2026 NFL Draft Grades: New York Jets

These 2026 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Keep in mind that these NFL Draft Grades are based on team needs, player value, positional value, and any trade implications. Follow @walterfootball for updates.



New York Jets

NFL Draft Team Grade: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2026 NFL Draft: The Jets have holes everywhere. They need a franchise quarterback, but won’t have the chance to land one. They can at least set it up so that they have a friendlier environment for the one they draft in 2027. Interior line help and receivers are needed. The defense must be overhauled as well.

2026 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Unlike the Raiders, the Jets understood that they have to find weapons for their franchise quarterback, even if they don’t have one right now. They will eventually have one – I have them selecting Arch Manning in my 2027 NFL Mock Draft – and when they do, that signal-caller will be put into a great situation.

The Jets used their top pick on David Bailey to strengthen the defense, but they went to work on their skill players after that. They obtained nice values with Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper to complement Garrett Wilson. The Sadiq pick was panned by some clueless publications, but he’ll likely be a terrific intermediate threat for Manning or whichever quarterback the Jets land next year. Cooper was a nice find at the end of Round 1.

Following the Sadiq and Cooper selections, the Jets went back to focusing on their poor defense. They made a number of quality selections, with every single pick scoring a “B” or higher in the individual NFL Draft Grades page. These picks won’t make the Jets much better right away because they still have no quarterback, but the front office accomplished its goal of setting up its next franchise signal caller for success.



NFL Draft Individual Grades:


2. David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech – A Grade

David Bailey is the right pick. He is a proven edge rusher, while Arvell Reese is a one-year starter who happens to be a project because he has no natural position. Bailey will give the Jets a good chance to rattle Josh Allen and Drake Maye.


16. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon – A Grade

Multi-tight end formations have been en vogue lately, so this pick makes sense despite the Jets having a talented tight end in Mason Taylor. Kenyon Sadiq figures to be a great weapon for the Jets, who are starved for play-makers outside of Garrett Wilson. Arch Manning has to love this selection because he’s currently slotted to the Jets in our 2027 NFL Mock Draft.


30. Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana – A Grade

The Jets are giving Arch Manning quite the arsenal, selecting Omar Cooper after getting Kenyon Sadiq. They were starved for offensive firepower, and they may now have plenty of it. Cooper should be a big upgrade across from Garrett Wilson, and he provides with plenty of value because he easily could have gotten him in the 16-21 range.


50. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana – B Grade

D’Angelo Ponds has size issues, but if it wasn’t for those, he would’ve been a first-round pick. He was terrific at Indiana and has a good chance of being a big upgrade for a Jets secondary that lost Sauce Gardner.


103. Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State – B+ Grade

Darrell Jackson is a big nose tackle who can offer a bit of pass-rushing upside, and I thought there was a chance he’d go in the third round. This is a solid pick by the Jets, who have had issues stopping the run for a long time.


110. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson – B Grade

The Jets were screwed when Dante Moore decided to go back to college. They now have to tank for Arch Manning, but Cade Klubnik is a fine option here in case he ends up being a steal. I’m neutral on him, as he’s accurate but doesn’t have a strong arm.


188. Anez Cooper, G, Miami – B+ Grade

Anez Cooper is strong at the point of attack. He’s a stout run blocker. The Jets needed guard help entering the 2026 NFL Draft, and they found a solid prospect whom I mocked a round earlier.


228. V.J. Payne, S, Kansas State – A- Grade

V.J. Payne is a big safety who possesses great strength and some ability to play deep free safety. This has been a troubled position for a while, so the Jets did well to secure a prospect who could have gone earlier. I had Payne slotted near the end of Round 5.

2026 NFL Mock Draft | 2027 NFL Mock Draft






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Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/24)
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