Charlie Campbell
Solid Starter
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon – Round 1 
After taking tight end Mason Taylor in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jets were not a team that was projected to take Sadiq in the first round. However, Sadiq was too good and dynamic to pass up for New York at pick 16. With Taylor and Sadiq, the Jets have an ultra-talented tight end combo, and they are going to be very dangerous in 12 personnel.
As a receiver, Sadiq is a mismatch asset for his offense. He is a fast route runner with fluid athleticism to get open in the middle of the field. Sadiq has the speed to get down the seam and accelerate to find soft spots in zone coverage. With excellent body control and agility, Sadiq makes difficult catches using his body to box out defensive backs and make leaping grabs over them. Sadiq is a true mismatch weapon as he is too fast and athletic for linebackers; he will burn them in man coverage. Sadiq is also too big for defensive backs with his ability to make catches over them. Sadiq is a dangerous run-after-the-catch tight end as well, with good moves to dodge tacklers along with size to finish his plays well.
As a blocker, Sadiq is better than one would think from the eyeball test. Many receiving tight ends don’t like blocking, but Sadiq blocks his tail off. He will fight, hit, and scrap with defenders through the whistle. He will look to finish defenders when given the chance. Many pro coaches just want their tight ends to give an effort and get a draw, and Sadiq can do that. A tight end has to be able to help in pass protection and block the c-gap to be a true three-down starter, and Sadiq has the ability to do it. Given his size, he will always have some limitations taking on NFL defensive ends, but Sadiq fights hard, and that’s half the battle for a tight end.
The Jets have built up an excellent group of young talents on offense at the skill positions and along the offensive line. Veteran quarterback Geno Smith could have a nice season distributing the ball to these weapons, and early in his pro career, I think Sadiq is going to emerge as a solid starter for New York.
2025: Armand Membou, OT
2024: Olu Fashanu, OT
2023: Joe Tippman, C
2022: Brecee Hall, RB
2021: Elijah Moore, WR
2020: Jabari Zuniga, DE
2019: Jachai Polite, DE
2018: Nathan Shepard, DT
2017: Jamal Adams, S
2016: Darron Lee, LB
2015: Devin Smith, WR
2014: Calvin Pryor, S
2013: Dee Milliner, CB
Most Likely To Bust
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana – Round 1 
A lot of teams had Cooper graded on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft, and of the Jets’ early-round picks, I think he has the most bust potential. There are some deficiencies that keep Cooper from being a true No. 1. He has a quality skill set, but lacks special size and does not have elite speed. I think he is a well-rounded, polished receiver in college, but I am not sure he has a dominant trait that is going to consistently get the better of NFL defensive backs. He is not great on contested catches, and he has a tendency to body catch some passes that he could use his hands for.
All of a sudden, the Jets have a lot of weapons on offense. Of course, they are going to feature running back Breece Hall and No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson. I could see other weapons like tight ends Kenyon Sadiq and Mason Taylor getting steady targets, along with their other starting outside receiver in A.D. Mitchell. Thus, I could see Cooper not getting as many opportunities and not providing the kind of production that is expected out of first-round picks. Of their early-round selections, I think Cooper has the highest likelihood of disappointing.
2025: Arian Smith, WR
2024: None
2023: None
2022: Jermaine Johnson, DE
2021: Zach Wilson, QB
2020: Ashtyn Davis, S
2019: Chuma Edoga, OT
2018: Chris Herndon, TE
2017: Chad Hanson, WR
2016: Jordan Jenkins, LB
2015: Bryce Petty, QB
2014: Dexter McDougle, CB
2013: Geno Smith, QB
Potential Boom Pick
David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech – Round 1 
The Jets traded Jermaine Johnson in the offseason, and that opened up a need for an edge rusher across from Will McDonald. McDonald has turned into a dynamic quarterback hunter, and he is poised to see a lot of blocking attention next season. With T’Vondre Sweat causing some disruption from the inside, David Bailey could hit the ground running in the NFL. I would not be surprised if he provides an immediate impact and puts up good production as soon as his rookie season.
For the NFL, Bailey is a lightning-fast edge rusher with devastating speed around the edge. Bailey has tremendous first-step quickness, and he explodes off the ball. Bailey can fly upfield and blow by offensive tackles even when they know his speed rush is coming. Bailey shows a variety of pass-rushing moves as he has an excellent spin move, darts to the inside, and has some functional power. Bailey shows impressive speed to power rushes and has upper-body strength to get a bull rush as a change-up on offensive tackles. The bull rush and the speed to power take tackles by surprise, and that makes Bailey a tough rusher to defend. Along with being fast off the ball, Bailey has easy acceleration to eat up ground in a blur. He is a dynamic pursuit defender and a true speed rusher quarterback hunter.
As a run defender, Bailey has some natural issues given his size. Bailey fights and competes in the ground game nicely on some plays, but he has limitations for the NFL with his lack of weight and length. Bailey could have problems holding up against downhill runs coming straight at him for four quarters with offensive tackles that weigh 50-80 pounds more than him, pounding on him all game. Bailey will need to be rotated as a run defender, but in the ground game, he is good in pursuit and shows his speed to chase. With the Jets planning on going to more 3-4 looks, that set could help Bailey with five technique ends occupying offensive tackles to help reduce Bailey taking on tackles in the ground game.
The Jets have good talent around Bailey, and he should see plenty of single-block opportunities with McDonald drawing attention on the other side. I think Bailey could be a boom pick for the Jets and produce good sack numbers as soon as his rookie season.
2025: Mason Taylor, TE
2024: None
2023: Will McDonald, DE
2022: Sauce Gardner, CB
2021: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G
2020: Mekhi Becton, OT
2019: Quinnen Williams, DT
2018: Sam Darnold, QB
2017: Marcus Maye, S
2016: Christian Hackenberg, QB
2015: Leonard Williams, DE
2014: Jace Amaro, TE
2013: Sheldon Richardson, DT
Future Depth Player
Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State – Round 4 
Many thought Jackson could go on day two, but he slid to the fourth round. After trading for T’Vondre Sweat, New York has a starting nose tackle who has a ton of upside and talent. However, Sweat has had issues with his weight and stamina, so Jackson could earn significant snaps as a rotational backup used to help keep Sweat fresh. Jackson also has the length to be able to contribute as a five-technique end in a 3-4 set. Jackson may not become a three-down starter, but I think he could be good depth and contribute as a rotational backup.
2025: Malachi Moore, S
2024: Braelon Allen, RB
2023: Carter Warren, OT
2022: Max Mitchell, OT
2021: Michael Carter, RB
2020: La’Mical Perine, RB
2019: Blessaun Austin, CB
2018: Parry Nickerson, CB
2017: Jordan Leggett, TE
2016: Charone Peak, WR
2015: Jarvis Harrison, G
2014: Tajh Boyd, QB
2013: Brian Winters, G
Walt
