The Jets are trading up to the 10th pick in the fourth round (No. 110 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
The 110th selection originally belonged to the Bengals, who packaged it with a sixth-rounder (No. 199 overall) in exchange for a pair of fourth-rounders from the Jets (Nos. 128 and 140 overall).
Klubnik, 22, was a three-year starter at Clemson who had a promising 2024 season with an All-ACC honorable mention. He took a step back in 2025, lowering his draft stock and eliminating any perceptions of an NFL-ready passer.
The Jets, though, will not need Klubnik to start right away after trading for Geno Smith earlier in the offseason. Instead, the rookie will compete with Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe for the second- and third-string quarterback jobs in New York.
Klubnik does bring an NFL-caliber arm and good athleticism, giving the Jets a good base of physical tools to work with. He will not turn 23 years old until October, but still has three years as a starter under his belt, again indicating an appealing developmental trajectory.
However, Klubnik’s field vision and processing leave much to be desired. That will become even more of a disadvantage against increasingly complicated NFL defense that do their best to cloud the picture for opposing passers. He has time to develop in New York, but he may have to show the Jets something in 2026 to have a chance at a future starting job. Otherwise, the team is expected to target one of the 2027 class’ top passers.
Real head scratcher that they’d trade up for him instead of Nussmeier.
agreed
Agreed, except at this point I’m starting to figure Nussmeier’s medicals look rough.
Waste of a pick, oh well its just a 4th round selection
He went before nussmeier which is interesting.
They found a cyst on his spine that caused his oblique/back injuries last year
My guess is medical report would suggest they can’t fully remove the cyst due to location (spine) so there’s concerns he could suffer from chronic oblique back issues
If it was as simple as remove it he’s good minimal chance of reoccurs I’d he’d probably be gone by now so the medical a probably suggest an issue