NFL analyst says Jets' hyped NFL Draft class could lead to award-winning 2026 season

The New York Jets continue to have praise for their 2026 NFL Draft class showered onto them, as the consensus in league circles seems to be that Darren Mougey managed to land four players who could be impactful long-term starters with top-50 picks just one year after landing Armand Membou and Mason Taylor.

The Jets plan to deploy No. 2 pick David Bailey and national champion cornerback D'Angelo Ponds at a variety of different spots on the defense, while a pair of first-round pass-catchers in tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. should be able to hit the ground running

CBS Sports' Mike Renner is expecting big things from this group, as Bailey, Sadiq, and Ponds all made his projected All-Rookie team at defensive end, tight end, and cornerback, respectively. Only Cooper did not make this team, though he could prove Renner wrong if he becomes the No. 2 wide receiver.

Bailey teamed with Tampa Bay's Rueben Bain Jr. for at edge in these projections (notably, Arvell Reese was not selected at edge or linebacker), while Sadiq stands alone at tight end. Ponds beat out names like Chris Johnson and Colton Hood to get the second cornerback spot next to Kansas City's Mansoor Delane.

3 Jets rookies named in CBS Sports' All-Rookie Team projections

The Jets are going to give Bailey a heavy diet of snaps and a way to rush the passer in just about every alignment they will use this season. In addition, head coach Aaron Glenn has stated that he believes Bailey's run defense, his biggest pre-draft question mark, is further along than many doubters postulate.

Sadiq will be splitting targets with Mason Taylor, especially as the Jets figure out how to get both of them on the field at the same time, but the crown jewel of a weak tight end class could be a weapon with the ball in his hands. He will likely compete with Philadelphia's Eli Stowers for the title of best rookie tight end.

Ponds will likely play inside as a nickel cornerback more than he does on the boundary due to his size limitations, but he has been an immensely productive collegiate player. His tackling, ball skills, and leadership should all translate to the NFL and boost an average Jets secondary.

While an elite 2022 NFL Draft class failed to produce many meaningful victories, Mougey is taking the approach that swinging on high-upside prospects with a better offensive foundation might be what gets this team turned around.

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