After the New York Jets drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, it felt like the day was done for the organization.
Not so fast.
New York traded up to the 30th overall pick with the San Francisco 49ers to select Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. The Hoosier product recorded 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in his final season for the national champions, adding 74 rushing yards and a touchdown. He bolsters a receiver room that was dead last in the league last year in yards and touchdowns.
To move back into the first round, the Jets gave up the 33rd (second round) and 179th (fifth round) overall picks.
The Jets walked into the draft with four draft picks in the first 44 overall selections. They will still have their 44th overall pick going into Day 2, but didn’t want to wait until the 33rd overall pick in order to get a wide receiver.
Instead, they come away with two pass catchers who are plug-and-play starters, as well as one of the best edge rushers in the draft.
Coming out of the first round, the Jets have selected the following players:
- Round 1, Pick 2: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
- Round 1, Pick 16: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
- Round 1, Pick 30: Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
After trading the 33rd pick, the Jets now own just one pick on Day 2, slotted at No. 44 overall. But it’s a price the Jets will happily pay to snag a much-needed young weapon for their depleted receiver room around Garrett Wilson.
