The New York Jets addressed the cornerback position in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting former James Madison and Indiana standout D’Angelo Ponds 50th overall in the second round. After spending his freshman season with James Madison, Ponds transferred to Indiana in 2024. He had a strong 2025 campaign, recording 61 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, one pick-six, 11 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 15 games, earning First-Team All-Big Ten and Second-Team All-American honors. He ended his three-year college career, totaling 169 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, two pick-sixes, 33 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 41 games.
Because Ponds is considered undersized for an outside cornerback at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds, he is expected to transition to the slot in the NFL. As a result, he will compete against Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to fill the full-time role previously held by Michael Carter II.
New York Jets ink projected defensive starter with 4-year deal
Indiana Hoosiers, D'Angelo Ponds
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (5) reacts after making a stop Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
According to Adam Schefter, the Jets have signed D’Angelo Ponds to a four-year, $9.836 million rookie contract, with $8.694 million guaranteed. Spotracprojects his cap hits to be $1.788 million in 2026, $2.235 million in 2027, $2.682 million in 2028, and $3.129 million in 2029. If Ponds averages over 50% of snaps in his first three seasons or makes a Pro Bowl on the original ballot, he will qualify for a pay increase in Year 4 through Proven Performance Escalators.
Jets and second-round pick D’Angelo Ponds reached agreement today on a four-year, $9,836,918 contract that includes $8,694,359 guaranteed, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Dan Esteban.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2026
“Ponds is a productive perimeter cornerback trapped in a smaller body, but he’s not lacking in confidence or coverage tenacity. He’s tremendously competitive and winning seems to follow him at each stop. He matches press releases with good slide quickness and has the speed to stay in-phase as routes travel vertically. Eye discipline, instincts and trigger quickness fuel his zone work and catch disruption. Size limitations will likely push him to nickelback, where mismatches against bigger bodies and physical challenges from run games will test his playmaking/durability. Ponds is a likely Day 2 pick who will be an above-average starting nickelback in the NFL.”
He projects as an average starter.