The time for mock drafting is over. The time for action is now.
The Jets enter the 2026 NFL Draft with nine picks — four of them in the first two rounds.
That should help restock the cabinets for a Gang Green franchise that’s aching to be a winner again.
The Jets’ draft kicks off early on Friday, with picks No. 2 and 16 in the first round.
Here’s a full list of the Jets’ draft picks entering the weekend — and what they’ve done with them.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey speaks to the media in Florham Park. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Round 1
Pick No. 2 – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
6-foot-4, 251 pounds
The Jets picked production over potential by taking Bailey, who had 14 ½ sacks last season, over Arvell Reese, who is thought to have the higher ceiling but is more of a projection. Bailey is lightning quick off the edge and can bolster a pass rush that only produced 26 sacks last year.
David Bailey of Texas Tech celebrates after being selected second overall pick by the New York Jets during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty ImagesPick No. 16 – Via IND – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
6-foot-3, 241 pounds
The Jets were expected to take a receiver at this spot and they did … sort of. They took Sadiq, who is listed as a tight end but plays like a receiver. Frank Reich will be able to split Sadiq out from the formation and give Geno Smith a weapon to use. Sadiq had 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns last year for the Ducks.
Pick No. 30 – Via SF – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
6-foot, 199 pounds
The Jets traded back into the first round to get their wide receiver. Cooper had 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns for the national champion Hoosiers last year. He has good ball skills and can run after the catch and can complement Garrett Wilson.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) against the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectRound 2
Pick No. 50 – Via DET – D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
5-foot-9, 182 pounds
You knew the Jets would have to address their secondary after having zero interceptions last season. They took Pounds, who is undersized but known as a sure tackler and a hard hitter. He knocked Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson out of the Rose Bowl with a cracked rib.
Hoosiers defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (5) catches a pass during NFL Pro Day. SOPA Images/LightRocket via GettRound 4
Pick No. 103 – Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State
6-foot-6, 315 pounds
Jackson is a massive man who only began playing football as a junior in high school, so he is still growing as a player. He is the nephew of Dexter Jackson, who was the Super Bowl MVP with the Buccaneers. Jackson was not dominant, but flashed as a player, and you can’t coach size, which is something he has.
Pick No. 110 – Via CIN – Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
6-foot-2, 207 pounds
We expected the Jets to take a quarterback on Day 3 of the Draft, but no one expected it to be Klubnik. The former No. 1 high school quarterback had an up-and-down college career for the Tigers that finished with a disappointing 2025 season when his touchdown passes dropped from 36 the year before to 16.
Round 6
Pick No. 188 – Via SEA – Anez Cooper, OG, Miami
6-foot-6, 342 pounds
The Jets addressed the offensive line in the sixth round by taking Cooper, who was second-team All-ACC for the Hurricanes last year. The Jets needed to add depth on the interior of their line and Cooper provides that.
Round 7
Pick No. 228 – Via DAL/BUF/LV – No. 228: V.J. Payne S, Kansas State
6-foot-3, 206 pounds
Payne was a three-year starter for the Wildcats and was a team captain. He had four career interceptions and can play all over the secondary as a free safety, strong safety or big nickel. He likely will be a special teams player to start with the Jets.
