With their lone selection on Night 2 of the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Jets selected Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds at pick No. 50 overall after trading back from pick 44.
While Ponds was largely used at boundary corner in college, due to his size at 5-foot-8 and 182 pounds, he has been viewed as a candidate to move into a slot role in the NFL.
Speaking to reporters after Friday night’s selection, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn addressed how the team will use Ponds.
“Well, he’s going to play slot, and he’s going to play on the outside,” Said Glenn. “So, we’ll be able to cross-train him in that aspect. He did it in college, so that’s nothing new to him.”
Last season, he logged just four snaps at slot corner compared to 479 on the boundary.
Ponds put together a strong 2025 campaign, finishing with 61 total tackles, 11 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two interceptions. He was also strong in coverage, posting an 89.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked seventh among 897 qualified FBS corners. Furthermore, he limited opposing quarterbacks to just a 42.0 passer rating when throwing in his direction.
Ultimately, the Jets needed to improve their cornerback room throughout the draft, and drafting someone like Ponds, who they will “cross-train,” makes a lot of sense.
Nothing will come easy for the Indiana product, though. With multiple players in the room capable of starting, every snap will be contested throughout the summer.
