S4 E3 2026 NFL Draft Jets Recap, Insights, Observations

Segment 1: Jets NFL Draft Insights and Observations (0:41) Key Observations: NFL execs believe the 2027 anticipated draft class will be special; despite all the trades, not one 2027 first rounder was traded Jets chose talented players with college football post-season experience, and focused on size with their OL and DL selections Priority of production over potential in many cases Not sure we have the right head coach, but we have the right GM Goal: come away with 4 starters and playmakers for the Jets...check No. 2 overall pick: Texas Tech Edge David Bailey (vs. Avrell Reese, Ohio State LB); Micah Parsons quoted Bailey was the right choice No. 16: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (only 4th TE taken by the Jets in first round) and No. 30 Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. provide much needed playmakers for one of the worst offensives in the NFL last season, and a crucial complement to WR Garrett Wilson; Sadiq explosive, versatile: 13 catches for 20+ yards at Oregon last season, chess piece for new OC Frank Reich, who likes using multiple TE sets No. 30: Omar Cooper, Jr. Team traded back into first round, providing 5th year option; led Big 10 with YAC, go-to weapon for college football champs and QB Fernando Mendoza No. 50 (after trade down from No. 44): Indiana CB D'Angelo Ponds. Only one penalty all season. Sure tackler against great competition; 7 INTs in college, blocked two punts; pick 6 against Oregon in college playoffs set the tone for Indiana's rout No third rounder (wince), in trade for former Eagles edge Haason Reddick No. 103: Florida State DT Darrell Jackson, Jr., 6'6" 315 lbs, part of reconstituted D line No. 110: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik, traded up 18 spots and gave up two 4th rounders...head scratcher. Nigel: Belichick model: draft QBs every year, develop and add depth. Neil: worth taking a flyer on him in 4th round No 5th rounder No. 188: Miami G Anez Cooper: played in national championship game, fellow OL Francis Mauigoa (brother of Jets LB) on right side drafted No. 10 overall by the Giants; very good pass blocker: allowed only one QB pressure and no sacks in over 500 pass plays; potential starter with RT sized body to play guard strong pick in 6th round No. 228: Kansas State S VJ Payne: 6-3, 206, good size for a safety, depth in safety room GM Darren Mougey had a plan and executed on it Segment 2: Good, Bad and Ugly Segment (39:30) Good: picks based on results on the field, not at combine; production not just potential, brought in talent playmakers that are winners, postseason experience; D line much better improved; desperatedly had to -- and did -- add WR talent (and TE); provided weapons for new QB Geno Smith Bad: Not much. Gave up too many picks trading up, no LB selected, though tough to address all needs in one draft Ugly: Bailey and Avrell Reese's careers inextricably links. Watch Reese be a superstar and help the Giants win Super Bowls...; trading up 18 spots for a likely backup QB Note: Omar Cooper Jr. played his entire college football career at Indiana. Fernando Mendoza played at Cal before Indiana. Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti coached at JMU (52-9 record), and brought some key starters to Indiana including star CB D'Angelo Ponds Segment 3: Who Had a Better Draft: Jets or Giants (50:13) Cards taking Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 changed the first round, so Reese fell to Giants at No. 5 Very close. Both very good, quality drafts Giants get Reese, No. 10 overall selection of Miami OL Mauigoa and 6-4 WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame Raiders and Browns had very good drafts Segment 4: (Semi-) Lightning Round (56:20) Jets GM Darren Mougey draft rating Best Jets draft pick: Sadiq (Nigel, HW) and Bailey (Neil) What people are not talking about they should: strong improvements on defense especially the D line and defensive backfield, Reich having weapons to work with...assimilating 10 new coaches 2026 draft class chance to be cornerstones and foundation for next several seasons Impact on NIL on college football players compensation vs. going into NFL draft and potentially less income and guaranteed money Great situation for QB Ty Simpson to learn behind future HOF Matthew Stafford and Rams Coach Sean McVay Do the Jets get out of the AFC East cellar, leapfrog the Dolphins?  AFC West talk, Broncos to revert back to mean (won most games in 4th quarter), KC question mark re: Mahomes injury, Raiders much improved, no one talking about the Chargers Segment 5: What Moves Should the Jets Make Before Training Camp (1:11) Signing vet QB, TE, deal with Breece Hall franchise tag See how shakes loose in training camp Never too many edge rushers April 2026: Vegas oddsmakers: Jets over/under number of wins: 5/5