Full Breakdown
Jets Trade Up in 2026 NFL Draft to Select Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
4/27/2026, 4:14:05 AM
Jets Trade Up to Draft Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
The New York Jets moved from the 128th overall pick to the 110th spot in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. To do so, they sent picks 128 and 140 to the Cincinnati Bengals and received a sixth-round selection (199) in return, positioning themselves to select Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Strategic Reasoning Behind the Move
Team officials said two other clubs were also interested in Klubnik, prompting the Jets to act before he could be taken later. The organization also expected external pressure to draft a quarterback in the fourth round, given the lack of a fifth- or sixth-round pick. The Jets anticipated that Miami’s Carson Beck and Penn State’s Drew Allar would be selected in the third round, which occurred, leaving a noticeable drop-off in quarterback talent after Klubnik, with the next quarterback, Cole Payton, not taken until the fifth round.
Draft Capital and Player Selections
The trade gave the Jets a sixth-round pick (199) that they used to stay active in later rounds. In the sixth round, they selected Miami guard Anez Cooper after another trade that moved them up 11 spots. The Jets also added kicker Will Ferrin as an undrafted free agent.
Personnel Evaluations and Coaching Input
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was described as a high-potential fit by the Jets’ new offensive coordinator Frank Reich. The team’s scouting staff expressed limited interest in LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who later fell to the seventh round and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Official Response and Critical Viewpoints
A Jets spokesperson said the trade preserved overall draft value because the sixth-round pick returned restored balance. Critics have questioned whether the cost of two fourth-round selections was justified for a quarterback projected to develop over several seasons.
Undrafted Free Agent Signings
After the draft, the Jets signed BYU kicker Will Ferrin and added several undrafted players: CB Mory Bamba (BYU), LB Kendrick Blackshire (UTSA), TE Chase Curtis (TCU), WR Caullin Lacy (Louisville), RBs Chip Trayanum (Toledo) and Sam Scott (Wyoming), and DT Sheffield (Rutgers).
Verbatim Quotes
- “If you had to pick one decision the Jets made in this year’s draft that was questionable, it was moving up 18 spots in the fourth round to take Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.” — Heather Khalifa, writer, New York Post
- “But the Jets believed there were two other teams that were targeting Klubnik, according to a source.” — Unnamed source
- “They went to Clemson to work him out and new offensive coordinator Frank Reich was high on Klubnik’s potential.” — New York Post, draft coverage
- “The other reported undrafted free agent signings are: BYU CB Mory Bamba, UTSA LB Kendrick Blackshire, TCU TE Chase Curtis, Louisville WR Caullin Lacy, Toledo RB Chip Trayanum, Wyoming RB Sam Scott and Rutgers WR DT Sheffield.” — New York Post, draft coverage
What’s Next
The Jets will involve Klubnik in offseason quarterback meetings and assess his progress during rookie minicamp. Additional roster moves will target depth improvements before training camp opens in late July.
