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 head 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 would be selected by 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."