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Considering that the New York Jets played a ghastly brand of football and won just three of 17 games last season, it’s not surprising that there will be opportunities for members of their latest Draft Class to make an immediate impact in 2026.
The Jets made eight picks in this year’s draft, including three in the first round and four of the first 50 selections overall. Each of those first four draft picks are expected to play key roles when the Jets open training camp July 28. Another rookie is in the thick of the backup quarterback battle this summer.
Let’s take a closer look at these five rookies set for key roles at Jets training camp.
Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The most obvious choice to top this list is edge rusher David Bailey, whom the Jets selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft. The Jets believe he’s ready to impact their defense immediately as a stud pas rusher, after making 14.5 sacks at Texas Tech last season. He’s 6-foot-3, 251 pounds, ran a 4.5 40 at the combine, and is as strong as he’s quick, simply a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman. The Jets weren’t good at getting to the quarterback last season, but now have Bailey in the mix along with 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV and Joseph Ossai, a key free agent signee this offseason, coming off the edge. That’s a pretty solid group on paper, and could be much more than that if Bailey is as much of a force as expected. One thing to watch in training camp and the preseason is how Bailey looks against the run, something that could affect his snap count once the regular season begins.
John Jones-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Even though the Jets selected tight end Mason Taylor in the second round of the 2025 draft and like where the second-year pro is headed, they doubled down to pick Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16 overall in the first round this year. Sadiq is a unicorn — expect him to line up solo at tight end, in double tight-end sets, at wide receiver, and perhaps even in the backfield at times. He’s also a freakishly athletic player, who clocked a 4.39 40 and had a 43.5 inch vertical jump at the combine. He’s big (6-foot-3, 241 pounds) and can block, too. But Sadiq has much to prove. Last year at Oregon, he caught 51 passes for 560 yards. Nice numbers, but not necessarily elite, though he did have eight touchdown receptions. Sadiq also missed OTAs following hernia surgery, though was at minicamp and is good to go next week for the start of full training camp. Let’s see how ready he is once the season begins. The Jets will monitor Sadiq closely these next six weeks.
Jess Stiles-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Jets traded back into the first round to select Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30 overall. Cooper was the fifth wide receiver selected in this year’s draft, after he helped Indiana win the National Championship by hauling in 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. At 6-feet and 199 pounds, Cooper played primarily in the slot a year ago, though he did average a conference-leading 21.2 yards per catch in the Big-10 back in 2024 when he most often split out wide. That’s versatility and skill the Jets want to tap into. He should be a nice complement to star receiver Garrett Wilson and the up-and-coming Adonai Mitchell. The Jets need to see consistency from Cooper in camp and the preseason, though a significant role is there for him, likely right away in Week 1.
It’s not so surprising that Jets coach Aaron Glenn, once an undersized defensive back who became an All-Pro in the NFL, loves D’Angelo Ponds. The Jets selected the 5-foot-8 corner in the second round, No. 50 overall, with full expectation that he’ll battle for a starting role on the defense. Ponds also helped Indiana win the National Championship last season, and led the Big-10 with 11 passes defended. He’s aggressive, confident, quick, and has good ball skills. Sounds a lot like his coach. Ponds may eventually end up as one of the starting corners, but it appears his best fit to start his career is at the nickel. So, he’ll battle Jarvis Bownlee for that spot, and also contend with Nahshon Wright and Azareye’h Thomas for a chance to start at corner opposite veteran Brandon Stephens.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Let’s start here: the Jets have a veteran No. 1 quarterback in Geno Smith. There is no QB competition nor controversy here. Geno’s the guy. But if you follow the Jets closely, you know that it’s extremely rare for their top QB to ever make it through a full season unscathed. So, that makes the backup quarterback role so important heading into training camp this summer. Enter Cade Klubnik, whom the Jets traded up to snag in the fourth round with the No. 110 overall pick. Projected to be a first-rounder before a disastrous senior season at Clemson dashed that plan, Klubnik impressed at rookie camp and OTAs, winning over teammates with his big personality, confidence, work ethic, and strong right arm. But a back issue knocked him out of OTAs and all of minicamp, a setback following a string of injuries last year at Clemson. Let’s see how he plays in camp, battling Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook for the opportunity to be No. 2 behind Smith.
