The New York Jets selected a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the player was unlikely to compete with Geno Smith for the starting job this summer.
The first day of this year's draft was a great one for the Jets. With the second overall pick, they went with a safe option, taking talented Texas Tech edge David Bailey. Then at No. 16, he landed a potential game-breaker at the tight spot in Oregon's Kenyon Sedig. They then surprised many by moving back in Round 1 to select Indiana star receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
On the second day of the event, he received much praise when he used his only pick on Friday to get another star from the national champions, this time, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds. Heading into Day 3, there was one thing many Jets fans were hoping for, and that was for the team to select a young QB.
Well, he got one in Round 4, but he's not going to get Gang Green fans excited after his performance in 2025. With their second pick on Saturday, the franchise selected Illinois signal caller Cade Klubnik.
Cade Klubnik's regression from Heisman contender in 2025
In 2024, he had a breakout season in his sophomore year for the Fighting Illini. He threw for a career-high 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns to six interceptions. He also connected on 63.4 percent of his passes. That's why he was an early Heisman Trophy contender, and why Illinois was viewed as a team that could make serious noise in the Big Ten.
This past season was much different as he regressed and had only 2,943 yards and 16 TDs in two fewer games. While his completion percentage (65.6) had increased, his passer rating dropped by nearly 10 points compared to the previous year. Illinois improved from 10-3 in 2024 to 9-4 this past season.
Klubnik can make a lot of throws which he will need in the pros. However, he is a bit undersized (6-foot-2, 207 pounds), and his field vision was average. He could also use some work on his mechanics. Still, he has very good rushing ability and two years ago he ran for 463 yards and seven touchdowns.
Klubnik is a project and will not give Smith any serious competition for the QB1 job in training camp.
