New York Jets Rookies on NFL Transition: Speed, Playbooks, and NYC Life
After a challenging 2025 season, the New York Jets are looking toward a brighter future. They selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft and added two more first-round selections: Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (No. 16) and wide receiver Omar Cooper from national champions Indiana (No. 30). We spoke with the trio during their first week at the Jets' facility to discuss the transition from college football to the professional ranks.
Biggest Surprises in the First Week
Kenyon Sadiq: “My biggest shocker has been the practice style. In college, we’re hitting head to head, but here it’s more controlled, slower tempo. I’m just getting used to it. Today I dove for a ball and they were like: ‘We’re not gonna do that in practice.’ That was definitely different. Everything’s a bit shorter – meetings, practice – but very efficient. In college, they walk through general detail, but in the NFL you’re expected to pick it up and learn quick.”
Omar Cooper: “I would say the way every coach talks to everybody, being more vocal, and how there’s always somebody watching you. That would be the biggest difference.”
Playbook Challenges: College vs. NFL
David Bailey: “That’s a good question. The playbook is huge and I hear it’s going to be a lot but learning the first install [basic positions and plays] wasn’t too bad. They’re about the same as college.”
Kenyon Sadiq: “No, it is definitely different. As a freshman at Oregon, it’s expected you’re going to pick up things a bit slower – they give you a bit of leniency. But here you’re expected to know. So I’m transitioning to that pro style, going over installs before we do them so I have an idea what’s going on before we get into the actual meetings.”
Meeting 100 New People
The Jets have 36 players on trial alongside all the rookies, plus dozens of coaching staff. Omar Cooper: “It’s reminded me of my freshman year at college. You just smile, be yourself and get to know the people around you. I’ve been trying to learn as many names as I can, but it’s going to take a while.”
David Bailey: “They’re great players, even better people. I’ve been having fun with my position group, and meeting people on the defence and even on the offensive side of the ball.”
Kenyon Sadiq: “I’m really trying to get to know everyone but I’m pretty bad with names, so it’s definitely a challenge. I’ll get it down the road for sure. It’s just too many for me! I don’t know too many other people. I played against David in the Orange Bowl but we haven’t even talked about that. I talked more to Omar about him and D’Angelo [Ponds, Indiana teammate and fellow Jets rookie] beating us twice!”
Stepping Up Against Elite Competition
Kenyon Sadiq: “At this level your strengths are what will separate you in the end, but you have to minimise your weaknesses too. When I came in as a freshman, I was watching the way Bo Nix prepared, the way he went about his business – you could definitely tell he was at that pro level. I saw what it takes.”
David Bailey: “I haven’t gone against any professional players yet, but I’m looking forward to that. I’ll need to knock off the detrimental tendencies that deterred me from having as much success as I could in college, tendencies I could get away with at that level. I need to make sure my coaches understand what they are so we get rid of them.”
Omar Cooper: “I’m looking forward to competing against the guys that I watched on TV over the past few years. I’ll be watching film, seeing what they don’t like, or what works against them, and what they’re very successful at, paying attention to the little details and taking notes.”
Adjusting to New York City Life
Omar spent all his life in Indiana, David had only lived in California before a year in Texas, and Kenyon had never been to the east coast until last week. Omar Cooper: “Definitely. But I have family out here so, if I ever get homesick, which I highly doubt, I got family that’s down on the street. That makes it even better.”
David Bailey: “I’m really excited that I’m not back in Southern California, where I’m from, or Texas, because I’ve experienced those things. I’ve been switching from environment to environment. They’re drastically different in their own ways, but that’s what life’s all about: experiencing new things and all types of people, weather, food, everything.”
Kenyon Sadiq: “It’s pretty crazy because it happened so fast. But it’s a blessing to be able to live in different areas. My sister lives in New York so I’ll be getting to spend some time with her. She’s about to graduate from NYU; she’s been out here for four years now but I haven’t gotten out to see her. Hopefully I’ll be there for her graduation.”
Draft Day Surprises
It was common knowledge that David would join the Jets, but Kenyon and Omar had less certainty. Omar Cooper: “I had 13 visits, and then Zoomed with almost every other team after that. I honestly didn’t know who was going to draft me. I didn’t have a say but, if you feel like you don’t want to go to a team, then you’re doing it for the wrong reason. You should feel blessed to even have the opportunity to play in the NFL. That’s how I was looking at it. Whatever team took me, I would have been very grateful.”
Kenyon Sadiq: “Some guys have a good idea where they’re going. I definitely had a bit of an idea, but I could really have ended up in LA or anywhere.”
Becoming Heroes for Jets Fans
David Bailey: “I don’t know about hero, I just want to help as much as I can. I flourished in the last environment [at Texas Tech] but, like every sporting event since I was a kid, I was nervous at the beginning. I think it will be the same here. I’m going to be relying on the vets, who have a lot more experience and knowledge than me, to help me and the whole team out. It’s not going to be a one-man show. It’s going to be everybody working in unison to get the Jets where it used to be.”
Kenyon Sadiq: “I’m taking it day by day. If you get too far out, I start forgetting things. So let’s just focus on the day you’re in.”
Omar Cooper: “Honestly, it ain’t really hit me yet. It’s all a whirlwind. I’m just finding my feet. I try to always be nice to the fans, smile away, take a picture, have a conversation – hopefully I’ll do well and they’ll love me. That’s the goal.”