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The Jets made eight picks in this year’s draft, including three in the first round and four of the first 50 selections overall. Each of those first four draft picks are expected to play key roles when the Jets open training camp July 28. Another rookie is in the thick of the backup quarterback battle this summer.
Let’s take a closer look at these five rookies set for key roles at Jets training camp.
David Bailey — EDGE
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Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The most obvious choice to top this list is edge rusher David Bailey, whom the Jets selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft. The Jets believe he’s ready to impact their defense immediately as a stud pas rusher, after making 14.5 sacks at Texas Tech last season. He’s 6-foot-3, 251 pounds, ran a 4.5 40 at the combine, and is as strong as he’s quick, simply a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman. The Jets weren’t good at getting to the quarterback last season, but now have Bailey in the mix along with 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV and Joseph Ossai, a key free agent signee this offseason, coming off the edge. That’s a pretty solid group on paper, and could be much more than that if Bailey is as much of a force as expected. One thing to watch in training camp and the preseason is how Bailey looks against the run, something that could affect his snap count once the regular season begins.
Kenyon Sadiq — TE
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John Jones-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Even though the Jets selected tight end Mason Taylor in the second round of the 2025 draft and like where the second-year pro is headed, they doubled down to pick Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16 overall in the first round this year. Sadiq is a unicorn — expect him to line up solo at tight end, in double tight-end sets, at wide receiver, and perhaps even in the backfield at times. He’s also a freakishly athletic player, who clocked a 4.39 40 and had a 43.5 inch vertical jump at the combine. He’s big (6-foot-3, 241 pounds) and can block, too. But Sadiq has much to prove. Last year at Oregon, he caught 51 passes for 560 yards. Nice numbers, but not necessarily elite, though he did have eight touchdown receptions. Sadiq also missed OTAs following hernia surgery, though was at minicamp and is good to go next week for the start of full training camp. Let’s see how ready he is once the season begins. The Jets will monitor Sadiq closely these next six weeks.
Omar Cooper Jr. — WR
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Jess Stiles-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Jets traded back into the first round to select Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30 overall. Cooper was the fifth wide receiver selected in this year’s draft, after he helped Indiana win the National Championship by hauling in 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. At 6-feet and 199 pounds, Cooper played primarily in the slot a year ago, though he did average a conference-leading 21.2 yards per catch in the Big-10 back in 2024 when he most often split out wide. That’s versatility and skill the Jets want to tap into. He should be a nice complement to star receiver Garrett Wilson and the up-and-coming Adonai Mitchell. The Jets need to see consistency from Cooper in camp and the preseason, though a significant role is there for him, likely right away in Week 1.
D’Angelo Ponds — CB
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It’s not so surprising that Jets coach Aaron Glenn, once an undersized defensive back who became an All-Pro in the NFL, loves D’Angelo Ponds. The Jets selected the 5-foot-8 corner in the second round, No. 50 overall, with full expectation that he’ll battle for a starting role on the defense. Ponds also helped Indiana win the National Championship last season, and led the Big-10 with 11 passes defended. He’s aggressive, confident, quick, and has good ball skills. Sounds a lot like his coach. Ponds may eventually end up as one of the starting corners, but it appears his best fit to start his career is at the nickel. So, he’ll battle Jarvis Bownlee for that spot, and also contend with Nahshon Wright and Azareye’h Thomas for a chance to start at corner opposite veteran Brandon Stephens.
Cade Klubnik — QB
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Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Let’s start here: the Jets have a veteran No. 1 quarterback in Geno Smith. There is no QB competition nor controversy here. Geno’s the guy. But if you follow the Jets closely, you know that it’s extremely rare for their top QB to ever make it through a full season unscathed. So, that makes the backup quarterback role so important heading into training camp this summer. Enter Cade Klubnik, whom the Jets traded up to snag in the fourth round with the No. 110 overall pick. Projected to be a first-rounder before a disastrous senior season at Clemson dashed that plan, Klubnik impressed at rookie camp and OTAs, winning over teammates with his big personality, confidence, work ethic, and strong right arm. But a back issue knocked him out of OTAs and all of minicamp, a setback following a string of injuries last year at Clemson. Let’s see how he plays in camp, battling Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook for the opportunity to be No. 2 behind Smith.
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