Spring Grading Season

Spring has arrived, and it’s not just about students preparing for exams and dreaming of summer break. In the NFL, the 2026 Draft has been completed, and analysts are sharing their assessments, while fans engage in discussions that revolve around various consensus opinions.

Typically, draft grades focus on the methods each team employed during their selections, but ultimately, the real evaluation lies with the teams and the players as they settle in. Sure, we can speculate on how teams will utilize their picks, but it’s really up to the coaching staff to set these new players up for success through adequate planning and development. Moreover, players transitioning from college to the pros also face a significant adjustment—how well they adapt could significantly influence how they’re graded.

When revealing the final evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft, nine teams received an A grade.

• Cleveland Browns: A+
• New York Giants: A+
• Las Vegas Raiders: A
• New York Jets: A
• Carolina Panthers: A
• Dallas Cowboys: A
• Philadelphia Eagles: A
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
• Kansas City Chiefs: A-

Now, let’s think ahead a little. Which draft classes might take a turn for the worse once players actually step onto the field?

Considering the Jets’ 2026 Draft Class

There’s a fair amount of debate surrounding the Jets’ choices in the 2026 draft.

This is why it’s noteworthy.

The Jets essentially kicked off the draft by holding onto their second overall pick. With the Raiders set to select Fernando Mendoza, the Jets faced their first big decision: Texas Tech’s David Bailey or Ohio State’s Arbel Reese?

Even though many felt Reese had the brighter future ahead, the Jets opted for Bailey, who had more experience as a pass rusher. This was viewed as the “safer” choice, given that Reese had mostly played off-ball and would need time to adjust.

Two subsequent choices revealed the Jets’ true intentions for 2026 and beyond. Many expected them to grab another receiver at the 16th pick, with IU’s Omar Cooper Jr. being the favorite in mock drafts. General Manager Darren Mousey did sign free agent quarterback Geno Smith and chose Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadik.

That decision raised a few eyebrows, especially since the team added LSU’s Mason Taylor in the second round last year.

But clarity emerged when the Jets moved back into the first round, making a trade with the Miami Dolphins for the 30th pick. And guess who they took? Cooper.

So, what’s the plan? It involves a 12-man offensive setup, featuring Garrett Wilson and Cooper as the leading wide receivers along with two tight ends: Taylor and Saddiq.

This strategy could work, and here’s why. Football often follows trends. After years of offenses relying heavily on passing, defenses have reacted by creating lighter and faster personnel packages. However, that might be about to shift. The Los Angeles Rams leaned into larger packages last year, utilizing 13 players, and when they used this approach, they saw a notable increase in expected points added per play.

The Seattle Seahawks, winners of Super Bowl LX, also operated a significant portion of their offense with 12 players, achieving impressive results when they utilized this configuration.

This leads back to the Jets. They seem to be banking on the continuation of offensive growth, believing this draft class positions them ahead of the curve.

However, there are two key concerns.

First off, that trend might not hold. Defensive innovation persists across the league, and if coordinators discover ways to counter these larger personnel schemes, the Jets’ gamble could falter.

Second, while Geno Smith might be seen as a better option for the quarterback position, the version of him we saw previously isn’t exactly what we’ve come to expect from Seattle. The Jets also picked up Cade Klubnik on Day 3, but he might not be the long-term solution at quarterback, potentially forcing New York back into the quarterback lottery in the next draft. Although that class seems promising for now, we still have a long way to go before those players hit the field.

It’s clear that the Jets have their plans laid out on paper.

But, of course, plans can often fall short in reality.