Fernando Mendoza just gave newest Jet D'Angelo Ponds the ultimate praise

The New York Jets managed to trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft and still took a player many thought would be off the board by the middle of the second round, as they used the No. 50 overall pick in the Draft to acquire Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds after a trade down with the Detroit Lions.

Ponds managed to get picked as high as he did despite an excessively diminutive frame at 5-9 and around 180 pounds on a good day. While some may doubt him, teammate and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza believes he is on track for stardom in the pros.

The No. 1 pick of the Las Vegas Raiders said that Ponds is the best cornerback he's played with or against in his career, adding that he is at the "top of the totem pole" and calling him a "game changer." If it's good enough for Mendoza, it's good enough for the Jets.

Jets CB D'Angelo Ponds earns strong endorsement from Fernando Mendoza

Ponds has often been compared to head coach Aaron Glenn, as both are undersized cornerbacks who used phenomenal athleticism and speed to make themselves into great players. Ponds' size is perhaps the only reason he was passed over on 49 separate occasions, as his tape is terrific.

Ponds has been able to be extremely productive as both a slot corner and outside playmaker despite his size. With tremendous production on the ball and only one penalty to his name, Ponds has been able to be a productive player despite all of the size limitations that are hurting him.

Ponds, who ranked as the No. 44 overall player on FanSided's Big Board, will need to show that his size won't be a limitation in the pros. Winning at that size against non-NFL athletes is one thing, but can he do it against players who can match his speed and quickness?

If he can, he could start as early as Week 1. With Ponds, Brandon Stephens, and Azareye'h Thomas all on the field at the same time and Minkah Fitzpatrick in a leadership role as a safety, the Jets will be much tougher to throw on.

Ponds has now received endorsements from top draft analysts, Glenn himself, and Mendoza. After a polarizing Day 1, the Jets made one of the more unanimously celebrated picks in the second round by bringing the Hoosiers' defensive sparkplug to New York.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow