Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in New York Jets history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.
#10. Mark Gastineau (1979, Round 2, Pick 41)
– Position: DE
– Career wAV: 84
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 3
– Games Played: 137
– Seasons as Starter: 7
#8. Mo Lewis (1991, Round 3, Pick 63) (tie)
– Position: LB
– Career wAV: 90
– Pro Bowls: 3
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 200
– Seasons as Starter: 13
#8. John Riggins (1971, Round 1, Pick 6) (tie)
– Position: RB
– Career wAV: 90
– Pro Bowls: 1
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 175
– Seasons as Starter: 12
#7. John Abraham (2000, Round 1, Pick 13)
– Position: DE
– Career wAV: 91
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 2
– Games Played: 192
– Seasons as Starter: 11
#6. Larry Grantham (1960, Round , Pick )
– Position: LB
– Career wAV: 92
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 175
– Seasons as Starter: 13
#5. Darrelle Revis (2007, Round 1, Pick 14)
– Position: DB
– Career wAV: 93
– Pro Bowls: 7
– First-Team All-Pro: 4
– Games Played: 145
– Seasons as Starter: 9
#4. Joe Namath (1965, Round 1, Pick 2)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 94
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 140
– Seasons as Starter: 9
#3. James Farrior (1997, Round 1, Pick 8)
– Position: LB
– Career wAV: 95
– Pro Bowls: 2
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 230
– Seasons as Starter: 12
#2. Demario Davis (2012, Round 3, Pick 77)
– Position: LB
– Career wAV: 104
– Pro Bowls: 2
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 227
– Seasons as Starter: 13
#1. Herb Adderley (1961, Round 2, Pick 10)
– Position: DB
– Career wAV: 106
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 164
– Seasons as Starter: 11
