Power rankings in May are essentially football’s version of organized guesswork, but that doesn’t make them any less entertaining. With the NFL schedule officially released, FOX Sports rolled out its latest league hierarchy, and the New York Jets landed in an uncomfortable spot near the bottom.
At No. 29 overall, the Jets found themselves ahead of only the Las Vegas Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, and the Arizona Cardinals. That’s not exactly the kind of company a franchise hoping to turn a corner wants to keep, especially after an offseason that has generated at least some cautious optimism.
Now that the full 2026 NFL schedule is out, here are @RalphVacchiano‘s final Power Rankings of the offseason ⬆️⬇️
Read more: https://t.co/NNiA3N1YLvpic.twitter.com/LdHkfrHTj9
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) May 17, 2026
Hope exists for the Jets, but so do real questions
The placement speaks to a broader reality surrounding the Jets. While there have been changes worth noting, there’s still a meaningful gap between intriguing offseason headlines and proven on-field confidence. The Jets deserve credit for attempting to reshape the narrative. Hiring Frank Reich as offensive coordinator brings experience and a fresh perspective to a unit desperately in need of consistency.
The front office has also continued making moves designed to create the belief that the organization is finally heading somewhere productive, but belief has its limits. Geno Smith brings familiarity and veteran competence, but not necessarily certainty. He can stabilize stretches of play, yet few around the league are likely viewing him as the answer capable of elevating New York into serious contention.
Drafting Cade Klubnik adds intrigue for the future, though rookie quarterbacks rarely provide immediate reassurance, particularly when expectations are already shaky.
So yes, the Jets may feel better about where they are than they did months ago. That matters internally. Externally, however, skepticism remains the dominant viewpoint.
Could the Jets outperform a No. 29 ranking? Absolutely. That’s what makes offseason projections fun to debate. But until optimism turns into consistent execution, rankings like this will continue to reflect possibility rather than belief.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: NFL power rankings: Where do the Jets rank in post-draft poll?