Jets earn A+ draft grade
- The 2026 National Football League draft ended Saturday with the New York Jets drawing some of the strongest reviews after using three first-round picks on edge rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. - New York picked Bailey at No. 2, stayed at No. 16 for Sadiq, then traded back into Round 1 for Cooper before adding cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and quarterback Cade Klubnik on Day 2. - Undrafted signings began immediately after pick No. 257, extending the roster build beyond a class several outlets already ranked among the weekend’s best. (nfl.com)
The New York Jets left the 2026 National Football League draft with one of the league’s most praised classes after making three first-round picks in Pittsburgh. (usatoday.com) (nfl.com) General manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn opened at No. 2 with Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, then stayed at No. 16 for Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. (newyorkjets.com) (nfl.com) The Jets then traded back into the first round for Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30, giving them three Day 1 selections. Glenn said after the move, “when you have targets, you identify guys you like, you love, you go get them.” (nfl.com) (newyorkjets.com) Day 2 brought Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds at No. 50, then two Round 4 picks: Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. at No. 103 and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik at No. 110. (newyorkjets.com 1) (newyorkjets.com 2) The later rounds were shorter for New York, but not empty. The Jets added Miami guard Anez Cooper at No. 188 and Kansas State defensive back VJ Payne at No. 228. (newyorkjets.com) The strongest outside praise centered on how the class matched needs on both sides of the ball. USA Today ranked the Jets first among all 32 teams and gave the class an A+, while NFL.com’s Chad Reuter also placed New York among his highest-graded teams. (usatoday.com) (nfl.com) Sadiq’s profile helped drive that reaction. The Jets called him the top tight end in the class after a 2025 season at Oregon with 51 catches, 560 yards and eight touchdowns, plus a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. (newyorkjets.com) The quarterback pick added another layer to the weekend because the Jets already have veteran starter Geno Smith. Klubnik arrived in Round 4 rather than Round 1, giving New York a developmental passer without using premium draft capital. (newyorkjets.com 1) (newyorkjets.com 2) The draft did not end the roster build. NFL.com’s undrafted tracker listed the Jets adding at least three rookie free agents by Sunday morning: wide receiver Caullin Lacy, defensive tackle Sheffield and linebacker Kendrick Blackshire. (nfl.com) For a franchise starting a new regime under Mougey and Glenn, the first draft weekend produced volume, premium picks and unusually strong consensus praise. The next test starts with rookie minicamp, when the grades give way to reps. (usatoday.com) (nfl.com)
