Why Jets Selected David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq And Omar Cooper Jr. In First Round Of 2026 Nfl Draft

The Jets had an eventful first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

New York was already coming in with two picks, but the Jets wound up selecting three players after trading back into the first round. And GM Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn addressed their needs with all three selections, picking a pass rusher and a couple of pass catchers.

But the biggest debate of the draft was who the Jets would select at No. 2?

It was between David Bailey and Arvell Reese, and in the end, Gang Green chose the Texas Tech standout. Of course, it was the first question asked of the Jets once their first round was over.

"Both of those guys are really good players," Glenn said. "Arvell’s going to have a really good career in this league. But when you continue to evaluate those guys, we just felt Bailey fit us better. He’s a 6-4, 255-pound man with 34-inch arms that has a ton of production in college. We looked at all those things and he fits us."

A knock on Bailey was his run defense, but Glenn felt the criticism was overblown and that the No. 2 pick will thrive in his defensive scheme.

"He did a good job when you watch him at Tech. There’s some things he got to improve on just like any player coming in," Glenn said. "We have four edges, but with those four guys we have on the team, they’re going to be able to cause some damage for us. I’m looking forward to coaching those guys. He’s going to fit right in for us."

Reese went to the Giants at No. 5, but when the Jets were on the clock again to make the No. 16 pick, they went in a direction that caught many off guard. Instead of picking a wideout like Makai Lemon, they went with Oregon tight end, Kenyon Sadiq. With the team already having Mason Taylor on the roster, Mougey was asked whether the selection was a matter of just getting the best value pick at that time.

"Absolutely. Sadiq we spent a lot of time on and value as an offensive weapon and when he was there, it was a no-brainer to add another weapon to the offense," Mougey explained. "And [offensive coordinator Frank Reich] got a great vision for the player and how to use him in multiple ways and get into all personnels and do different things and just use him as another weapon and make it tough on defenses."

"We’re going to be able to dictate as far as the defense is concerned ... he brings that value to us," Glenn said of Sadiq. "There’s so many different positions he can play for us, that’s going to be able for us to open up the offense. Frank has a really good vision for this player. I’m looking good to going against this player during training camp. It will be fun."

Glenn was excited to add Sadiq to his tight end room. He hopes it gives quarterback Geno Smith another weapon and to be the "point guard" of the offense. He also points out that having multiple tight ends allows them to use different packages. Mougey and Glenn also lauded Sadiq's blocking ability, which was a question mark during the draft process.

Mougey called Sadiq a "great" blocker and said that the tight end's blocking ability adds to his versatility in the offense.

Trading back in for another pass catcher

The Jets made a splash, trading back into the first round to select Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr. 

Mougey and Glenn talked about the addition and what Cooper brings to the Jets.

"Omar Cooper was a guy we had good grades," Mougey said. "Add another weapon, a guy that’s got RACs, strong hands can insert block, has a little versatility, can play inside, outside. Feel really good about those two positions. We’re happy with the way it fell. The more weapons we have, the better chance we have on offense. Give defenses problems."

The rationale for the Jets to make the trade was simple. They have a player they want, they should do what they can to get them, and the only way they felt that would happen with Cooper was to not to wait for the second round.

But Glenn wanted to hammer home why the Jets selected Bailey, Sadiq and Cooper.

"They come from winning programs also. When you get a chance to bring that to your locker room, it speaks volumes," Glenn explained. "All those guys have done something in their career...Anytime you can bring guys with a winning background to your team, it only helps the morale of your team. To get three first-round picks, and the caliber of guys that we got. The personality, the mentality, the football character, all those things are huge to bring onto the team."