An Aaron Glenn Mirror? Grading the Rest of the Jets Draft Class

 

Photo Credit: Jasper Owens/Hoosier Huddle.

D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

The Jets addressed another serious need at cornerback in the second round with the selection of D'Angelo Ponds. He's another one, like Omar Cooper's game winning catch against Penn State, when I saw his highlights, I remembered seeing those particular plays, but didn't realize it was him at the time.

Listening to Louis Riddick's analysis and evaluation of him, he's sounds a lot like...Aaron Glenn. I'm not the only one who has made this observation. He can play any coverage, despite being undersized, plays bigger than he really is. That was Aaron Glenn when he played. It makes me wonder if Aaron saw himself in D'Angelo when he and Darren Mougey evaluated him.

Grade: A+

Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images.


Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State

With their first fourth round pick, they selected defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. They addressed defensive lineman depth with this pick. I see the potential; he looks like a run stopping 5 technique type of player, he just needs more polish and consistency.

Darrell brings youth to a defensive line group that's loaded with veterans who can show him the ropes. I like this pick; I thought it was a good move in terms of need.

Grade: B+

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images.

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

With their second fourth round pick, they selected Cade Klubnik. They needed a young quarterback, and the potential is there, being that he was considered a Heisman candidate heading into last season, but he regressed. There are some things to like about his game, and I think Frank Reich's offense suits his style of rhythmic, timing passing, and he lights up teams when given time.

The problem is he's not quite the same quarterback when under pressure. From what I saw, and reading scouting reports, he reminds me a little of Derek Carr, except Carr is more a gunslinger than an accurate, timing passer like Klubnik, and while Carr had some mobility, he wasn't a dual-threat like Klubnik. I thought this was the most questionable of Mougey's picks. While there is something there, I don't think he was worth giving up the third fourth round pick for. 

Grade: C

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Anez Cooper, G, Miami

As part of the package deal that was sent to the Cincinnati Bengals, swapping fourth round picks, giving up the aforementioned third fourth round pick, they received a sixth round pick that was used to draft Anez Cooper.

A mammoth of an offensive lineman (he's listed at 6-6, 334) he addresses offensive line depth that was needed. I think he needs to polish his overall technique, but once he gets his hands on you, it's over. I like the pick, but I think they could've addressed this with the third fourth round pick.

Grade: B+

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VJ Payne, Safety, Kansas State

Their final pick of their draft was VJ Payne. This is an interesting one. I'm intrigued by his speed and versatility in coverage. From my understanding, although he's a willing tackler, his physicality as a tackler could be better.

Seeing the struggles the Jets had in coverage last season, I look at this as possibly a steal. He brings something to the table to the defensive backfield that's seriously lacking. If his skill set can quickly translate to the next level, I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the final roster in September, and possibly become a starter.

Grade: A

Overall, I think it was a very good draft for the Jets. I loved the moves that were made on Day One and Day Two. Day Three was so-so, but I don't think it takes away from Darren Mougey's moves on the first two days. To draft two of the Top 10 prospects--well, I viewed Sadiq as Top 10 prospect--and be able to trade back into the first round without giving up a first round pick was impressive.

Personally, I would've kept those three fourth round picks, and traded away the two seventh rounds picks--which he did trade one of them--but what's done is done. I know it's all on paper right now, everything has to materialize on the field, but the possibilities have me looking forward to this season and beyond.

Overall Grade: A

Triple Threat: The Jets Draft David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr.

 

David Bailey. Photo Credit: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images.

With the second overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Jets selected edge rusher David Bailey from Texas Tech, and they weren't done. They entered Thursday night with two first round picks (the 2nd and 16th overall), and finished with a third first pick, acquiring the 30th overall pick from the San Francisco 49ers for a second and fifth round pick.

There was an ongoing debate throughout the pre-draft process over who was the better pass rusher and who the Jets would pick between David Bailey and Arvell Reese, who was eventually picked 5th overall by the New York Giants. There was, in my opinion, much ado about nothing as far as where the Jets were going with the pick when they cancelled their meeting Bailey recently. All of the questions and speculations have now been answered--well, as far as who's better between Bailey and Reese won't be determined until a few years from now.

With the selection of Bailey, the Jets get a much needed pass rusher, someone who can dominate and wreak havoc off the edge in the 3-4. From what I saw, I liked the effortless way he rushes the passer. I liked his pursuit against the run, and he didn't quit on plays. The only thing I would like to see more of is his ability to cover, which is something he will have to do from time to time in the 3-4.

Grade: A+

Photo Credit: Lindsey Wasson/AP Photos.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

With the 16th pick, the Jets selected tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who was considered by far the best tight end in the draft, and I agree. He's a tight end with the speed of a wide receiver; his rare combination of size and speed is going to be a problem at the next level.

I'm sure some might take issue with this pick because they already have Mason Taylor, but I'm loving the idea of the two of them as a tight end duo. They're going to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. If Kenyon continues to develop and take his skills to the next level, I can easily see them starting both guys.

The main thing I think he needs to work on is being more consistent as a blocker, and, just I said about Mason Taylor last year--except with Mason, I said he needs to be more physical as a blocker--that's an easy fix, it's just a matter of effort.

I said the same thing about him that I said about Brock Bowers a couple of years ago: if he goes to a team that knows how to use him, he's capable of eventually becoming an elite tight end like Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, Travis Kelce, Shannon Sharpe, etc. I think he's capable of becoming that type of talent.

Grade: A

 Credit: Icon Sportswire/Getty Images.


Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

When I thought they were done for the night, they traded back into the first round to get wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Considered an underrated prospect, he was one of Fernando Mendoza's many weapons, and was an integral part of the Hoosiers' success last season. 

While can play on the outside, most of his work was done in the slot. On a side note, it's funny how sometimes you can see a play, and not realize certain details about it until after the fact. For example, I remember watching the play where Mendoza threw the game winning touchdown pass against Penn State that Saturday afternoon late last year, but I didn't realize it was Cooper who caught the pass until they showed the play again last night after he was drafted.

This is another area where they seriously need help on the side of Garrett Wilson. Adoni Mitchell showed flashes last season, but they needed more depth at that position.

Grade: A+