The New York Jets rolled the diced on their only pick on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft and selected Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds.
It remains to be seen if Gang Green sees their decision to take Ponds is praised when he's on the field once next season begins.
As it pertains to off of it, the Jets are already seeing tons of praise thrown their way by the NFL world for taking Ponds after their trio of first-round selections on Thursday.
Here is a national media reaction roundup to the Jets picking Ponds at the 2026 draft:
D’Angelo Ponds is the player that many execs and scouts LOVED but believed he was too small to take early. Productive draft for Jets continues.
D’Angelo Ponds is the player that many execs and scouts LOVED but believed he was too small to take early. Productive draft for Jets continues.
how we feeling about the Jets draft:Rd 1: EDGE David BaileyRd 1: TE Kenyon SadiqRd 1: WR Omar Cooper Jr.Rd 2: CB D'Angelo Ponds
The Jets land @StevePalazzolo_’s favorite prospect in the draft — Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds.Here’s why he loves the prospect 👇 https://t.co/WAg2ifWY0c pic.twitter.com/8NIXHYb1vL
— Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson (@CTM_Show) April 25, 2026
Newly drafted Jets CB D’Angelo Ponds might have the best highlight reel in the entire draft class 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pLxGSv1uWZ
— Underdog NFL Draft - Josh & Hayden (@UDFootballShow) April 25, 2026
RD 2 | PK 50 - Jets: D'Angelo Ponds CB, IndianaHis 83 NGS production score led all 2026 CB prospects, which lines up with a résumé that includes 32 career PBUs and seven INTs. The Jets defense did not record an interception in 2025 and ranked 32nd in EPA against the pass. pic.twitter.com/oylfhinM1T
Summing up the Jets draft class so far:David Bailey (our #1 prospect)Kenyon Sadiq (our #10 prospect)Omar Cooper Jr. (our #8 prospect)D’Angelo Ponds (our #3 prospect)Already one of the best draft classes we have seen in the last 7 years. pic.twitter.com/BzlSy9Bg0O
— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) April 25, 2026
The Jets just drafted Indiana CB D'Angelo PondsNever forget how he opened the CFP Semifinal 🏈 pic.twitter.com/xO7OdTbtjQ
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) April 25, 2026
The NY Jets just had the pick of the draft Love everything about D’Angelo Ponds Everyone that says he’s undersized doesn’t know ball He’s a tone setter and a culture setter And the best part, that MF LOVES TO HITWe got our hound dog @DangeloPondss pic.twitter.com/hQEpoDgdo5
D’Angelo Ponds might lack ideal size, but he has some ELITE traits. 🐶PFSN gives the Jets an A+ for the pick. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/dwskvFwIGy
The Jets had four top-50 picks and produced an elite class this year:David BaileyKenyon SadiqOmar Cooper Jr.D’Angelo Ponds pic.twitter.com/MLs5xsDb1G
Outstanding pick by the Jets. D’Angelo Ponds is an elite playmaker.