receiver Ted Hurst (Georgia State), linebacker Taurean York (Texas A&M), and running back Jaydn Ott (Oklahoma). Hurst, a 6'4" physical specimen with elite combine numbers, is a small-school prospect whose film suggests advanced route-running nuance despite questions about his production level. York, undersized at 5'11", 226 pounds, compensates with elite football IQ, positioning, and coverage savvy—traits that could allow him to thrive as a cerebral linebacker despite his lack of size. Ott, once a projected early-round talent at Cal, regressed after transferring to Oklahoma due to injury and depth-chart issues, but his peak college film shows a dynamic, pass-catching back with elite tools. The episode stresses that day three picks rarely become stars, but even one breakout player can justify the gamble. The Jets, with four picks in the top 44, need to prioritize developing role players and backups—especially at linebacker, where Demario Davis is aging and Jamie and Sherwood’s future is uncertain. The key insight?