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:
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
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.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
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.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
how we feeling about the Jets draft:
Rd 1: EDGE David Bailey
Rd 1: TE Kenyon Sadiq
Rd 1: WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Rd 2: CB D’Angelo Ponds— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select 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/WAg2ifWY0cpic.twitter.com/8NIXHYb1vL
— Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson (@CTM_Show) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
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
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
RD 2 | PK 50 – Jets: D’Angelo Ponds CB, Indiana
His 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
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
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
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
The Jets just drafted Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds
Never forget how he opened the CFP Semifinal 🏈 pic.twitter.com/xO7OdTbtjQ
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
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 HIT
We got our hound dog @DangeloPondsspic.twitter.com/hQEpoDgdo5
— Mikey O’ver (@MikeyOver1) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
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
— PFSN (@PFSN365) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
The Jets had four top-50 picks and produced an elite class this year:
David Bailey
Kenyon Sadiq
Omar Cooper Jr.
D’Angelo Ponds pic.twitter.com/MLs5xsDb1G— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
Outstanding pick by the Jets. D’Angelo Ponds is an elite playmaker.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 25, 2026
Reactions: Jets select CB D’Angelo Ponds
Love the #Jets Draft thus Far
I absolutely hate small players. You’ve gotta be exceptional and a total 🐕 for me to LOVE you at 5-9 175 pounds.
I absolutely LOVE D’Angelo Ponds CB Indiana
— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) April 25, 2026
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: National reactions: NFL sees hidden gem in Jets’ pick D’Angelo Ponds