New York Jets: Grading Every Draft Pick and Offseason Move

Updated Friday, April 24, 2026 (8:52p)

We are tracking, grading, and analyzing every move made by the New York Jets from the start of free agency through the end of the NFL Draft. As of now — they’ve made 4 draft picks, 4 trades, signed 8 free agents, and extended 10 of their own players.

DRAFT PICKS
The New York Jets have made four picks through the first two days of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh — with five more scheduled for Saturday.

Round 1 (2^nd overall) — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
I had David Bailey ranked fourth behind Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Arvell Reese, but I have no problem with this selection. The top 11 selections were so closely bunched, it came down to a matter of preference.  At the end of the day, only Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey’s opinions matter.

There’s no question that Bailey was the most productive pass rusher in college football this past season with 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 19 tackles for a loss. The majority of draft analysts felt he would be the best pass rusher on day one of his NFL career. The only negative was his coverage against the run. However, Glenn, who will be calling plays for the defense this year, didn’t agree, saying “I think he did a good when you watch him (against the run) at (Texas) Tech”.
Grade: B+

Round 1 (16^th overall) (Sauce Gardner trade) — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
After the combine, I became excited about the possibility of the Jets adding Kenyon Sadiq. He was unanimously considered the top TE in this year’s draft class and the only one with a first ground grade amongst the most popular draft analysts. 

He earned the nickname, “Sadiq the Freak”, with his play with the Oregon Ducks and his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Jets already have second-year TE Mason Taylor, but Sadiq has the ability to play slot, outside and in the backfield.

Then I read one column that threw me off the scent. Supposedly, new OC Frank Reich preferred traditional use of his TEs. Flash forward to Thursday night, and you can imagine my surprise when Roger Godell announced “Kenyon Sadiq” instead of “Makai Lemon” — and the happiest person in the Jets’ war room was old-school Reich!

On one hand, bad on me for not doing my own research. On the other hand, based on everything we’ve heard in the last 24 hours, it is legitimately possible that Reich’s vision for Sadiq will bring the Jets offense into the 21^st century.
Grade: A-

Round 1 (30^th overall) (Trade up with San Francisco) — Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
Darren Mougey traded up from #33, giving up pick #179, to grab a player that many draft analysts had mocked to the Jets at #16. The body control he showed on his catch-of-the-year highlight (game-winning touchdown catch in Indiana’s win against Penn State) reminded me of former Jet Santonio Holmes. 

Cooper is actually being compared to more physical, YAC kings like Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel , and Cooper Kupp. He’ll join Garrett Wilson and AD Mitchell in the Jets’ revamped WR room.
Grade: B+

Round 2 (50^th overall) (Trade down with Detroit) — D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Since the departure of Sauce Gardner, the Jets have compiled a solid CB room, but there’s not one player with star potential. Enter the  5’8 5/8”, 182-pound Ponds, who has the knack for big hits and big plays.

While some are concerned about his size, The Ringer’s Todd McShay has compared him favorably to Hall-of-Famer Ronde Barber. And, of course, many draft analysts have compared him to HC Aaron Glenn. For my readers born in 1990’s or later, Glenn was a three-time Pro Bowl CB for the Jets, Texans, Cowboys, Jaguars, and Saints before he got into coaching.

Ponds college coach, national champion Curt Cignetti said, “He might be the best player I’ve ever coached that was with me throughout his entire career in terms of consistency, production”. 
Grade: A

UPCOMING DRAFT SELECTIONS
The NFL Draft continues on Saturday, April 25 at 12n ET

1. Round 4 (103^rd overall)
2. Round 4 (128^th overall)
3. Round 4 (140^th overall) (Compensatory)
4. Round 7 (228^th overall) (Geno Smith trade)
5. Round 7 (242^nd overall) (Jowon Briggs trade)

TRADES

3-15-26
The New York Jets traded QB Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick. Holistically, this trade underscores the worst decision that Mougey and Glenn made in year one of their regime. Not just signing Fields, but not designing an offense to accentuate his elite running skills. Designed runs and roll-out options were used infrequently — and while many teams around the league dabbled in the “tush push”, the Jets ignored it.

IF the primary purpose of coaching is to put players in a position to succeed — Glenn and former OC Tanner Engstrand failed Fields just as much as he failed the Jets. However, trade grades are based solely on the trade itself. The fact that the Jets get another 2027 trade asset and will have Fields only cost $7m against the cap in 2026, as opposed to $10m, is a clear win for Mougey.
Grade A

3-10-26
The New York Jets traded a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for QB Geno Smith and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick. Glass half-empty — Smith turns 36 in October and is coming off a disastrous one-year stint in Las Vegas where he led the NFL in interceptions.

