Jets insider reveals why lone 2026 draft pick remains unsigned

The New York Jets have just about every single member of their 2026 NFL Draft class under contract, except for one.

Of course, all three of the Jets first round-round picks have signed their deals, along with second-round pick D'Angelo Ponds, fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik, sixth-round pick Anez Cooper, and seventh-round pick VJ Payne.

The lone player to remain unsigned? Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr., who, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, is one of many fourth-round draft picks to remain unsigned this deep into the offseason.

Rich Cimini reveals why Jets rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. remains unsigned

On the Jets Collective show, Cimini revealed the reason why Jackson and other 2026 fourth-rounders aren't under contract quite yet, and when they may sign.

"I think from what I understand, they are just waiting. There is a cluster of guys at the top of the fourth round who haven’t signed yet. I think the Jets are waiting for some of those guys to fall into place. It’s obviously going to get done before training camp. No fourth-round pick is going to hold out of training camp. So it’s just a matter of time; I would not worry about it at all."

Rich Cimini

Cimini noted that while the negotiation is ongoing, there's no disagreement when it comes to the total amount of money on the contract.

When it comes to draft picks, their salary is based on what pick was used to select them, so Jackson already knows how much money is headed his way; the holdup is likely just about guaranteed money.

Hopefully, Jackson will get his contract situation figured out before the start of training camp. If any defensive linemen on the Jets roster need practice reps, it's him.

Of all New York's interior defensive linemen, Jackson is the youngest, and he's unlikely to play a major role for New York in his rookie season. That is, unless he proves it over the summer.

Ahead of him on the depth chart are Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, David Onyemata, and T'Vondre Sweat. He'll have to work hard to get a claim in that rotation.

In the meantime, hopefully his contract situation gets resolved sooner rather than later.

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