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After a dismal 2025, the future is looking a little brighter for the New York Jets. They selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey second in the 2026 draft and had two more first-round draft picks – Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (No 16) and wide receiver Omar Cooper, from national champions Indiana, who they chose at No 30. We spoke to the trio during their first week at 1 Jets Drive.
What have been the biggest surprises about your first week in the NFL?
Sadiq: “My biggest shocker has been the practice style. In college, we’re hitting head to head, but here it’s a bit more controlled, slower tempo. I’m just getting used to it. Today I dove for a ball and they were like: ‘We’re not gonna do that in practice.’ That was definitely different. Everything’s a bit shorter – meetings, practice – but very efficient. In college, they walk through general detail, but in the NFL you’re expected to pick it up and learn quick.”
Cooper: “I would say the way every coach talks to everybody, being more vocal, and how there’s always somebody watching you. That would be the biggest difference.”
When you open up the Jets playbook, does it make sense to you? Are they similar to college, just with different names?
Bailey: “That’s a good question. The playbook is huge and I hear it’s going to be a lot but learning the first install [basic positions and plays] wasn’t too bad. They’re about the same as college.”
Sadiq: “No, it is definitely different. As a freshman at Oregon, it’s expected you’re going to pick up things a bit slower – they give you a bit of leniency. But here you’re expected to know. So I’m transitioning to that pro style, going over installs before we do them so I have an idea what’s going on before we get into the actual meetings.”
The Jets have 36 players on trial alongside all the rookies. With dozens of coaching staff too, how are you coping with meeting about 100 new people?
Cooper: “It’s reminded me of my freshman year at college. You just smile, be yourself and get to know the people around you. I’ve been trying to learn as many names as I can, but it’s going to take a while.”
Bailey: “They’re great players, even better people. I’ve been having fun with my position group, and meeting people on the defence and even on the offensive side of the ball.”
Sadiq: “I’m really trying to get to know everyone but I’m pretty bad with names, so it’s definitely a challenge. I’ll get it down the road for sure. It’s just too many for me! I don’t know too many other people. I played against David in the Orange Bowl but we haven’t even talked about that. I talked more to Omar about him and D’Angelo [Ponds, Indiana teammate and fellow Jets rookie] beating us twice!”
You’ve always been the best player in your teams but now every opponent will probably be the best you’ve ever faced. How will you step up?
Sadiq: “At his level your strengths are what will separate you in the end, but you have to minimise your weaknesses too. When I came in as a freshman, I was watching the way Bo Nix prepared, the way he went about his business – you could definitely tell he was at that pro level. I saw what it takes.”
Bailey: “I haven’t gone against any professional players yet, but I’m looking forward to that. I’ll need to knock off the detrimental tendencies that deterred me from having as much success as I could in college, tendencies I could get away with at that level. I need to make sure my coaches understand what they are so we get rid of them.”
Cooper: “I’m looking forward to competing against the guys that I watched on TV over the past few years. I’ll be watching film, seeing what they don’t like, or what works against them, and what they’re very successful at, paying attention to the little details and taking notes.”
Omar spent all his life in Indiana, David had only lived in California before a year in Texas, and Kenyon had never been to the east coast until last week, so is coming to NYC exciting?
Cooper: “Definitely. But I have family out here so, if I ever get homesick, which I highly doubt, I got family that’s down on the street. That makes it even better.”
Bailey: “I’m really excited that I’m not back in Southern California, where I’m from, or Texas, because I’ve experienced those things. I’ve been switching from environment to environment. They’re drastically different in their own ways, but that’s what life’s all about: experiencing new things and all types of people, weather, food, everything.”
Sadiq: “It’s pretty crazy because it happened so fast. But it’s a blessing to be able to live in different areas. My sister lives in New York so I’ll be getting to spend some time with her. She’s about to graduate from NYU; she’s been out here for four years now but I haven’t gotten out to see her. Hopefully I’ll be there for her graduation.”
It was common knowledge that David would join the Jets but, Kenyon and Omar, did you have any clue you would end up at the team?
Cooper: “I had 13 visits, and then Zoomed with almost every other team after that. I honestly didn’t know who was going to draft me. I didn’t have a say but, if you feel like you don’t want to go to a team, then you’re doing it for the wrong reason. You should feel blessed to even have the opportunity to play in the NFL. That’s how I was looking at it. Whatever team took me, I would have been very grateful.”
Sadiq: “Some guys have a good idea where they’re going. I definitely had a bit of an idea, but I could really have ended up in LA or anywhere.”
Your whole world has changed in a month. Could you be the heroes the Jets fans are desperate for?
Bailey: “I don’t know about hero, I just want to help as much as I can. I flourished in the last environment [at Texas Tech] but, like every sporting event since I was a kid, I was nervous at the beginning. I think it will be the same here. I’m going to be relying on the vets, who have a lot more experience and knowledge than me, to help me and the whole team out. It’s not going to be a one-man show. It’s going to be everybody working in unison to get the Jets where it used to be.”
Sadiq: “I’m taking it day by day. If you get too far out, I start forgetting things. So let’s just focus on the day you’re in.”
Cooper: “Honestly, it ain’t really hit me yet. It’s all a whirlwind. I’m just finding my feet. I try to always be nice to the fans, smile away, take a picture, have a conversation – hopefully I’ll do well and they’ll love me. That’s the goal.”
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