The 2026 NFL draft is over, and it feels like the New York Jets crushed it on each day. At times, they let the board come to them, and when they loved a player, they did what they needed to do to get them.

As a collective, the 2026 class looks very impressive for New York. But not every pick should be celebrated the same.

Today, we grade each individual draft pick based on the team’s need, the circumstances that allowed each player to get to the Jets, and the potential of being a long-term contributor.

Round 1, Pick 2: EDGE David Bailey – A

The pick at No. 2 was between Bailey and Avrell Reese. Nobody else was in the conversation.

The Jets chose to draft production over potential, choosing the player with the most sacks and the highest pressure rate in college football season.

He won’t be expected to be Lawrence Taylor right away, but the upside from Bailey is tremendous, and he should make an immediate impact as the top non-quarterback taken in the 2026 draft.

Round 1, Pick 16: TE Kenyon Sadiq – B

From a pure weapons standpoint, the Jets valued Sadiq more than they did USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.

Still, it’s hard to fathom a team drafting a tight end in the first two rounds in back-to-back years. It’s something the Las Vegas Raiders notoriously did from 2023 to 2024, and they are not the kind of team New York wants to be mentioned alongside.

However, Sadiq’s overall athleticism and versatility do not make him a true tight end. In the modern NFL, the league’s best offenses are attacking with 12 personnel, and the Oregon product’s skill set will pair nicely with Mason Taylor’s.

It is easy to understand what the Jets are envisioning with this pick, but it is certainly one that will leave fans concerned if he doesn’t produce right away.

Round 1, Pick 30: WR Omar Cooper Jr – A

I loved the trade up back into the first round to take Cooper. New York needs a receiver who can command respect opposite Garrett Wilson, and the Indiana prospect certainly does that.

Cooper offers sure hands, a physical nature to his game, and the kind of route-running that will make him a problem in the NFL. The trade to acquire him (and add a fifth-year option to his contract) was a great deal that did not cost any meaningful capital.

Round 2, Pick 50: CB D’Angelo Ponds – A-

Almost every college wide receiver who played Indiana says that the hardest corner they faced was Ponds. Not only did the Jets draft a corner with that type of reputation, but they were able to acquire an additional fourth-round pick in a trade down, which is simply incredible asset management by the Jets.

Do I think he’ll be able to play on the outside? No. But slot corners are incredibly important in today’s NFL.

Ponds can be an immediate contributor this season.

Round 4, Pick 103: DT Darrell Jackson Jr – B+

I really liked the Jackson pick at 103 to kick off the fourth round. Jackson is a true nose tackle who will provide competition with T’Vondre Sweat in camp. Even if he does not win the job, he projects as the type of player who can instantly provide quality depth.

Many Jets fans were upset that the team didn’t address the linebacker position in the draft, but the key to unlocking linebacker play is getting push from the interior linemen. That’s what makes Jackson such an important draft pick.

Round 4, Pick 110: QB Cade Klubnik – C+

I had no issue with the Jets moving up to get the quarterback they wanted, even if it was Cade Klubnik out of Clemson, and even if it cost them two of their three fourth-round picks (with a sixth-rounder coming back).

So why did I give the grade a C+? Well, just because I have no issue with what the Jets did and understand the importance of a backup quarterback on a rookie contract, two fourth-round picks are still a steep price.

It is clear that New York was worried another team was going to take the Clemson product, so moving up makes sense in that regard. But it’s still a hefty price for a player who may not see the field at all this year.

Still, it is not enough to get bent out of shape over.

Round 6, Pick 188: OG Anez Cooper – B-

I thought the Jets should have targeted Duke center Brian Parker II, who went to Cincinnati with the following pick, but they elected for the guard in Cooper. Although center is the Jets’ bigger need, Cooper likely won’t be moving inside.

The Jets traded up for Cooper, so they clearly liked his upside as part of a very good Miami Hurricanes offensive line. They needed better depth on the interior, with Xavier Newman and Marquis Hayes leading the group.

Round 7, Pick 228: S VJ Payne – B+

I loved the Payne pick. Many draft pundits believed he was going to go in the fourth or fifth round, and the Jets were able to get him in the seventh. The Kansas State product will be playing mostly on special teams, but clearly has potential as a physical player.

Overall Grade: B+

I like to think I’m a tough grader when it comes to the Jets’ overall draft class. That said, this was one of the better hauls in the NFL, due to the fact that New York is coming away with at least four potential starters from this group.

They stumbled a bit in terms of overall value on Day 3, but this is one of the better classes we’ve seen from Gang Green in recent years.

It might just be the group that kickstarts a new level of Jets football.