The New York Jets made a surprising move in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Cade Klubnik with the No. 110 overall pick. The decision quickly became one of the discussed picks of Day 3, especially given the team traded up with the Cincinnati Bengals to secure him.
Klubnik, who spent four seasons at Clemson Tigers football, entered the draft with a mixed evaluation profile despite flashes of high-end potential. His selection has sparked divided reactions across the NFL community, with some viewing him as a developmental upside play and others questioning the value of the move.
NFL World Has Mixed Reaction Over Jets’ Trade Up for Cade Klubnik
New York’s decision to move up in the fourth round raised eyebrows immediately, particularly because Klubnik wasn’t widely projected as a priority target at that stage. The Jets sent picks No. 128 and 140 to Cincinnati in exchange for No. 110 and No. 199, signaling a clear intent to land the QB prospect behind Geno Smith.
The reaction from analysts was immediate and varied. Some questioned both the player evaluation and the decision to trade up.
“Was very hard to evaluate anyone on that Clemson team, essentially everyone regressed, Cade Klubnik included of course. Definitely would not have been my top QB choice here, especially in a trade-up. The bar is ‘better than James Morgan.’ TBD if he clears it,” the Jets Press noted.
Was very hard to evaluate anyone on that Clemson team, essentially everyone regressed, Cade Klubnik included of course.
Definitely would not have been my top QB choice here, especially in a trade-up.
The bar is “better than James Morgan.” TBD if he clears it.
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) April 25, 2026
Others pointed out the broader draft context now that Klubnik joined the list of QBs selected ahead of LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who was often mocked earlier than his peers.
“QBs drafted before Garrett Nussmeier: Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik,” NFL content creator Bryce DeGroat posted on X.
QBs drafted before Garrett Nussmeier:
Fernando Mendoza
Ty Simpson
Carson Beck
Drew Allar
Cade Klubnik— Bryce DeGroat (@NFL_Convo) April 25, 2026
Still, some insiders maintained optimism about Klubnik’s long-term upside.
“Cade Klublik was thought of as a possible first-round pick during his career at Clemson. Tons of talent: will be a worthwhile project for Aaron Glenn and the Jets,” Jordan Schultz noted.
Meanwhile, questions about the Jets’ quarterback future surfaced almost instantly.
“Jets QB Room: Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik. Is Cade their future Franchise QB…Or will they take a QB early in 2027 ???” ESPN’s Sam Block wrote.
Jets QB Room:
• Geno Smith
• Cade KlubnikIs Cade their future Franchise QB…
Or will they take a QB early in 2027 ???
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) April 25, 2026
“Not the QB I expected — but they get their developmental backup,” Zack Rosenblatt added, suggesting the pick may be more about depth than immediate impact.
According to the live grades in PFSN’s NFL Draft HQ, the selection received a modest C- grade, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Klubnik’s projection. PFSN lead NFL draft analyst Ian Cummings provided a detailed breakdown of the QB’s profile on PFSN’s live Football Debate Club NFL Draft Show.
“You’re not looking at the strongest arm in the world. You’re not looking at the biggest quarterback in the world,” Cummings said. “Obviously, you see the measurements, 207 pounds, he’s a little bit skinnier for the position. You want to see him bulk up. If he does end up in a starting sort of role, even if it’s just in the short-term, if you take in so many hits, that’s a skinnier frame. You’re worried about durability potentially.”
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Cummings acknowledged that Klubnik showed promise during his peak season but noted inconsistency as a concern.
“In 2024, I was impressed with the accuracy and intelligence that he showed. It was a little more inconsistent in 2025, so the highs are there, but the consistency maybe is not quite where you want it to be. But I do like the Jets making a move for a young quarterback to sit under Geno Smith.”
He also emphasized the value of taking a low-risk gamble at the position.
“Take a swing at a guy in the fourth round; if it doesn’t work, so be it. I think he can still be a solid backup. I do want to speak candidly about Klubnik because he was my QB1 in the preseason next to Fernando Mendoza…But with Klubnik, even though he’s not the prototypical guy…I think the angle freedom, the arm elasticity, the off-platform freedom is very reminiscent of Bo Nix,” Cummings added.
However, he made it clear that processing ability will ultimately determine Klubnik’s ceiling.
“But the fact of the matter is QBs is about processing info. If you’re going to be considered as a starter, you need to pass a certain threshold as a processor.”
For now, Klubnik enters a developmental role behind Smith, giving him time to refine his game without immediate pressure.
