2026 NFL Draft: Grading Jets selection of Kenyon Sadiq 16th overall

There may not be many complaints about the New York Jets' first-round draft strategy come Friday morning. Two at-bat appearances... Two home runs...

After nailing the second overall selection by acquiring edge rusher David Bailey Jr., arguably the best pass rusher in the class, they doubled down and added perhaps the best tight end available. This isn't a drill. There's no need to adjust your monitors or restart devices. Kenyon Sadiq is the choice at 16.

The Jets already made history by going defense at No. 2 for the first time in the modern era, but Sadiq’s selection might be just as important. He isn’t just another piece. He's a potential centerpiece.

The 2025 Big Ten Tight End of the Year and a Second-Team All-American, Sadiq enters the league with the kind of résumé that suggests immediate contribution and long-term star potential. More importantly, he fills a real need. New York has searched for consistent production from the tight end position, and Sadiq offers something different.

He’s a mismatch creator. He can stretch the field, operate in traffic, and become a reliable target in high-leverage situations. For an offense still finding its identity, that kind of versatility matters. This is how you change a roster’s trajectory in one night.

The debate about his skill set and possible role will continue, but this is a great decision. It's hard to deny that Sadiq will arrive at Florham Park with tremendous upside. Pairing Bailey’s defensive upside with Sadiq’s offensive ceiling gives New York something it hasn’t had in a while: balance with star power.

This is how a team accelerates a rebuild. If both players develop as expected, New York may have just changed their future in a single night.

Grade: A+

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Grading Jets selection of Kenyon Sadiq 16th overall