What NFL Draft grades did the New York Jets receive in the 2026 first round?

We won’t be able to properly grade the results for at least two years. That doesn’t stop experts from weighing in immediately, though. Let’s take a look at instant Draft grades for the first round.

As always, remember that Draft grades are stupid…unless they praise the Jets. Mark Schofield (SB Nation) New York Jets – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech This is a solid pick Others are much lower on David Bailey than we are, because you see flashes where it clicks for him. While the majority of his 14 sacks this season came from a wide alignment where he was just able to win on pure athleticism and explosiveness, which will get tougher in the NFL, there were moments where you saw a true pass-rushing plan, where he won on a spin to the inside or used a counter move to get home.

The upside with Arvell Reese is hard to ignore, and might have been a better fit for a team that needs more than a year to truly turn things around, but this is a solid pick for a team that truly needed help on the EDGE Grade: B New York Jets — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregono This is a fascinating pick. Many believed the Jets would go wide receiver with their second pick here in the first round, with Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. a popular selection for them in mock drafts.

Instead they go with the athletic tight end in Sadiq, who has the potential to be a mismatch nightmare for NFL defenses. Adjusting to life in the NFL is often tough for young tight ends, but his athleticism will serve him well, and you can find moments where he handles the in-line blocking responsibilities fairly well. Watch him on the right side here against Indiana in the run game: While the Jets added Mason Taylor last year, you can start thinking of a 12 personnel package with him and Sadiq on the field.