The Jets walked out of the 2026 NFL Draft with a haul that turned heads, and training camp is already starting to sort the real value from the hype.
With four picks in the first two rounds, New York added players the team believes can help right away and others who are more about the long game. Through the early stretch of camp, some of those bets are paying off. Others haven’t had the chance to do much of anything.
David Bailey has been the clearest win so far. The No. 2 overall pick entered camp with less buzz than you might expect for the top defensive player in the class, but he’s been making that noise on the field instead.
At a practice last Thursday, the New York Daily News’ Antwan Staley said Bailey was a force, racking up three sacks that should have counted. For a player labeled a “win-now” piece, that’s exactly the kind of start the Jets wanted to see.
Darrell Jackson Jr. has also made a strong early case. With T'Vondre Sweat on the NFI list, Jackson has picked up extra reps and used them well. NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers noted that the rookie “has flashed raw power” and could force his way into a Jets defensive line rotation that already looks pretty deep.
Omar Cooper Jr. is another rookie helping himself. He came into camp projected as the Jets’ fifth or sixth receiver, behind Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Sadiq, and Mason Taylor, but he’s still finding ways to matter.
On Monday, he made one of the more eye-catching grabs of camp, hauling in a high pass from Geno Smith along the sideline in pouring rain. He’s also reportedly been a reliable safety valve underneath for Smith and the rest of the quarterbacks.
His exact role this season is still unclear, but the signs are pointing in the right direction for the reigning national champion.
Cade Klubnik’s camp has drawn plenty of attention too, even though he was only a fourth-round pick. He’s the only young quarterback on the roster Jets fans haven’t already seen on the field yet, and the team clearly wants him to seize the opening in front of him.
Klubnik is trying to beat out Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook for the backup job behind Geno Smith. The early reviews have been mixed, which is about what you’d expect at this stage, and the competition is still very much alive.
Not every rookie has had that kind of runway. Kenyon Sadiq, the 16th overall pick, flashed early in rookie minicamp and the opening stretch of camp, but he’s now set to miss the rest of the offseason after minor hernia surgery. The hope is that he’ll be ready for Week 1, but for now the excitement around his arrival has been put on hold.
D'Angelo Ponds is in a similar spot. He has yet to take part in a training camp practice while recovering from a calf strain, which is a tough break for a player many believed could win the nickel cornerback job right away.
Aaron Glenn’s latest update suggested Ponds should be back sooner rather than later, and the Jets are surely hoping that’s true. He may be one of the most talented defenders on the roster, but the missed time matters.
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Will McDonalds future with the Jets is already being viewed through a practical lens, and not just because of what he brings off the edge. New York has been cautious about committing to a long-term extension, and the bigger issue remains whether he can hold up well enough as a run defender to keep his value high in the eyes of the front office. For a team trying to balance immediate needs with roster planning, that makes his situation one worth watching closely.
The trade talk gets more interesting because the Jets could be looking at a deal that fills another hole at the same time. Atlanta has been mentioned as a possible partner as the Falcons work through injury and uncertainty at pass rusher, and a swap involving McDonald could appeal if New York decides to pivot. Nothing has been finalized, but the idea of turning one lingering question into help at a different position is the kind of move that can linger around a team until the deadline of a decision finally arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Tim Patrick Could Be More Important To The Jets Than Fans Think
Tim Patrick arrived in May after the draft, and his value to the Jets may extend well beyond the usual search for another pass catcher. At 32, he brings a veteran presence to a receiving room that can use steadiness, and Adonai Mitchell has already singled out Patricks leadership and experience as traits that matter inside the locker room.
Patrick has also shown he can still produce in recent seasons, but what may really help him fit in with the Jets is the less flashy side of his game. His run-blocking stands out, and in a team trying to build a more complete offense, that kind of work can quietly make a receiver more important than his role on the depth chart suggests. [Read more 🡒]