The New York Jets got some real good news as training camp got underway: both of their top rookie draft picks are back on the field and taking full reps.
Cade Klubnik, the fourth-round quarterback out of Clemson, missed some time during OTAs with a back issue. And first-round tight end Kenyon Sadiq underwent hernia surgery earlier this offseason after the team decided to address a problem he’d been managing since his final year at Oregon. But according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, both players were out there practicing with the rest of the squad when camp officially started.
That’s a big deal for a Jets offense that’s trying to build chemistry fast. Sadiq, in particular, needs all the reps he can get to establish a connection with veteran quarterback Geno Smith. Tight ends usually take a little longer to adjust to the pro game, and missing spring workouts would’ve set him back even further. Now he’s got a chance to get on the same page with Smith before the preseason games start.
For Klubnik, it’s about locking down a role. The former Clemson starter is competing for the backup quarterback job behind Smith, and he’s up against Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook. The team hasn’t named a No. 2 yet, but Klubnik’s ability to stay healthy and make plays in camp could push him ahead. He’s also got some personal stability off the field — he just got married to his fiancée, Macey — and that kind of thing can help a rookie settle in.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was asked about Sadiq’s recovery and didn’t seem too worried. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Glenn said the team knew about the hernia issue going into the summer and opted to get it taken care of now rather than let it linger. That kind of proactive approach is what teams do when they’ve got a long-term plan for a first-round pick.
Neither Sadiq nor Klubnik is expected to be a day-one starter — Sadiq is still behind Tyler Conklin on the depth chart, and Klubnik is clearly third or fourth in line right now. But both guys are getting valuable first-team reps early in camp, and that’s usually a sign the coaching staff wants to see what they’ve got.
The Jets open the preseason in a few weeks. If these two stay healthy, they could make the roster decisions a lot harder for the front office.
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