Aaron Glenn provides update on Jets' forgotten seventh-round draft pick

The last New York Jets selection of the 2026 NFL Draft was Kansas State safety VJ Payne, and according to most draft analysts, it was quite the steal.

The 22-year-old defensive back had a fourth- to fifth-round grade, according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler. New York landed him in the seventh round. Pretty good value from general manager Darren Mougey.

Despite that, there have been very few updates on Payne throughout the offseason. In fact, there wasn't a single update on the rookie during training camp, that is, until Saturday.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn revealed that the 228th overall pick in this past April's draft is likely to be out for a few weeks as he recovers from a bone bruise.

New York Jets rookie VJ Payne out for several weeks with bone bruise

Speaking with reporters after Saturday's practice, Glenn provided the first update on Payne that fans have likely heard this offseason.

"The one evaluation that we did get news on was VJ Payne. He has a pretty good bone bruise, and he'll be out about three to four weeks. A player that was playing real well for us, and we expect- he's really building a role for himself, right, but he'll be fine."

It's good to hear that Payne does have a timeline to eventually return, but any missed time for a young player is never good. This is valuable practice time that the rookie needs to continue developing.

Glenn says the young defensive back is building a role for himself, but that exact role remains unclear. It's unlikely that it will be on defense, considering the veteran depth ahead of him.

Minkah Fitzpatrick will be one of the Jets' starting safeties, of course, and Andre Cisco, Dane Belton and Malachi Moore will be competing for the spot opposite him.

Payne was already behind the eight-ball as a rookie, and he'll now be even further behind as he rehabs from his bone bruise.

Perhaps Payne can still make an impact as a special teams contributor. The Kansas State product ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

That speed could be a big help on punt and kick return coverage, and allow him the time he needs to develop into a long-term option at safety for New York.

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