Best draft picks in New York Jets history
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