Glass half-full — in 2013 he was being asked to become the Jets savior, now he is being asked to bring a modicum of competency to the Jets offense until the future franchise quarterback arrives. 

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t want Smith in 2013, and I never envisioned a reunion. However, the Jets’ options were limited. QB Malik Willis wanted to join his former Green Bay Packers coach Jeff Hafley in Miami, and the rumored price to acquire QB Mac Jones from the San Francisco 49ers is at least a second-round draft pick. Therefore, while I’m not excited about Smith’s return, I understand.
Grade: C

3-9-26
The New York Jets traded a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for S Minkah Fitzpatrick — who subsequently agreed to a 3-year, $40m contract extension. The 29-year-old Fitzpatrick is a five-time Pro Bowler, and three-time All-Pro. He’ll solidify one safety position and tutor his fellow Alabama alum Malachi Moore at the other. 

Statistically, Fitzpatrick is not the ball hawk he was earlier in his career, but he is still a productive player. Acquiring a player of his caliber for a seventh-round draft pick is tidy work by Mougey.
Grade: B+

2-26-26
The New York Jets traded EDGE Jermaine Johnson II to the Tennessee Titans for NT T’Vondre Sweat in a deal that is a better scheme fit for both teams. Johnson, 27, made the Pro Bowl under Robert Saleh in 2023, and now joins HC Saleh and DC Gus Bradley in Tennessee. 

In New York, HC Aaron Glenn and DC Brian Duker are expected to play a base 3-4 and needed a player capable of playing over the ball. Sweat is three years younger, $13.4 million cheaper, and has two years left on his contract compared to one remaining for Johnson.

Despite the fact that Sweat may never become the consistent three-down player that Johnson showed before tearing his Achilles, I’m giving the Jets a high grade for a multitude of reasons: 1) The $13.4m savings made it easier for the Jets to retain Breece Hall (see below). 2) The top of the April draft is projected to be deeper at EDGE/OLB than DT/NT. In ESPN’s latest mock draft by Jordan Reid — Arvell Reese, David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr, and Sonny Styles go two through five. 3) The Jets gave up 139.5 rushing yards per game which placed them 29^th in the NFL. According to PFF, Sweat ranked fourth among all interior linemen against the run, and fifth overall.
Grade: B+

EXTENSIONS

3-13-26
The New York Jets resigned RB Kene Nwangwu to a 1-year, $2m contract. The 28-year-old has battled injuries in his two years with Gang Green but has been a dominant force as a kick returner when healthy. He’s averaged 36.2 yards per return with two touchdowns. Plus, he provides depth behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis in the Jets backfield. 
Grade: B

3-13-26
The New York Jets resigned S Andre Cisco to a 1-year, $5.25m contract. Cisco, 25, was signed a year ago to provide stability to the Jets secondary. However, he only played in 8 games before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury. Now, he’ll be competing for playing time with second-year-man Malachi Moore, and free agent signee Dane Belton.
Grade: C

3-13-26
The New York Jets resigned LB Mykal Walker and OT Chukwuma Okorafor. Walker, 28, had stints in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Washington prior to joining the Jets in 2025. He finished with 31 tackles in 14 games. Okorafor, also 28, also joined Gang Green last season and appeared in 14 games.
Grade: C

3-12-26
The New York Jets resigned OL Max Mitchell.  Mitchell, 26, served as the Jets’ “sixth-man” in 2025, being the primary backup at both guard and tackle spots, while also being used as a tight end in running situations. The former 2022 fourth-round draft pick has started 17 games in his NFL career.

Mitchell’s value can be summed up by the fact that he is being retained by his second GM (Joe Douglas, Darren Mougey), third head coach (Robert Saleh, Jeff Ulbrich, Aaron Glenn), and fifth play-caller (Mike LaFleur, Nathaniel Hackett, Todd Downing, Tanner Engstrand, Frank Reich).
Grade: B+

3-12-26
The New York Jets resigned FB Andrew Beck and OL Xavier Newman. These low-cost signings bring back two players familiar with Florham Park who bring depth and flexibility.

Beck, 29, was GM Darren Mougey’s first signing back on February 7, 2025, and he played in all 17 games including 319 special teams’ snaps. The versatile Newman, 26, has played both guard and center in his first three years with the franchise.
Grade: B

3-5-26
The New York Jets resigned TE Jelani Woods and exercised exclusive tender rights on DT Jowon Briggs and LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball.

