Pro Football Focus revealed the New York Jets' reason for optimism for the 2026 season.
According to Pro Football Focus, the New York Jets' 2026 draft class is the team's reason for optimism for the 2026 season.
In the 2026 draft, the Jets did pretty well. They selected David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., D'Angelo Ponds, Darrell Jackson Jr., Cade Klubnik, Anez Cooper and VJ Payne.
"On paper, they drafted well, and one rookie who could make an immediate impact is cornerback D'Angelo Ponds," Pro Football Focus wrote. "Ponds is projected to play primarily in the slot because of his size, but he proved he could hold up on the outside in college, earning 85.0-plus PFF coverage grades in all three of his collegiate seasons. He also allowed just a 42.0 NFL passer rating on throws into his coverage last season at Indiana."
Bailey had 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks for Texas Tech in 2025. He projects to be a stud for the Jets for years to come.
After the Jets drafted Bailey, the youngster was pumped to tell reporters what a sack does for him. NYJ clearly drafted a player with a high, high motor.
"Oh, man, I'm so glad you asked me about that feeling," Bailey said. "That feeling, it's like no other.. ... I have a lot of motivations for why I play the game and that's one of them, that feeling when you get a sack and the crowd is, you know, on your side, especially during a home game. But regardless home or away, it's one of the best feelings."
While all signs point to the Jets missing the playoffs again this season, Aaron Glenn's group shouldn't be the laughingstock of the league after a strong draft and offseason transaction cycle.
The Jets not only went 3-14 last season in Year 1 of the Glenn era, but they also became the first team in NFL history not to record a defensive interception and lose five straight games by 23 or more points.
In Year 2 of the Glenn era, the Jets face the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.
Before the draft, the Jets acquired Geno Smith from the Raiders, Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins and T'Vondre Sweat from the Titans and signed Demario Davis and Tim Patrick in free agency.
It will be fascinating to see how many games NYJ wins in 2026. The Jets are actually best suited to have a bad record again so they can have a high pick in the 2027 draft and select Arch Manning or Dante Moore.
If the Jets struggle again in 2026, could Glenn be fired? Only time will tell.
