Jets Trade Up for Klubnik, Boost QB Depth

On April 26th, the New York Jets made waves in the 2026 NFL draft by trading of 18 spots

in the fourth round to snack Clemson.

Quarterback Cade Clubnick at Pick 110.

They shipped their picks 128 and 140 to the Bengals, grabbing a sixth rounder at 199 in

return.

Folks are calling it a headscratcher, since Clubnick might have lasted to their original

spot.

Word is, the Jets jump because two other teams had eyes on him, and Lee Buzz had them

pegged to grab a signal caller on day 3 anyway.

No fifth or sixth for them originally, so they played it safe.

New offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, loved Clubnick's upside after a Clemson workout,

especially with Miami's Carson Beck and Penn State's Drew Auler.

Going in the third as expected, a sharp drop-off hit after Clubnick, with North Dakota State's

Cole Payton not coming off the board until the fifth.

The Jets passed on LSU's Garrett Newsmeyer, who tumbled to the seventh before the chiefs

took him.

Fans and analysts are split smart insurance or overpay?

Later, they wheeled and dealed again, moving up 11 spots in the sixth, to draft Miami

Guard and Nez Cooper.

Post-draft, they scooped undrafted gems like BYU Kicker, Will Farron, Plus Corner

Mori Bamba, Linebacker Kendrick Blackshire, and a few more skill.

Guys, this move locks in their QB room depth without burning future assets.

Burning up an intriguing battle-come, training camp.