The 27-year-old Woods flashed potential in 2022 for the Indianapolis Colts but has been struggling to get healthy since. Briggs, 24, was a revelation when he arrived last fall in a trade with the Cleveland Browns — producing 38 tackles, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble. McCrary-Ball, 26, was named a team captain prior to the 2025 season based on his attitude and special teams play. These were all low-cost, no-brainer decisions for Mougey.
Grade: B

3-3-26
The New York Jets retained RB Breece Hall by announcing that they were designating him with the non-exclusive, $14.293m franchise tag. This is a move that GM Darren Mougey signaled at the NFL Scouting Combine and had been encouraged by many of the NFL’s top pundits — including yours truly here and here. 

Consider the sheer number of holes that the Jets have to fill this offseason, the lack of playmaking skills on both sides of the ball, and the fact that the 24-year-old Hall is equally explosive in the passing and running game — this was also no-brainer.
Grade: A

FREE AGENTS

3-11-26
The New York Jets signed G Dylan Parham to a 2-year, $16m deal. Parham, 26, started 63 games for the Las Vegas Raiders after they selected him 90^th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Parham is the favorite to replace Baltimore-bound John Simpson as the Jets’ starting left guard. Along with the rest of the Raiders’ offensive line, he had a down year in 2025 but PFF still graded him as the 38^th guard among the 81 eligible.
Grade: B+

3-11-26
The New York Jets signed K Cade York. York, 25, was drafted 124^th overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He lasted only one season and has since kicked in only six games in the last three years. Our assumption is the Jets will add competition before training camp begins in July.

Meanwhile, the real issue is why did the Jets let K Nick Folk leave the building? While we don’t yet know what the Atlanta Falcons are paying Folk, we do know that he was a perfect 41 for 41 on kicks less than 50 yards in 2025 (field goals and extra-points). And yes, he’s lost a little boom in his 41-year-old right leg, but he was still 8 for 9 in kicks beyond 50 yards.
Grade: D

3-10-26
The New York Jets signed CB Nahshon Wright  to a 1-year, $5.5m deal. In retrospect, this is a signing we should’ve predicted. The 27-year-old had a breakout season with five interceptions — tied for most in the NFL by a cornerback, and second overall. Meanwhile, the Jets famously set an all-time record by recording zero interceptions in 2025.
Grade: B

3-9-26
The New York Jets signed DE Joseph Ossai to a 3-year, $36m deal. Ossai, 25, is a former third-round EDGE/LB who has had 14.5 sacks in 61 career NFL games. Considering the Jets are giving him $22.5m guaranteed, they are paying him based on his potential, not his results.
Grade: C

3-9-26
The New York Jets signed DE Kingsley Enagbare to a 1-year, $10m deal. The 26-year-old Enagbare was ranked as the 75^th best available free agent by Gregg Rosenthal from NFL.com, touting him as “a young edge player who creates havoc in the running game”.
Grade: C

3-9-2
The New York Jets signed LB Demario Davis to a 2-year, $22m deal. This is a move I foreshadowed in “Mac’s Picks for Week 16” on December 20, 2026. Here’s an excerpt of what I wrote:

When Aaron Glenn looks across the field this week, he’ll see something else his defense is missing. Veteran leadership. 36-year-old LB Demario Davis is still going strong for the New Orleans Saints with 123 tackles in his 14^th season. While the Jets defense is young and will be getting younger with their upcoming bounty of draft picks, they need to find their own Davis to finally replace CJ Mosley who retired in the offseason.

Could a reunion with Davis be in the cards? His contract is up at the end of the year, and he’s expressed a desire to keep playing. Plus, he has a fan in Glenn, a former Saints assistant coach.

“He is probably one of the best leaders that I’ve ever been around,” Glenn said. “Emotionally, man, there are a number of things I can say about that player because of how he carries himself. He’s a man of faith. I think he’s 37 (36) years old playing that position, and you hardly ever see that. So, nothing but respect for him. I love the player, and I love what he brings to the table.”
Grade: A+

3-9-26
The New York Jets signed DT David Onyemata to a 1-year, $10.5m deal. The 33-year-old veteran is also reuniting with Glenn after playing under him with the Saints. Pro-Football Focus (PFF) had him ranked as the 52^nd best available free agent coming off a season where they ranked him 8^th among all interior defensive lineman.
Grade: B

3-9-26
The New York Jets signed S Dane Belton to a 1-year, $4m deal. Belton, 25, will be switching locker rooms at MetLife Stadium following a four-year stint with the New York Giants. He will compete with second-year man Moore for the safety spot alongside Fitzpatrick.
Grade: C

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