One of the Jets’ three first-round picks has signed his rookie contract to date, while some of the team’s Day 3 selections are on the books as well. New York has inked its only Day 2 pick as well.
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds has agreed to terms on his initial NFL deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. The four-year pact is worth $9.84MM. As Schefter adds, Ponds secured $8.95MM in guarantees. The matter of locked-in money for second-round picks was a significant storyline last year, and that is likely to remain the case in 2026.
Ponds began his college career at James Madison, spending one year there. He was among the players who followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana ahead of the 2024 season. A full-time starting role awaited him upon arrival, and Ponds was a productive member of the Hoosiers’ defense. Ponds racked up five interceptions and 21 pass deflections during his Indiana tenure.
That production helped him earn first-team All-Big Ten honors along with a second-team All-American nod in 2024 and ’25. Size was no doubt a concern for some NFL evaluators, but the 5-8, 180-pound Ponds was still viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s class. It thus came as no surprise when the Jets selected him 50th overall. Ponds will be tasked with handling slot duties at the pro level after working on the perimeter in college.
The Jets ranked 17th against the pass in 2025, head coach Aaron Glenn‘s first year as head coach. The former NFL defensive back will take on a larger role leading New York’s defense this season after the unit struggled in several other areas. A strong rookie campaign from Ponds would help bring about needed improvements this season and help him establish himself as core figure in the secondary.
The Jets also announced on Friday that guard Anez Cooper has inked his rookie deal. The sixth-rounder is thus on the books in time for rookie minicamp. Five members of the Jets’ draft class have now been signed, leaving three more to go.
Hopefully, he can nab a pick for the D!