Minkah Fitzpatrick has high praise for Jets draft pick D'Angelo Ponds

After trading away Sauce Gardner last year, the New York Jets' secondary left a lot to be desired in 2025. It didn't help that the injuries started to pile up, but there was a clear onus this offseason to add some more talent to the defensive back room.

The Jets added some veterans in free agency, but the real marquee pick-up was Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, selected with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

There are questions about Ponds' physical limitations as he steps into the NFL. He stands at 5-foot-9, and weighs 173 pounds, fairly small for an NFL player.

But what you can't measure is his football IQ, instincts, and heart, and according to Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ponds is already making his presence felt at OTAs.

Minkah Fitzpatrick says D'Angelo Ponds feels like a veteran already

Speaking with reporters after Tuesday's OTA practice, Fitzpatrick said he was incredibly impressed by Ponds, per Sports Illustrated's Nick Faria, even with such a small sample size.

"He can do a lot of different things. Has a high IQ for the game. He's willing to do whatever we ask of him. By the looks of it, he seems like he's been in this league for a minute by the way he conducts himself as a pro."

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Ponds, a 2025 national champion, is clearly already earning the respect of his Jets teammates, particularly the veterans.

Last season with Indiana, Ponds graded out as the eighth-best cornerback in college football according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed a 42.0 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks, broke up six passes, and hauled in one interception.

The major question as he enters the pros is where Ponds will be best utilized on the field. At 5-foot-9, he will likely be at a disadvantage when lined up on the outside against opposing receivers.

In all likelihood, Ponds will be best playing in the slot and maybe spending some time at safety. He's rangy and can get from sideline to sideline fairly quickly.

He'll have a great mentor to help him adjust to the pros in Fitzpatrick, entering his rookie season.

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