Jets do most Jets thing ever in first round of NFL Draft

The Jets had a chance to keep it simple in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. They didn’t. New York used the No. 16 pick on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, a move that immediately had us like… “Yep. It’s still the Jets.” The Jets have been chasing offensive competence for years, and still decided to spend a premium pick on a position that usually gets overdrafted.

It’s not that Sadiq is bad. He’s talented. He ran 4.39 at the combine, and he produced 51 catches, 560 yards, and 8 TDs last season. The issue for me is value. Tight ends take time, and most don’t change games immediately unless they’re elite. The Jets just spent a mid-first like they’re certain.

MORE: Trey Benson trade sweepstakes following Cardinals pick of Jeremiyah Love

A Strong Start on Defense

The New York Jets got off to an excellent start in the draft, making a clear and impactful decision on the defensive side of the ball. Taking David Bailey at No. 2 looks like an A+ selection after he posted 14.5 sacks and a 21.3% pressure rate last season.

It’s the kind of pick that immediately upgrades a defense and gives the team a foundational piece moving forward. That part? No debate. It made complete sense.

Offensive Opportunity Missed at No. 16

But once you go defense that early, the expectation shifts. Pick No. 16 should have been about dragging this offense into the modern era. Instead, the Jets opted for a tight end, promoting him as a versatile weapon. That’s where things start to feel questionable.

To their credit, New York attempted to balance things out by trading back into the first round to select Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30. It’s not a bad move in isolation. But draft strategy isn’t just about individual picks—it’s about sequence and priority. And that’s where the criticism holds weight.