Jets’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick

The New York Jets were in an interesting place coming into the 2026 NFL Draft. They had the second overall pick and a drastic need for a long-term quarterback. However, this was viewed as somewhat of a one-quarterback draft class, and everybody knew Fernando Mendoza was going to go first overall.

After a massive fire sale over the last year, though, New York had plenty of holes all over the roster. They also had tons of draft picks to fill them. Most fans and draft experts think they hit the mark with one of the best draft performances of the year. They even got a draft grade of an A from ClutchPoints’ Tim Crean. So, did the Jets do as well as people are giving them credit for? Here are the draft grades for each of the Jets’ picks in 2026.

Round 1, Pick 2: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Grade: B+

With Mendoza off the board when the Jets were up at pick two, the team had their pick of the litter between David Bailey, the class’s best pure pass rusher, and Arvell Reese, an off-ball linebacker/edge rusher hybrid with tons of athletic potential. They decided on Bailey, which makes a lot of sense because he just racked up a nation-leading 14.5 sacks. Bailey can get after the quarterback in a variety of ways and instantly improves the outlook of New York’s defense. Reese might have been the flashier pick, but Bailey was arguably the safer selection, and rebuilding teams can’t afford to mess up draft picks near the top of the board. Bailey’s lack of run defense prevents an A grade here, though.

Round 1, Pick 16: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Grade: A-

Not only did the Jets secure arguably the best edge rusher in this draft, but they also added the best tight end. Kenyon Sadiq is fresh off breaking the 40-yard dash record at the Scouting Combine for players at his position, and the speed he brings will really help whomever eventually ends up as the team’s franchise quarterback. For now, he will be both the ultimate security blanket for Geno Smith and a player who can make big plays happen.

Round 1, pick 30: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Grade: B+

The Jets walked away from the draft with three first-round selections. Two of them are pass catchers, so assuming that the team pursues one of the top quarterbacks at the top of 2027 class, they will immediately have weapons to work with. Omar Cooper was the team’s 30th overall selection. He is a pure slot receiver who should rack up receptions at the next level.

Round 2, Pick 50: CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

Grade: A-

Indiana is fresh off one of the best seasons in college football history. They not only won the national championship, but they also joined the 1894 Yale Bulldogs as the only 16-0 teams ever. The Jets wanted to add this championship pedigree and took two Hoosiers with their first four picks. D’Angelo Ponds doesn’t have ideal size, as he is just 5-foot-8, 182 pounds, but he is the ultimate playmaker. The cornerback regularly gets his hands on the football, and when he secures interceptions, he has a chance to take it all the way back for six points. In a thin cornerback class, the Jets did well to get one of the better players at the position. Had Ponds been a little bit bigger, he almost surely would have been a first-round pick.

Round 4, Pick 103: DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State

Grade: B+

Character concerns and a disappointing pre-draft process led to Darrell Jackson Jr. falling to the fourth round, but the Florida State defensive tackle is a great talent. He can both clog running lanes and create interior pressure on passing plays. Jackson thrived at numerous stops in college, and he should continue finding success at the NFL level.

Round 4, Pick 110: QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson

Grade: A

The 110th pick certainly won’t prevent the Jets from having their eyes on Arch Manning or Dante Moore next year. However, adding a young gunslinger like Cade Klubnik made sense. Smith is a mere bridge quarterback, and if the Jets don’t win games early on, they can turn to Klubnik to see if he has anything to offer as an NFL quarterback. Coming into the 2025 NCAA season, Klubnik was viewed as a potential top-five pick. He had a down season that caused him to drop down draft boards, but he is mechanically sound, uber-accurate, and has solid football IQ. In all likelihood, Klubnik’s lack of physical traits will result in him just being a career backup, but if any quarterback from this class were to outplay their draft status, it would be the Clemson signal caller.

Round 6, Pick 188: OG Anez Cooper, Miami

Grade: B

Anez Cooper is a mountain of a man. The 6-foot-5, 334-pounder is more known for his pass blocking than his run blocking. He didn’t allow Carson Beck to be sacked once last year. At that size, the hope is he can become a mauler in the running game, too. Cooper lacks agility, but sometimes pure strength wins in the trenches.

Round 7, Pick 228: S VJ Payne, Kansas State

Grade: B+

The Jets have been desperate for secondary help since they traded Sauce Gardner. VJ Payne is a versatile player who can play nickel cornerback, safety, or even line up as an outside corner. Payne’s numbers didn’t pop off the board in college, but he has a number of routes to immediate playing time despite being a seventh-round pick.

Jets overall draft grade

Grade: A+

The Jets added three first-round prospects, all of whom they expect to become stars. They also filled holes all around their roster later in the draft. There were no misses in this class, and not only is New York’s future outlook much better, but they may even win more games as soon as next season. The only problem with such a loaded draft class is that the team could play itself out of the Manning/Moore sweepstakes.

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